Keys to Success for Arkansas Versus Tennessee

The off week for Arkansas was fairly quiet. No one lost their job…. Wait, wrong program, this is Arkansas. They were last seen on the side of the highway, broken down. With the week off, there are many questions that need to be answered. While we will ask and hopefully receive an answer, there needs to be success for Arkansas. With that, we present our keys to success for Arkansas versus Tennessee. 

Keys to Success for Arkansas Versus Tennessee

Get Your Motor Running 

Ok, to start, we may or may not be making reference to the classic from Steppenwolf, “Born the be Wild” with the title. We are discussing the first key to success, which is to slow down the Vols’ breakneck speed offensively. We are referring to the entire game, if possible, but Josh Heupel gashes teams in the first quarter. The Vols have outscored opponents 636-216 under Huepel in the first stanza. Since 2018, no active FBS head coach has scored more points in this quarter in a career than Heupel, who has 1,083 points. 

This season, Tennessee has outdueled opponents, 93-16, which is tops in the FBS. For Arkansas to be successful, this key starts on the first defensive drive for the Hogs. The Vols have scored on 13 of their 17 offensive drives in the opening quarter. In a week of influx, the Razorback defense will have more eyes than the new man on the headset. This season, the Vols have scored in two-and-a-half minutes or fewer on their opening drive. In these drives, the scores came from three touchdowns and two field goals, and have been done in four of the five games this season.  

If these numbers and times are not daunting enough, this season has been historic for Tennessee scoring points. Entering the game against Arkansas, Tennessee has scored 255 points. This breaks the previous record of 234, set in 2022 in Huepel’s second season. These records began being recorded in the 1933 season. In deeper research, we learned the 1915 team scored 303 points through its first five games. Since the 1933 recordings, Heupel teams hold the top three points scored in program history. The first key is perhaps the most challenging. 

Pressure Up Front

The second key to success for Arkansas versus Tennessee is to get pressure on the Vols. Similar to the first key, this will be a challenge. The Tennessee offensive line has a new look, yet it is potent following the departure of four starters. Cooper Mays, the new starter at center for the first time since the 2021 season, brings an All-American talent as the anchor. 

Along with Mays is Notre Dame transfer Sam Pendleton. The redshirt sophomore has started five games this season and has not allowed a sack in his 21 FBS career games played. Another transfer, Wendell Moe Jr, from Arizona, started 27 games for the Wildcats from 2022-2024. Entering the season as the most experienced lineman at right guard, Moe has also started all five games this season and has yet to allow a sack in 24 consecutive games. 

This trend continues across this offensive line for the Vols as redshirt freshman Jessee Perry has also started all games and been flawless on sacks allowed with zero. Closing out this elite line is David Sanders Jr., the first true freshman to start on the line since the 2019 season, when Darnell Wright and Wanya Morris both started. Despite injuries sidelining Sanders, he saw action late in the fourth quarter on the road against Mississippi State as he played 11 snaps. For Arkansas to be successful in this key, they will have to do something no one has: sack the quarterback. Entering the game, Tennessee ranks third in the SEC and eleventh nationally with 0.80 sacks allowed. 

 Score Points 

We know, this sounds easy. If you have watched this team recently, this has been an issue, especially in the second half, for playcaller Bobby Petrino. For the Hogs to win, this repair needs to be patched up at least. With this, Arkansas will need to balance offensively to keep a talented Vols defense on its heels. How talented is the Vols defense? Well, the secondary ranks fourth in conference with 26 passes defended, with 22 pass breakups and four interceptions. The pass breakups sit them at third in the conference. This unit has been replenished with transfers such as Colton Hood from Colorado. Hood makes an instant impact as he has five pass breakups, which is tied for the lead in the SEC. 

If the secondary was not enough, this unit tackles well. Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks has made a name for aggressive defenses that make a living in the backfield. Since his arrival in Knoxville in 2021, Banks’ defenses have 437 tackles for loss. This leads the SEC in that stretch. 

Stay Upright

This season, Tennessee has 41 tackles for loss, which is third in the conference. This pressure is also applied to the quarterback. In 2025, Tennessee recorded 21 sacks, which is tied with Oklahoma for the lead in the SEC and also tied for second in the nation. 

For Arkansas to score, Taylen Green must remain upright. For a Vols team that averages at least three sacks a game, this will be the focal point of the offense. To score points, which has not been done as of late, the Arkansas offensive line must control the trenches. If so, and Arkansas can have any resemblance of a running game, this game has the ingredients to be special. If not, and the offense continues to sputter, this could be a longer game than versus Notre Dame. 

In closing, the backs of the Razorbacks are on the wall. With many changes taking place, many fans of Arkansas are hoping for the days of old, while others are just wanting improvement. Either way, this road trip is one that is not easy. Let’s not forget this is a redemption game for the Vols following a 19-14 loss in Fayetteville last season. As a head coach, Josh Huepel is 9-2 after an open week. In Knoxville, this record is 4-1, and all-time, the Vols are 86-50 after open dates. For Arkansas to have success against Tennessee, the three keys above will need to grade well. Can Arkansas go on the road and get a massive upset? We will soon find out.