SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know about Arkansas State at Tennessee

• Scouting Report: Arkansas State Red Wolves at Tennessee Volunteers
• Bold Predictions: Arkansas State at Tennessee Volunteers
• Arkansas State at Tennessee: Player of the game and final score predictions
• 5 players to watch for Tennessee against Arkansas State
• Tennessee Pre-Game Pulse: Week 2

TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

Players to watch:

• QB Justin Worley
• RB Marlin Lane
• WR Marquez North
• WR Von Pearson
• LB A.J. Johnson
• LB Curt Maggitt
• CB Cameron Sutton

Freshmen to watch:

• RB Jalen Hurd
• WR Josh Malone
• TE Ethan Wolf
• DE Derek Barnett
• CB Emmanuel Moseley

Keys for Tennessee:

• Contain Fredi Knighten. Much like Keeton, Knighten presents an imposing threat on the ground and through the air. The Vols will need to bring a strong pass rush for the second consecutive week. A.J. Johnson will play a vital role in spying the mobile quarterback. Jalen Reeves-Maybin will also need to see a repeat performance following a 10 tackle game in Week 1.
• Justin Worley needs to have a repeat performance in Week 2. The senior enjoyed a career day against Utah State and will need to prove his consistency for the Vols to be a serious contender. With a talented group of wide receivers, Worley has plenty of options in what looks to be an improved pass attack.
• Avoid penalties in the trenches. Tennessee’s inexperienced offensive line was flagged five times in the first half. The Vols made adjustments, seeing a penalty-less second half outside of an early third quarter false start call.
• Two headed monster at running back. Tennessee has a reliable veteran in senior Marlin Lane and a talented freshman in Jalen Hurd. Both running backs possess size and speed to wear down defenses and provide a perfect complement to one another. A strong running game will open up the passing attack for Worley and the receivers.

Vols’ glaring weakness to watch: Special teams. Butch Jones made no bones about his disappointment in his team’s special teams unit. Tennessee still hasn’t decided between Aaron Medley and George Bullock at kicker. Punter Matt Darr rolled his ankle in Sunday’s win, but should see the field Saturday. However, Tennessee did capitalize on a forced fumble by Johnson on the ensuing kickoff following its first touchdown to set up its second score.

ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES

Players to watch:

• QB Fredi Knighten
• RB Michael Gordon
• WR Tres Houston
• WR J.D. McKissic
• LB Xavier Woodson
• CB Sterling Young
• S Rocky Hayes

Freshmen to watch:

• WR Dijon Pachal
• DE Ja’Von Rolland-Jones

Keys for Arkansas State: 

• Fredi Knighten. The Red Wolves will need to avoid seeing a repeat of the dual-quarterback bust vs. the “Orange Swarm” defense. Knighten runs a fast-paced offense that will look to take the young Vols off guard. He has the tools to give Tennessee some fits on the ground and through the air.
• Michael Gordon needs to bring a second option in the rushing game. For Knighten to succeed, he will need a strong performance from his starting running back. Together, the duo will be able to throw off the defense and give Arkansas State a different dynamic.
• Pressure the quarterback. Tennessee’s offensive line is inexperienced and Justin Worley struggles against the rush.
• Counter a strong receiving corps. Arkansas State has two preseason Thorpe Award watch list nominees in Sterling Young and Rocky Hayes. They will need to have big performances against a talented group of Tennessee wideouts that saw a combined for 273 yards and 23 receptions.

Red Wolves’ glaring weakness to watch: Defensive End- The Red Wolves will start freshman Ja’Von Rolland-Jones at defensive end against a growing Tennessee offensive line.

• Tennessee’s wide receivers vs Arkansas State’s defensive backs: Both groups possess talented players with lofty preseason expectations. The Vols have a strong depth chart at wide receiver while the Red Wolves have two Thorpe watch list nominees.
• Fredi Knighten vs Tennessee’s front seven: Tennessee’s linebacking corps has plenty of experience to make up for its defensive line. Fredi Knighten will look to do what Chuckie Keeton couldn’t against an improved Volunteer defense.