Tennessee’s 3-Headed Monster Faces Georgia Test

Bishop was the starter in Tennessee’s first two games and is RB1. Bishop is second in rushing with 150 yards and one TD. Averaging 10.7 yards per carry, Bishop is explosive as a runner and tough to tackle. Bishop is also a weapon in the passing game with two catches for 44 yards.

Thomas, a physical back, leads the No. 15 Vols (2-0) in rushing with 161 rushing yards and three TDs. Thomas has blended in well with his new teammates, specifically Bishop and Lewis.

“We’re really, highly competitive,” Thomas said to the media after a spring practice. “No egos. We all feel like we got something to prove. I know losing Samp last year, coming in I knew how big that would be. So we know the burden on our shoulder.”

In fall camp, Heupel praised Thomas’ growth from spring until the Vols’ first scrimmage.

“Just his body, his movement, explosiveness,” Heupel said after the scrimmage. “His physicality with the ball and without the ball. Some of the details and fundamentals that it takes—pass protection, special teams as well. He’s done an elite job from end of spring ball to where we are practice eight.”

Lewis, the third part of the three-headed monster, is a speed back with good size. At 6-foot-1 and 210 pounds, Lewis combines a strong physique with track speed. Lewis is third on the team in rushing with 57 yards and two TDs. The threat that Lewis can break a long run at any moment makes him dangerous for opposing defenses.

Tennessee’s Kryptonite

But up next is an animal unlike Syracuse or East Tennessee State, it’s the No. 6 Georgia Bulldogs (2-0). Heupel has yet to beat Kirby Smart’s squad and if there ever was a chance for that to happen, this year seems to be the best chance.

Georgia’s starting quarterback, Gunner Stockton, is making his first true road start. Neyland Stadium is not the place to introduce your QB to a hostile crowd. Georgia’s run defense is ranked No. 15 in the country, surrendering 61.5 rushing yards per game. Tennessee’s offense is a much higher level of competition, so the Dawgs will be tested in Knoxville.

However, in his four seasons at Tennessee, Heupel’s teams have averaged just over 100 rushing yards per game. Last year’s 146 yards were the most Smart’s defense has given up to Heupel’s offense. That number needs to improve even more if Tennessee is going to win.

Heupel has been able to beat Alabama and Florida, two of Tennessee’s long-time, troublesome rivals. But Georgia always seems to give Tennessee fits. The last Vols win was in 2016, and the last one at Neyland Stadium was in 2015. To come out victorious, Aguilar and the passing game will need to be near perfect to open up the running game. The defense will need to create a few turnovers as well as minimize any momentum that creeps toward Georgia’s side.

However, what Tennessee needs the most is for the three-headed monster to lead the way if they are going to break both losing streaks to the Dawgs. If the Vols can rush for over 200 yards on Sept. 13, the likelihood of a Tennessee win skyrockets.