Tennessee enters Saturday’s matchup with Kennesaw State unbeaten through two games.
The Volunteers also enter it one week away from Texas and the start of SEC play.
That makes the final nonconference tuneup about more than simply moving to 3-0.
During Friday’s edition of Live Ball, VFL Todd Kelly Jr. and I identified three areas where Tennessee can take another step against the Owls, and potentially carry something meaningful into next week.
1. Make the routine throws routine for Faizon Brandon
Faizon Brandon has already shown he can create explosive plays.
The true freshman connected with Mike Matthews for touchdowns of 55 and 57 yards against Furman. Against Georgia Tech, Brandon again showed his ability to push the ball downfield and escape pressure when plays broke down.
The next step may be considerably less spectacular.
Kelly wants to see Brandon consistently string together completions and sustain longer drives.
“I would go with the former, just efficiency and putting drives together,” Kelly said when asked where Brandon needs to improve. “Really putting what I would call methodical drives together.”
That could mean a 10- or 12-play possession built around five-yard hitches, intermediate routes and throws between the hashes rather than one explosive completion.
Those possessions may not produce the most memorable highlights Saturday. They could be among the most important developments for Tennessee’s offense.
“We can’t just rely on running the ball and hitting deep shots to Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley and Radarious Jackson,” Kelly said. “I think it’s putting drives together, making sure he gets comfortable with those throws as well.”
The middle of the field presents another test.
Kelly called throws between the hashes some of the most difficult for a quarterback because of the number of defenders occupying that area. Timing, confidence and trust in Brandon’s receivers, tight ends and running backs become increasingly important.
Those are also throws Tennessee will eventually need against SEC defenses.
2. Control Kennesaw State’s run game at the line of scrimmage
Kennesaw State wants to run the football.
That gives Tennessee’s defensive front another opportunity to establish itself before conference play begins.
Kelly believes the Volunteers should keep the Owls below 100 rushing yards.
“I think we’ll take it to them pretty early,” Kelly said. “I think we’ll have plenty of TFLs, which will help that number.”
Tennessee has already received production from several pieces of its reworked defensive front, including Xavier Gilliam and Tyree Weathersby.
Kelly believes the matchup provides another chance for that group to show it can control the line of scrimmage.
“I think they’re going to be really dominant, show their dominance,” Kelly said. “I think one question we had this year was, ‘What’s the D-line look like?’ And I think we’ve seen in Game 1 and Game 2, we’ve got some guys that can really make plays and set that line of scrimmage like you have to in the SEC.”
Kelly went as far as buying Tennessee recording at least 10 tackles for loss Saturday.
The standard also applies after the starters leave the field.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has continued demanding more from his unit despite Tennessee’s 2-0 start. Kelly said every snap matters, whether it belongs to a starter or a reserve entering late in the game.
“The eye in the sky doesn’t lie,” Kelly said. “When you watch the film and you may have misfit somewhere or missed a tackle or misaligned, you’ve got to show up and do the best you can.”
For Tennessee, controlling the Owls’ rushing attack would be another indication that its revamped defensive front is becoming a strength rather than a preseason question.
3. Turn opportunity into meaningful depth
Saturday could create opportunities Tennessee has not needed during the first two weeks.
Some will come because of the expected game script. Others are already necessary.
Tight end Da’Saahn Brame is among them after Ethan Davis suffered a season-ending knee injury against Georgia Tech.
Brame has developed physically and improved as a blocker since arriving at Tennessee. Now his role changes considerably.
“He was practicing as if he was the starter, and now he is,” Kelly said. “He’s going to have the opportunity to get a lot more reps.”
Davis had quickly become one of Brandon’s preferred targets near the goal line. Brame now has an opportunity to begin establishing that same trust.
The opportunity extends beyond the tight end room.
Kelly singled out freshman receiver Tyreek King as a player he wants to see take advantage of additional snaps.
King did not enroll early but quickly impressed after arriving for preseason camp. His role could also expand on special teams, including in the return game.
“Whenever he gets the ball in his hands, he just always does something with it,” Kelly said. “Whenever he has an opportunity, I want to see what he can do.”
Those snaps can matter beyond Saturday.
Tennessee will not have the same margin for experimentation once conference play begins. Building confidence in Brame, King and other young contributors now could give the Volunteers more options when their depth is tested later.
That is ultimately what makes Saturday useful.
Tennessee does not need to prove it can beat Kennesaw State on paper.
It has an opportunity to show that the areas still under construction through two games are beginning to look ready for what comes next.
