This Saturday’s game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the UMass Minutemen should give the Big Orange an opportunity to find out more about their second-tier players. UMass is struggling mightily out of the gate at 0-4, and with the Vols trying to get their minds right after the bitter Florida loss and also prepare for an even more important game next week against the Georgia Bulldogs, the game plan for Tennessee should be to seize control early and get their backups in quickly for an extended look.
Here’s a quick look at UMass’ strengths and weaknesses, along with the Minutemen to watch.
UMass strengths and weaknesses
| Statistic | National Rank |
|---|---|
| First Downs Offense | 3 |
| Passes Had Intercepted | 16 |
| Passing Offense | 19 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct | 32 |
| Passing Yards per Completion | 39 |
| Team Passing Efficiency | 56 |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct | 62 |
| Completion Percentage | 64 |
| Total Offense | 68 |
| Red Zone Offense | 91 |
| Scoring Offense | 103 |
| Rushing Offense | 118 |
| Tackles for Loss Allowed | 126 |
| Sacks Allowed | 129 |
From this, it would appear that for all of its problems, the UMass offense is pretty good on first down and is not bad at all in the passing game. That said, their numbers scream “ONE DIMENSIONAL.” If that’s the case, the Vols’ defense should be able to contain the run game and then tee off on passing plays. Tennessee’s defensive line should have a good day wreaking havoc behind the line of scrimmage, as the Minutemen are giving up A LOT of sacks and TFLs.
| Statistic | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Red Zone Defense | 65 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 67 |
| Team Sacks | 74 |
| 4th Down Conversion Pct Defense | 77 |
| 3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense | 78 |
| Total Defense | 88 |
| Scoring Defense | 92 |
| Team Passing Efficiency Defense | 92 |
| Passes Intercepted | 93 |
| Team Tackles for Loss | 95 |
| Rushing Defense | 102 |
| First Downs Defense | 120 |
Not that the Vols should pound their chest about it much, but the UMass defense starts off at mediocre and gets worse from there. Tennessee’s run game should be able to control this one out of the gate, and when it is time to pass, they should be just fine.
| Statistic | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Blocked Kicks Allowed | 1 |
| Blocked Punts Allowed | 1 |
| Blocked Kicks | 14 |
| Kickoff Returns | 68 |
| Kickoff Return Defense | 90 |
| Net Punting | 91 |
| Punt Return Defense | 103 |
| Punt Returns | 110 |
| Statistic | National Rank |
|---|---|
| Fewest Penalties Per Game | 39 |
| Fewest Penalty Yards Per Game | 62 |
| Turnovers Lost | 71 |
| Fewest Penalties | 86 |
| Fewest Penalty Yards | 101 |
| Turnover Margin | 102 |
| Fumbles Lost | 104 |
| Turnovers Gained | 123 |
Again, not much to worry about here for the Vols.
Players to Watch
If the passing game is the thing to watch, then it all starts with junior quarterback Andrew Ford, who is 90-of-140 for 1,204 yards and six touchdowns after four games so far this season. He’s thrown only one interception.
Ford does a good job of spreading the ball around to his three favorite targets: senior tight end Adam Breneman (24 receptions for 369 yards, but no touchdowns), junior running back Andy Isabella (20 receptions for 306 yards and three touchdowns, and sophomore wide receiver Sadiq Palmer (17 receptions for 239 yards).
When they’re not passing the ball, they’re handing off to junior running back Marquis Young, who’s rushed for 225 yards this season on 60 carries. He’s had four touchdowns, and he’s also caught 12 passes for 71 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, senior lineman Da’Sean Downey has three sacks and three tackles for loss on the season. The team’s leading tackler is senior linebacker Bryton Barr, and the secondary’s best defender so far appears to be sophomore Isaiah Rodgers, who has three pass breakups and an interception.
If the NCAA’s official field goal stats can be trusted, freshman kicker Michael Schreiner is 0-4 so far this season. He’s also only had one touchback on 17 kickoffs, so watch for Ty Chandler or whoever else is back there to maybe have a big day returning kicks.