Razorbacks vs Volunteers Email Exchange

In preparation for this Saturday’s game with Tennessee in Knoxville, I reached out to one of the editors of All for Tennessee, Caleb Calhoun. We answered each other’s questions about the upcoming game, and about the teams. Both Tennessee and Arkansas have not lived up to their preseason hype, and the game in Neyland has turned into a must win situation for both teams. Here are my questions in italics, and Caleb’s answers are in bold. You can see my answers to his questions by clicking right here. Enjoy!
1) First off, I’d like to say I’m sorry for how this season is treating you. I sympathize. Would you like some bourbon? I keep a lot in stock.

Bourbon would be nice. As a matter of fact, I propose a drinking game for all Vols and Razorbacks fans Saturday: a shot of Bourbon every time there is a highlight shown from one of Arkansas’s losses, and a shot of Jack Daniels every time there is a highlight shown of one of Tennessee’s losses. That way, neither fan base will be too sick to realize their season is a complete loss if their team loses. They’ll just be sick in another way.

2) We both have coaches in their third season, and neither coach has lived up to the fan’s expectations for this year. Do you think Butch is on the hot seat?

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Butch Jones should be on the hot seat, but he is not for a multitude of reasons. For starters, he is a great salesman, and honestly, the pieces are in place for the program to turn the corner. They just have to close out games. He is still coaching a very young team, and the recruiting has gone so well that he has a case to see it through four years at least.

That being said, his terrible coaching decisions in close situations should put him on the hot seat. No matter how good Tennessee can get, they will always be in close games. Not understanding how to manage the clock at the end of a game, not knowing when to go for two, and basing everything on preparation with no ability to think on the fly in the game are huge concerns. If the Vols miss a bowl game this year, Jones could be fired. If they have simply a repeat of last year, he will be on the hot seat next year. But right now, he is not on the hot seat.

3) What part of the Razorbacks team do you see Tennessee being able to exploit in Saturdays game?

Since their 48-13 win over UTEP in which they forced three turnovers, Arkansas has a minus-three turnover margin, and they have had five turnovers the past three games, two in each of the past two games.

Meanwhile, Tennessee has a plus-five turnover margin and has turned the ball over only twice this season, and one of them was on a desperation third and long pass in overtime. One of Butch Jones’s biggest strength has been Tennessee’s ability to take care of the football, while Arkansas has gotten worse in that regard under Bret Bielema the past three weeks. That could be Tennessee’s biggest asset.

4) What part of the Tennessee team do you see being a problem when matched up with the Hogs?

Tennessee has a superstar at outside linebacker in Jalen Reeves-Maybin, but outside of that they can struggle at the middle linebacker position. Arkansas can exploit that with their offensive line and Alex Collins.
As far as options Tennessee has at middle linebacker, Colton Jumper is flat-out terrible, but to be fair he is a walk-on who is in over his head. Darrin Kirkland Jr., a freshman, is the other option, and he has a ton of potential to eventually become a superstar, but he is still extremely young. His inexperience will be great for Arkansas to exploit with its running game and elite offensive line.

5) What are your keys to victory for the Volunteers? What must you avoid doing to keep from losing?

Tennessee must continue to take care of the football, use its massive defensive tackles to get a push and stop the run as much as possible, and learn to get off the field on fourth down. They also need to keep the tempo up on offense to maximize their possessions because Arkansas will obviously try to limit those with ball-control.
Meanwhile, Butch Jones and Co. need to make sure they can handle tight situations late in the game and avoid coaching not to lose. Perhaps avoid playing prevent defense for the second straight week and bring pressure on a quarterback you know has struggled. But far be it from me to suggest Tennessee do the obvious at this point.

6) What should visiting Arkansas folk do/see/eat while in town?

Older Arkansas fans are probably familiar with Knoxville given that the two teams played each other every year from 1992 to 2002, but for those making the trip, it should be a three-city stop. The minute they cross over the Mississippi River into the state, they obviously enter Memphis and should eat lunch downtown. Places like Blues City Cafe and Rendezvous are obviously hot spots, and they should bring their appetites. They could also stop by the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid right off the bridge, which is in the former Memphis Tigers and Grizzlies basketball arena and is shaped like a pyramid.

The next stop should be in Nashville, and you can check out the Country Music Hall of Fame and eat dinner at Arnold’s Country Kitchen, a great soul food restaurant. That covers Memphis and Nashville, and the best part is both stops are right off the interstate on the way to Knoxville.

In Knoxville, fans can check out the old city in downtown Knoxville, which has a nice bar and restaurant scene, but the best spot to eat is at Calhoun’s right along the Tennessee River behind Neyland Stadium. They have the best steak in the state of Tennessee.

7) Finally, let’s hear a score prediction.

Tennessee will pull this one out 31-24. The Vols and Razorbacks clearly don’t know how to win close games, but this game will be close, so something’s got to give. Tennessee is better at taking care of the football, and the Razorbacks will have multiple turnovers to cost themselves the game.

You can follow Caleb on Twitter @CalebCalhoun.

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