Keeping Volunteers focused in the moment will be the challenge for Josh Heupel.
If Tennessee plays Texas Saturday night, the Volunteers aren’t going to have a lot of fun.
If they remember that they’re facing Kennesaw State, the game should go well.
The logic is: Be present where your feet are. Be focused on the current challenge. Texas, which is set to visit Neyland Stadium Sept. 26, will be in town soon enough.
For now, Josh Heupel’s challenge is to keep his team engaged in the task at hand.
You don’t have to look any further than LSU’s game with Louisiana Tech last week. It should have been easy, especially the way the Tigers dismantled Clemson the week before. However, LSU seemed to be looking ahead to today’s showdown with Ole Miss and struggled to pull out a 45-14 win over Louisiana Tech.
During his tenure in Knoxville, Heupel has been pretty good about keeping his team grounded in the present rather than floundering in a future that won’t be as exciting if the Vols don’t really take care of business.
Watch for Tennessee to improve on its penalties. Having 14 for 142 yards against Georgia Tech is way too much if the Vols plan on staying in the game with the heavyweights — and even middleweights — they’ll see in the Southeastern Conference.
Another particular area to keep an eye on will be the rotation at tight end — if there is one. After losing Ethan Davis last week with a season-ending knee injury, the inexperience with the Tennessee offense is considerable. Sophomore DaSaahn Brame is the best bet to be the next man up. If a second tight end is used, it’s like to be South Alabama senior transfer Trent Thomas. After that, who knows?
That’s what a game like this is for: To see who can contribute when the bullets are live.
Tennessee 52, Kennesaw State 6
THEO COLLI: Tennessee 58 Kennesaw State 7
The non conference schedule for No. 15 Tennessee is almost done, but not before a return back to Neyland Stadium for a matchup against Kennesaw State, who is coming off of their first loss of the season against Georgia State. All things considered, it should not be much of a contest if the Vols play their cards right, while it gives the opportunity for Faizon Brandon to right back the ship after an up and down game last week.
CALEB JARREAU: Tennessee 45, Kennesaw State 14
The Vols should have no trouble with the visiting Owls before all attention turns to Texas.
TREVOR MCGEE: Tennessee 55, Kennesaw State 6
I think the offense will come out firing and put 42 first-half points on the board, then the foot will come off the gas. Tennessee has an important game next week, so getting out healthy will be key.
JACK GLENNON: Tennessee 34, Kennesaw 7
This one is another straightforward contest for Tennessee. The Volunteers rushing attack, led by DeSean Bishop and Daune Morris, should dominate the trenches once again behind a strong offensive line.
