Behind Enemy Lines: Auburn-Tennessee preview with Vols Wire's Dan Harralson
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The Auburn Tigers have another key SEC showdown on the horizon, which means it is time for another edition of "Behind Enemy Lines."
Each week, Auburn Wire reaches out to a beat writer covering the next team on Auburn's schedule. This week, Dan Harralson, lead writer of Vols Wire, joins us to preview the upcoming SEC clash between the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.
This matchup is special for several reasons. One is that Auburn head coach Alex Golesh returns to Knoxville for the first time since serving as the Volunteers' offensive coordinator for the 2021 and 2022 seasons, when Tennessee produced top-five offenses, including the SEC's best in 2022.
It is also the renewal of a long-standing SEC rivalry that began in 1900. Auburn and Tennessee have played 54 times, with Auburn winning seven of the last eight games dating back to 2003. However, due to the SEC's past scheduling format, Auburn and Tennessee have played just four times since 2013.
Golesh, rivalries, Faizon Brandon, and much more are discussed in this week's Behind Enemy Lines. Check out our entire conversation with Dan Harralson of Vols Wire below.
What are your takeaways from Tennessee's heartbreaking loss to Texas last Saturday?
Tennessee is lacking an identity on offense. The Vols are starting a true freshman quarterback in Faizon Brandon. Being a freshman, Tennessee's offense is partially limited, or cautious, having an 18-year-old start four games into his collegiate career.
The Vols' defense has shown progress under first-year defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Arion Carter and Amare Campbell have combined for 49 tackles, while defensive linemen Mariyon Dye, Xavier Gilliam, Tyree Weathersby and Jordan Norman have combined for 13.5 sacks, including six team sacks against Texas.
Alex Golesh has played a role in the Vols recent success. What did Golesh do well as Tennessee's offensive coordinator?
Golesh was a detailed tight ends coach, also with an offensive coordinator title, under Josh Heupel. The Vols' offense has changed from a wide-split veer-and-shoot between 2021-22 with Golesh to more condensed looks. Playing fast, sideline-to-sideline, was a constant with Golesh, but Heupel has brought in off-field coaches in Seth Littrell and Landry Jones, even Jim Chaney last season, to help transition into more condensed concepts.
Auburn-Tennessee is a long-standing rivalry that has faded in recent years due to SEC scheduling. Are you excited to see these two teams play more often under the new nine-game format?
The Tennessee-Auburn series is more historical compared to others in the SEC for the Vols. Tennessee playing Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt is historical, and Auburn being on the schedule brings back a lot of memories of the series.
After facing Jared Curtis last week, Auburn will face another true freshman quarterback in Faizon Brandon this week. What makes him such a special piece to the Volunteers offense?
Brandon is a player who coaches can do a variety of different offensive concepts with. Obviously, his legs allow him to become agile, creative and with the ability to shift defenses on roll outs. Tennessee and Heupel have already showcased mesh concepts this season with him at Georgia Tech. The Vols will need the ability to stretch the field in their passing game as the season goes along. Two Tennessee wide receivers have their longest reception over 40 yards through four games: Mike Matthews (57) and Radarious Jackson (45).
Which Tigers have caught your eye ahead of the game?
Golesh having the ability for quarterback Byrum Brown and wide receiver Chas Nimrod to transfer from South Florida to Auburn was important in his first season as Auburn's head coach. Nimrod's familiarity with, not only Golesh, but assistant coaches he was with at Tennessee appears to have helped him transition back into the SEC where he played three seasons with the Vols. It will be interesting to see how the duo will perform as Auburn's nine-game SEC schedule continues.
Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins are important linebackers in defensive coordinator DJ Durkin's scheme. Both players have combined for 60 tackles and five sacks through four games.
Tennessee beats Auburn if?
Auburn has a chance if its offense is able to be productive, and, ideally, score at least 20 points. The Tigers' two wins against Power Four opponents have resulted in a combined 38 points. If Auburn has the ability to produce 20-plus points, whether offensive, defensive, or special teams, and is able to make Tennessee's offense somewhat one-dimensional, the Tigers have a chance to be competitive in Golesh's return to Neyland Stadium.
Auburn will need to limit Tennessee's pass rush. The Tigers enter Week 5 ranked No. 133 nationally for sacks allowed (14), averaging 3.5 per contest. Tennessee will also have to play better upfront. Through four games, the Vols' offensive line has allowed 13 sacks.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Behind Enemy Lines: Auburn-Tennessee preview with Vols Wire's Dan Harralson
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