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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The ball will be in the air Saturday. The critical question for Tennessee’s secondary is, how often can they make sure it falls harmlessly to the ground?
Texas A&M quarterback Trevor Knight has thrown 181 passes in five games — second-most in the SEC and almost 10 more per game than Vols QB Joshua Dobbs. The Aggies are averaging 264 passing yards — third in the SEC. Tennessee is allowing 211.8, sixth-fewest in the league.
So, what gives? Will Tennessee’s secondary be able to slow down Knight and arguably the league’s best receiving corps?
Tennessee rallied to beat Florida and Georgia in the past two weeks, but both were able to stretch the field and make plays deep on the secondary.
Texas A&M has four players with 100-plus receiving yards through five games, and one is not highly-touted Speedy Noil.
Josh Reynolds leads the Aggies with 399 receiving yards, followed by Christian Kirk’s 272. Each has caught three touchdown passes, too. Ricky Seals-Jones has 175 yards and Jeremy Tabuyo 149. Noil has caught six balls for 84 yards, but one went for a touchdown.
Kevin Sumlin is known for offense and play-makers. The Aggies led the SEC in scoring in 2012 and 2013 and are third this season, averaging 39.2 points per game.
Whether throwing long or short, Sumlin’s system identifies and exposes mismatches. Butch Jones is well aware of the challenge awaiting his Volunteers in the school’s first game at Kyle Field.
“They already have three SEC wins, are averaging 40 points a game and averaging 520 yards per game,” Jones said. “They have a very physical offensive line, skill all over the place at the running back and at the wide receiver positions. I think Trevor Knight has really changed their offense. He’s managing their offense. He can hurt you with his arm. He can hurt you with his legs. They’re just a complete football team.”
Knight is no stranger to Tennessee and Jones. While at Oklahoma, the graduate transfer quarterback played the Volunteers in 2014. In the 34-10 win over Team 118, Knight was 20-33 for 308 passing yards and one touchdown. Knight also threw one interception.
Much has changed since then. Obviously Knight transferred to A&M, but the Vols’ secondary has been remade as well. In 2014, LaDarrell McNeil, Brian Randolph and Justin Coleman were the main players in the secondary. Todd Kelly Jr. also played as a freshman and will bring experience in playing Knight once again Saturday.
The Vols will be without standout Cam Sutton, but will have Kelly Jr., Micah Abernathy, Emmanuel Moseley, Rashaan Gaulden, Malik Foreman, Justin Martin, and Baylen Buchanan. There’s no doubt that this secondary is much faster and plays play tighter coverage than what Knight faced from Team 118.
They’ll need to. So far in 2016, Knight has connected with 12 receivers for at least a 10-yard reception. Knight has connected with eight receivers for a 20-yard reception or more, and has had five receivers reel in a 40-yard or more catch.
Josh Reynolds leads the SEC with 219 receiving yards on passes traveling 20+yards downfield pic.twitter.com/MOZUWvMF1C
— Vinnie Ronca (@VinnieRonca) September 29, 2016
What makes the Aggies so dangerous is Knight doesn’t always need to throw the ball 40 yards to get 40 yards. The Aggies excel in space and are capable turning screens into scores.
Ricky Seals-Jones makes an entire D look silly. Let's hope he puts it all together in '16 #tamu #nfldraft https://t.co/6HJzSyVDQh
— Top Pick Scouting (@TopPickScouting) July 9, 2016
First year Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop will have his hands full Saturday when his secondary faces Knight and the Aggies that will be sure to stretch the field on the Volunteers.
The question will be if the more athletic players in the Tennessee secondary can play Knight better in coverage than what the signal caller faced two seasons ago.
Dan Harralson covers Tennessee football for SaturdayDownSouth.com. Follow Dan on Twitter @danharralson.
