Tennessee football’s first three opponents were so lacking in so many areas that you couldn’t get a reliable read on how good the Vols were.
The 20-17 loss to No. 1 Texas in Week 4 provided mixed results. The offense failed miserably, allowing 10 sacks and setting up Colin Simmons for the most distasteful sack celebration in NCAA history. While the offense faltered, the Tennessee
defense was exemplary.After five games, it’s safe to say UT’s gaudy offensive stats through its first three victories spoke to its infirm competition. Its offensive futility against Texas reflected the challenge of playing a freshman quarterback against a defense loaded with NFL prospects.
Tennessee’s 24-14 victory over Auburn on Oct. 3 might prove more revealing than
anything that happened in September.
Auburn is somewhere between UT’s three nonconference opponents and Texas. From an SEC perspective, it’s closer to the bottom of the conference than the top in its first season under Alex Golesh.
Statistics reflect its middling status. Before the Tennessee game, it ranked 65th out of 138 FBS teams in total offense and 85th in total defense.
So, what did the Vols learn about themselves against Auburn?
You can’t be sure about the passing game
Quarterback is still a mystery, though George MacIntyre certainly deserves to start against Arkansas on Oct. 10 after rejuvenating the offense in relief of Faizon Brandon.
MacIntyre demonstrated poise, a quick release and accuracy. Brandon was the antithesis of that. His uneven play against Auburn wasn’t totally shocking after he seemed in over his head while being sacked repeatedly by Texas.
But no matter how often he got knocked down against Texas, he kept competing. He wasn’t as resilient against the Tigers. His struggles in back-to-back games reflect the difficulty of a true freshman quarterback starting in the SEC.
Fortunately for the Vols, MacIntyre came through in his first game against a competent opponent. He completed eight of 10 passes for 86 yards and didn’t commit a turnover while the Vols leaned heavily on their running game.
But how effective will the passing game be against defenses as stout as Alabama’s or LSU’s?
DeSean Bishop will be a problem for most opponents
Never mind that Tennessee managed only 70 yards rushing against Texas. Most defenses will be hard-pressed to contain running back DeSean Bishop, who rushed for 220 yards against Auburn.
And he did that behind an offensive line that was without guards Wendell Moe and Shamurad Umarov. The reshuffled offensive line did its job, and Bishop did the rest.
That bodes well for the remainder of the season.
Tennessee’s defensive consistency is a huge plus
Although UT’s offense has had its ups and downs, the defense has been consistent and successful in its first season under coordinator Jim Knowles.
You can sum up the defense by saying: “Thank goodness for Penn State.”
Not only was Knowles Penn State’s defensive coordinator last season. Three key defensive contributors – Dejuan Lane, Amare Campbell and Xavier Gilliam − played for the Nittany Lions in 2025.
Lane had nine tackles, 2.5 sacks and intercepted a pass against Auburn. Campbell also had nine tackles, including a sack. Gilliam added his fifth sack of the season.
Tennessee schedule is favorable
The Vols have more than defense going for them. Just check the schedule, which isn’t as challenging as it appeared in preseason.
A trip to Arkansas is next on Tennessee’s schedule. It’s the worst team in the SEC.
Tennessee’s second conference road game is in Columbia, South Carolina, where coach Shane Beamer is waiting to be fired.
Kentucky might be better than expected. But it has lost 38 of the past 41 games in the UT series, which tells you it’s hardly ever at its best against the Vols. Vanderbilt already has lost to Auburn.
Alabama and LSU are playoff-caliber teams. Texas A&M has dropped off drastically after making the playoffs last season.
Bottom line: The Vols could be favored in all but two of their last seven games.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnew.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Auburn a better indicator than Texas about where Tennessee football stands | Adams
