No. 4 Tennessee football is rested and ready for another SEC game. This week, they hit the road to face the Arkansas Razorbacks in Fayetteville. Although Tennessee is a clear-cut favorite, here are some players who could pose a challenge to the Vols.
Quarterback Taylen Green
Taylen Green, a redshirt junior and Boise State transfer, has quickly become the Razorbacks’ go-to signal caller. After starting 12 games last year with the Broncos, Green brought his dual-threat ability east to Fayetteville where he became a staple of the Razorbacks’ offense. During his past two years at Boise State, Green threw for 3,794 yards and 25 touchdowns while adding 1,022 yards and 19 scores with his legs.
Green has been solid this year, completing just over 54% of his passes for 1,236 yards, five touchdowns and five interceptions. He is Arkansas’ second-leading rusher, totaling 331 yards and four scores.
After a close loss to Texas A&M last week, the Razorbacks are emphasizing helping their quarterback.
“I think to take the pressure off of the offensive line and our quarterback, we have to run the ball a bit more,” Arkansas head coach Sam Pittman said. “Get the ball out of his hands so we can build some trust between him and the offensive line. He’s got to get better, and the offensive line’s got to get better.”
This improvement will be tested Saturday night as the Razorbacks face one of the top defensive fronts in college football.
Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong
Wide receiver Andrew Armstrong will pose a significant challenge this week as he goes against the Tennessee secondary. Armstrong, a second-year Razorback and a Biletnikoff Award watchlist member, has made an impact since he got to Fayetteville.
In his inaugural season as a Razorback, Armstrong started all 12 games. He led the team in receptions with 56, receiving yards with 764 and touchdowns with five — establishing himself as a key contributor for Arkansas.
This season, Armstrong has continued to be a go-to target, totaling 29 catches for 420 yards. Although he’s moved Arkansas’ offense, he has yet to find the end zone in the 2024 season.
Arkansas is expected to take a more balanced approach this week, but they will still rely on Armstrong to move the chains through the passing game.
Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr.
Linebacker Xavian Sorey Jr. will pose a complicated test for the Vols’ offense. The redshirt junior is no stranger to SEC competition since he spent the first three years of his career with the Georgia Bulldogs.
After starting two games for the Bulldogs and appearing in another nine, Sorey needed a fresh start and more playing time.
He headed for Arkansas, looking for a bigger opportunity to play. This season, he’s started all five games for the Razorbacks, leading the team with 32 total tackles along with a sack.
Sorey has been an anchor for the Razorbacks this year, stepping up as a leader after four of their linebackers transferred in the offseason.
This week, Sorey’s leadership and skill will be challenged when Arkansas is matched up against the SEC-leading Vols’ run game, led by Dylan Sampson. Containing Tennessee’s run game will be one of the toughest task of the season so far and an important factor in deciding the outcome of the game.
