# SEC Football Preview: Tennessee Volunteers at Arkansas Razorbacks **Published:** 2026-10-04 — **By:** Stacy Stanfield **Category:** games — **Type:** game-preview **Source:** https://secscouts.com/news/sec-football-preview-tennessee-volunteers-at-arkansas-razorbacks **Teams:** [Arkansas](https://secscouts.com/arkansas/), [Tennessee](https://secscouts.com/tennessee/) --- ## Matchup Overview No. 17 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC) travels to Razorback Stadium for a Thursday night SEC game against Arkansas (2-3, 0-2 SEC). Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. CT on Oct. 8. The TV network has not been announced. The stakes differ for each side. Tennessee wants to stay in the Top 25 and move above .500 in conference play. With one SEC loss already, the Volunteers can't afford a second if they want to stay in the league race. Arkansas is still looking for its first conference win after an 0-2 start. A home win over a ranked opponent would get the Razorbacks back to .500 overall and change how their season looks. The last meeting was close. Tennessee beat Arkansas 34-31 on Oct. 10, 2025, a three-point game that came down to late execution. The numbers point to another tight one. Tennessee's top three producers, Jackson Ross, Faizon Brandon and DeSean Bishop, combine for 463.1 yards per game. Arkansas's top three, KJ Jackson, Gavin Rush and Chris Marshall, combine for 445.9. That's a gap of less than 20 yards a game between the two groups. ## Keys to the Game **Tennessee: Spread the production around.** The Volunteers have more balance at the top than Arkansas does. Jackson Ross averages 180.8 yards per game and Faizon Brandon averages 174.3, so Tennessee has two players producing at a similar level. Add DeSean Bishop at 108 yards per game and Tennessee has three players averaging at least 100. That depth makes it hard for Arkansas to take away one option without leaving room for the others. If Ross and Brandon both reach their averages, the Volunteers should control the game. **Tennessee: Quiet the crowd early.** Arkansas will have a home crowd on a weeknight. A strong start from Ross and Brandon would take that energy away and put pressure on an Arkansas team that hasn't won in SEC play yet. **Arkansas: Get KJ Jackson going early and often.** KJ Jackson is the most productive player on either roster, averaging 207.6 yards per game. Arkansas needs him at or above that number for its offense to keep up. When Jackson is producing, everyone else on the Razorbacks offense benefits. **Arkansas: Get Gavin Rush and Chris Marshall involved.** Gavin Rush (135 yards per game) and Chris Marshall (103.4 yards per game) give the Razorbacks two more options. If Tennessee focuses on stopping Jackson, those two need to take advantage. If Arkansas has three players near their averages, it can match Tennessee's depth. ## Key Matchups **KJ Jackson vs. Tennessee's defense.** This is the most important matchup of the night. Jackson's 207.6 yards per game is nearly 27 more than any Tennessee player averages. Tennessee doesn't have to shut him out. Holding him meaningfully below his average would put the Razorbacks offense under serious strain. **Jackson Ross vs. Arkansas's defense.** Ross leads Tennessee at 180.8 yards per game. Arkansas is 0-2 in conference play and needs to limit him to have a chance at an upset. If Ross goes well past his average, Arkansas will have to score on almost every drive to keep up. **Faizon Brandon vs. Gavin Rush.** Each team's second-leading producer could decide the game. Brandon averages 174.3 yards per game and Rush averages 135, so Tennessee holds a 39.3-yard edge in this pairing. That's the biggest gap among the three tiers. If Rush can close it, Arkansas has a real chance. **DeSean Bishop vs. Chris Marshall.** The third options are close. Bishop averages 108 yards per game and Marshall averages 103.4. Whoever has the better night here could make the difference in a game that projects to be decided by one score. ## Players to Watch **Tennessee: Jackson Ross, 180.8 yards per game.** Ross leads the Volunteers in production. He'll set the tone for an offense that wants to get ahead early on the road. If Ross has a big night, Tennessee should be able to control the game. **Arkansas: KJ Jackson, 207.6 yards per game.** Jackson is the most productive player in this game, and the Razorbacks' upset chances depend on him. An efficient, high-volume game from Jackson keeps Arkansas competitive for four quarters. ## Prediction Arkansas has the best individual player in this game. KJ Jackson's 207.6 yards per game leads both rosters, and the Razorbacks are at home. The 34-31 finish last October shows this matchup can stay close. Tennessee's depth is the difference. Ross (180.8) and Brandon (174.3) together give the Volunteers two high-volume threats. The 39.3-yard edge Brandon holds over Rush is the biggest gap among the three tiers. Arkansas can't focus on one Tennessee player without leaving another open. Unless Rush and Marshall go well beyond their averages, Jackson will have to do too much of the work himself. Expect Jackson to keep Arkansas close, but Tennessee's balance should pull ahead late. **Prediction: Tennessee 34, Arkansas 27** --- *Original article: [SEC Football Preview: Tennessee Volunteers at Arkansas Razorbacks](https://secscouts.com/news/sec-football-preview-tennessee-volunteers-at-arkansas-razorbacks) — SEC Scouts*