As we will do throughout this football season, HawgBeat went behind enemy lines to gain insight on the No. 4 Tennessee Volunteers from VolReport Managing Editor Noah Taylor.
Led by fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel — the 2022 SEC Coach of the Year — Tennessee is off to a 4-0 (1-0 SEC) start in 2024.
The Volunteers started their season with a dominant blowout over Chattanooga before going on the road to defeat then-ranked No. 23 NC State, 51-10. Tennessee then welcomed Kent State to Neyland Stadium, where they defeated the Golden Flashes, 71-0. Tennessee's most-recent victory came at then-ranked No. 15 Oklahoma.
Starting for head coach Josh Heupel's squad at quarterback is redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava, who has completed 61-of-88 throws (69.3%) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions in four games.
In two games against Power Five competition (Oklahoma and NC State), Iamaleava finished 29-of-44 on throws (65.9%) with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee boasts the nation's No. 1 total defense (176.0 yards allowed per game) and it ranks No. 2 in scoring defense ( 7.0 points allowed per game) and No. 1 in defensive third down conversion percentage (17.0%).
Here is what Taylor had to say about Saturday's matchup, which is set to kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT at Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville...
1. What key areas did Tennessee improve on to jump from a nine-win team a year ago to a College Football Playoff contender this season?
Taylor: "It's nearly impossible to talk about improvement with this Tennessee team over the last year without mentioning the defense. The Vols were good up front the last two years and returned much of their defensive line from 2023, including edge rusher James Pearce Jr. and the linebacking corps was expected to improve after dealing with injuries a year ago.
"The secondary was still the biggest question mark entering the season after relying on a lot of youth late last season and some experience was added from the transfer portal. They're as complete as they've been on all three levels.
"The offense carried Tennessee to a near playoff berth in 2022 but the defense was a liability. Now, it's what makes the Vols a legitimate championship contender. The offense has improved with Nico Iamaleava at quarterback, there's been virtually no drop off in the run game with Dylan Sampson now the headliner there.
"The wide receivers, particularly Dont'e Thornton Jr. have shown flashes. I expect the offense to be a factor, but this defense has been the biggest key for Tennessee so far."
2. Everyone knows about Nico Iamaleava and James Pearce Jr. Who are some unsung heroes for Tennessee on both sides of the ball?
Taylor: "Tyre West has been stellar at defensive end. He has 2.0 sacks and 3.5 TFLs through four games and appears to be the next star player on Tennessee's defensive line. Last year it was James Pearce, who is still affecting games though it hasn't necessarily shown up on the stat sheet. But West has probably been the biggest surprise on that side of the ball.
"Offensively, the three tight ends--Ethan Davis, Holden Staes and Miles Kitselman--have played a big role. The Vols haven't had as much depth there in the last couple of season, but they're taking advantage of it now. Tennessee runs a lot more 12 personnel than it did the last three years and all three players have at least one touchdown catch through four games."
3. Did Josh Heupel call back the dogs against Oklahoma, or did the Sooners exhibit some things defensively that Arkansas can replicate? If so, what are they?
Taylor: "I think Tennessee let the foot off the gas for a couple of reasons in the second half against Oklahoma. The defense was dominant and though Oklahoma was able to find a little bit of pulse in the second half with the quarterback change, it just never really felt like the Vols' lead was in danger.
"Tennessee was also down two starting tackles in John Campbell Jr. and Lance Heard and after a couple of first half turnovers, I think Heupel didn't feel the need to risk anything trying to be too aggressive with a relatively comfortable lead.
"Turnovers have been a bit of an issue. Nico Iamaleava has coughed the ball up two times after the pocket collapsed and has two interceptions. If the offensive line is still banged up, that could be something the Razorbacks try to exploit."
4. Arkansas QB Taylen Green has struggled to find consistency behind an improved but still below-average offensive line, how do you think the Hogs' offense matches up against a Tennessee defense that ranks No. 1 in yards allowed per game?
Taylor: "I think it was expected that Oklahoma had a slim chance to have a lot of success against Tennessee's defense, but I thought earlier in the season that NC State could give them fits with a veteran quarterback and a couple explosive playmakers. None of them were really a factor in that game.
"It's hard to see a team having much success on this defense right now. I do think that Green's ability to be mobile and of course Ja'Quinden Jackson, will present some challenges that the Vols haven't really faced yet."
5. What's Tennessee's health like off the bye week, and are there any roster battles to watch for the Vols?
Taylor: "The two tackle positions are ones to watch right now as far as injury. Obviously we'll know more when the player availability reports come out and go through the week. Heard, who is the starter at left tackle, missed the last two games and right tackle John Campbell Jr. exited the Oklahoma game early and did not return.
"Josh Heupel said earlier this week that he anticipated having those two available. Back-ups Dayne Davis and Larry Johnson played both spots in their absence and had mixed results."
6. How do you think this game will play out, and do you care to give a score prediction?
Taylor: "Playing on the road has been a kryptonite for Josh Heupel's Tennessee teams at times, but I think this team has shaken that persona. There is no glaring weakness defensively right now.
"Even though the offense wasn't crips against NC State and Oklahoma, the Vols still managed to win by multiple scores because of the defense and I think that trend will continue. Tennessee will hit on a few big plays, but the defense will ultimately carry them."
Score Prediction: 41-17, Tennessee
