KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – After a tough outcome against No. 1 Texas, No. 17 Tennessee football is on to Auburn with better attention to details remaining the focus. The overwhelming talk after the last result has been geared toward the 10 sacks allowed by the offensive line and Faizon Brandon’s second-guessing. While Brandon can’t control what the line does, his decision-making has to catch up to the speed of the game.
The Southeastern Conference brings a different getup to the game, unlike playing Furman, Kennesaw State and even Georgia Tech. Monday, I asked head coach Josh Heupel about Brandon adjusting to the speed of the game because that is a real thing and can be hard to settle into when you are facing an elite defense.
“You’re playing a really good opponent that’s really good up front and athletic on the back end,” Heupel said. “The game is moving a little bit faster. I talked about that last week a little bit. He’ll adjust to it. I think Saturday, man, we don’t like the result, but he’ll be better for it moving forward. Continued growth.”
Brandon and the rest of the Vols’ offense need continued growth. The offensive line has been talked about a ton, and I even feel like I am beating a dead horse. But it all starts with them, and nothing on the offensive side of the ball will be successful without solid play up front.
However, a major part that has to find a way against a good Auburn defense this week is the run game.
Tennessee was a dominant running team in the first three weeks of the season, averaging just under 299 yards per game. Then, that number took a dive as Texas held the Vols to 70 yards at 1.6 per carry. While that also starts up front, the running backs have also missed some opportunities.
“Ultimately we’ve got to go execute,” Heupel said Monday. “We’ve got to create movement. Backs have got to see it, hit the hole and finish plus-two on the back end of it. It’s all parts working together.”
It basically comes down to vision and physicality for the running back group. DeSean Bishop has been a physical running back, but after getting banged up against Kennesaw, he exited early and finished with 42 yards on nine carries with a touchdown. Against Texas, he carried the ball 11 times for 34 yards with 7 yards being his longest carry. Saturday should be an opportunity for him to get back in the groove of things.
Monday, Daune Morris was asked about the run game struggle last week, and much like the message Heupel voiced, it takes everyone.
“It takes all 11, so I can’t say it’s just one person or one thing that just stood out to me, but it takes all of us to be able to fit in the run game and do everything that we need to do,” running back Daune Morris said.
With Bishop’s style of running and the change of pace to Morris, Saturday should have the makings to be a better day on the ground. Auburn’s run defense allows 127 yards per game and allowed 243 yards on 53 carries to Florida. They also have a familiar face on their defensive staff in Tim Banks, who was Tennessee’s defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2025 and knows the Vols’ tendencies well.
The forecast may call for Tennessee to lean on the ground game more. It looks to be a wet weekend in Knoxville, which may affect how things shake out. Either way, they have to lock in, exploit the opportunities they are given and focus on the details. Morris spoke heavily on that Monday.
“Just understanding that it’s SEC play,” Morris said. “Everybody’s good. So the talent is gonna set apart, but also your details are the main thing that’s gonna help us in this league.”
Tennessee and Auburn kick off Saturday, Oct. 3, at 3:30 p.m. EDT on ESPN. Bob Wischusen and Louis Riddick will be on the call with Stormy Buonantony on the sideline.
