Coach Josh Heupel and Tennessee fans celebrated a win over Alabama two weeks ago. Now he hopes to get a second straight win over Kentucky this Saturday. (Tennessee Athletics Photo)
Maybe Tennessee fans don’t seem overly concerned about beating Kentucky Saturday night and the Las Vegas oddsmakers have the Vols as almost a two touchdown favorite. However, Tennessee coach Josh Heupel tried to slow down the Tennessee hype train just a bit on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.
“We understand the type of opponent we are playing. A good football team that does a nice job in all three phases,” said the Tennessee coach. “Offensively, great quarterback, some weapons on the outside, special running back, and we have to do a great job of being extremely physical on the defensive side of the football.”
“Defensively, what we will see from them is very multiple in their looks. Top 10 in scoring defense, top 15 in total defense. Special teams, they have made some big plays. Dynamic returner that can change the game at any time. They are coming off a bye week; they will be healthy. Our preparation has to be urgent.”
Heupel obviously is worried about Kentucky quarterback Will Levis, who helped UK score 42 points against the Vols last year when Tennessee won 45-42 in Lexington. And even though the Vols beat Alabama, they did give up 49 points in that win to Alabama quarterback Bryce Young two weeks ago.
“Will has got great arm talent and can push the ball vertically and horizontally. You have to extend all field zones when you are playing against him. He is a great decision-maker, and I think he has complete command of what they are doing offensively,” the Tennessee coach said.
“He does a lot of things for them in the run game on early downs. He does a great job with the play-action pass. He does have some weapons out on the perimeter, and you definitely don’t want to let those guys get started.”
Tennessee’s secondary has dealt with injury issues the last few weeks and Heupel is hoping to be close to full strength there this game.
“For us, defensively on the coverage side of it, we seem to be more disciplined in our zone coverage, pattern reading, and thinking. When we are doing man, we have to do a better job of matching them out and pressing them out,” the Tennessee coach said.
“Same when we are in press coverage and the same when we are in off-coverage. There are opportunities for us to do that and be better. The last piece of it is always all 11 together; we have to do a better job of applying pressure and getting to the quarterback.”
3 Responses
Followed his career while at UCF – if he were playing the Little Sisters of the Poor he would position them as NFL ready.
He is indeed an offensive genius – if we could keep them from scoring on their first offensive touch ( almost impossible ) we could quite the mouth breathing crowd a bit – that would be a great start !!!!!
If we play our best game we can win.
The only way KY wins is keeping Tn off the field. That means ball control. Seven and eight minute drives for touchdowns ; and we have to score when we have to opportunity. As good as our defense can be, TN will score touchdowns and quickly. A couple of pick sixes wouldn’t hurt.
Well Cats had ball for 46 minutes last year … and Tennessee still got 45 points