No. 4 Tennessee looks to remain among SEC leaders when the Vols visit an improved Arkansas squad
Arkansas running back Ja'Quinden Jackson (22) carries the ball against Auburn during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. Credit: AP/Butch Dill
No. 4 Tennessee (4-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) at Arkansas (3-2, 1-1), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Tennessee by 13 1/2.
Series record: Tennessee leads 13-6.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Tennessee appears to have the potential to make a run at a berth in the SEC championship game. A win here would keep the Vols unbeaten in the league as they try to keep up with Texas, Alabama, Missouri and LSU. Arkansas appears close to a breakthrough. Its two losses were close calls against Oklahoma State and Texas A&M. In both games, the Razorbacks outgained both by significant margins but lost the turnover battle.
KEY MATCHUP
Arkansas RB Ja'Quinden Jackson vs. Tennessee's defense. Jackson has emerged as one of the nation’s most effective backs. He leads the SEC with 509 yards rushing and is second with nine rushing touchdowns. He faces a Tennessee defense that ranks second nationally in rushing defense, giving up just 50.8 yards per game. Opponents are averaging just 1.6 yards per rush against the Vols.
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green looks to pass against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Julio Cortez
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Tennessee: QB Nico Iamaleava. This will be his sixth career start and second straight on the road in the SEC. He is 5-0 with three of those wins coming over ranked opponents. He is averaging 223 yards passing per game completing 69.3% of his passes. He has thrown seven TD passes with only two interceptions.
Arkansas: QB Taylen Green. In five games, Green has passed for 1,236 yards and rushed for 331. He can be spectacular, but he sometimes struggles with accuracy and ball security — he has thrown five interceptions.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arkansas quarterback Taylen Green (10) is hit by Auburn safety Jerrin Thompson (1) as he throws a pass during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2024, in Auburn, Ala. Credit: AP/Butch Dill
Arkansas has won the last three in the series and the last three in Fayetteville. ... Arkansas seeks its first home win against a top 5 team since beating Tennessee in 1999. ... Tennessee is 4-0 for the second time in three seasons under coach Josh Heupel. That's the program's first time since 1991-92. ... The Vols also have won six straight dating to last season's regular-season finale over Vanderbilt. That is the fourth-longest active streak nationally, trailing only Missouri and Army (eight) and Duke (seven). All of Tennessee's win in this streak have come by double digits. ... Tennessee is one of four FBS programs yet to trail in a game this season along with Texas, Indiana and Army. ... The Vols are outscoring opponents 149-6 in the first half this season. ... Heupel is 8-1 coming off an open date as a head coach, including 3-0 with the Vols.
