No. 14 Tennessee brings an SEC-best 281.3 rushing yards per game into Saturday’s game at Neyland Stadium, where its varied run schemes and freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon’s scrambling pose a major test for the No. 1 Texas defense.
Tennessee called 17 runs from its two-tight-end 12-personnel grouping in Week 2 and 10 in Week 3. DeSean Bishop averages 7.2 yards per carry and scored three of his four rushing touchdowns from that grouping; Duane Morris averages 14.9 yards per carry, with both his rushing scores coming from it. Tight end Ethan Davis suffered a season-ending ACL injury in Week 2.
Brandon has gained 96 yards on 15 scrambles (6.4 yards per carry), and Tennessee can also use read-option plays with him. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said the Longhorns have depth and versatile defensive linemen to use different fronts, even if edge rusher Colin Simmons is unavailable. Tennessee’s offense ranked eighth nationally in seconds per play last season, adding to the challenge for Texas’s defensive front.
