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Tennessee Football: 3 fixes Volunteers must make for 2020 success

By Jake Mitchell

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 and J.T. Shrout #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate their 24-20 win over the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, MISSOURI - NOVEMBER 23: Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano #2 and J.T. Shrout #12 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrate their 24-20 win over the Missouri Tigers at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Columbia, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Brian Robinson Jr. #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Defensive lineman Emmit Gooden #93 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers, and Linebacker Matt Ballard of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 20: Brian Robinson Jr. #24 of the Alabama Crimson Tide is tackled by Defensive lineman Emmit Gooden #93 of the Tennessee Volunteers, Linebacker Daniel Bituli #35 of the Tennessee Volunteers, and Linebacker Matt Ballard of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /

2. Tighten up rush defense

One of the most deflating plays in football is when, after forcing an opponent into a third down situation, the defense gives up the necessary yardage and lets the drive continue for the opposing offense. Unfortunately for Tennessee, that happened a lot last season.

9.2 times per game, the Volunteers allowed an opponent to pick up  a first down on the ground. This statistic should also be coupled with the fact that Tennessee gave up 139.6 rushing yards per game in 2019.

As shoring up the defense begins, two players will lead the way in the front seven. Linebacker Henry To’o To’o will become the captain of the linebacking corps, and up front, Emmit Gooden will return from injury to make an impact once again.

To’o To’o has big shoes to fill, but his true freshman campaign seemed to indicate that he’ll be ready. He’ll be taking over the main job from Daniel Bituli, who led the team in tackles three seasons in a row.

The young linebacker started 12 games as a freshman and racked up 72 tackles. He even displayed a ton of toughness, missing only a few snaps after suffering a dislocated kneecap against Kentucky.

For Gooden, the hope is that he’s completely healed and ready to go after suffering a torn ACL last August. He missed all of 2019, but his 2018 season showed what kind of player he can be. In that, his junior season, Gooden compiled 33 tackles and seven tackles for loss in 12 games.

He has a single campaign left, and as the Vols look to make 2020 a special season, Gooden looks to finish his time in Knoxville in similar fashion.

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