Vols: Facing Arkansas prepared us for Nick Chubb

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee caught a break this season in scheduling by avoiding LSU running back and leading Heisman Trophy candidate Leonard Fournette.

There's no avoiding the conference's other premier back, though. No. 19 Georgia and bruising back Nick Chubb roll into Knoxville on Saturday (2:30 p.m., WVTF-5).

Chubb, who ranks third in the country with 745 yards and is averaging more than eight yards per carry, is part of an elite class of SEC sophomore running backs that also includes Fournette and Tennessee's Jalen Hurd, a Beech product.

"It's a challenge because he possesses so many traits of being a great running back," Tennessee coach Butch Jones said of Chubb. "He can get the tough yards. He can put his shoulder down. He has great burst, acceleration and pad level. He can also make the second-level defender miss."

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That description sounds similar to one given of Arkansas running back Alex Collins, who last weekend rushed for 154 yards against the Vols and scored two touchdowns. The Razorbacks wore down the Tennessee defense as Rawleigh Williams III also reached 100 yards.

Like the Razorbacks, the Bulldogs' backfield isn't limited to just a single option. Sony Michel and Keith Marshall are  averaging more than five yards per attempt with Michel, another talented sophomore, having rushed for 276 yards. That total eclipses that of Alvin Kamara, Tennessee's No. 2 running back, who has 247 yards. Michel and Marshall have suffered significant injuries against Tennessee.

Tennessee safety Brian Randolph said facing two power run teams in a row can benefit the Vols because of the experience they gained the first time around.

"Both have great backs," he said. "(Chubb's) fast. He hits his holes, runs behind his shoulder pads, breaks a lot of tackles. He's a complete running back."

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Georgia ranks 15th in the nation in rushing offense, averaging nearly 245 yards. Against Arkansas, Tennessee had what defensive coordinator John Jancek called its worst tackling performance in the last two years. The Bulldogs' talented backs are more than capable of making the Vols pay for such poor tackling form once again.

"It really challenges your discipline," Jones said of facing Chubb. " ... We ran into some issues Saturday night because we had a core base and stopped our feet. You kind of have to work toward the defender with your eye discipline, never stopping your feet and running through contact."

Linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a Clarksville native, downplayed the effect Chubb can have on a game like Saturday's.

"We play in the SEC, so we see good running backs every week,” Reeves-Maybin said. “It’s not gonna be anything extraordinary."

Reach Matt Slovin at mslovin@tennessean.com or on Twitter @MattSlovin.

NEXT GAME

TENNESSEE (2-3, 0-2 SEC) vs. NO. 19 GEORGIA (4-1, 2-1)

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.

TV/Radio: WTVF-5/104.5-FM