Tennessee defensive back Brian Randolph (37) returns an interception against Western Kentucky.KNOXVILLE – The chances are pretty high that Brian Randolph will find himself on an island Saturday afternoon.
One of Oregon’s offensive skill-position speedsters will break through Tennessee’s front seven, and the Volunteers’ safety will be the only thing separating the Duck from the end zone.
Randolph, LaDarrell McNeil and Byron Moore are always Tennessee’s last line of defense, and one missed tackle by any of the safeties against the second-ranked Ducks will be the cue for Oregon’s band to fire up the fight song.
“There’s always pressure to get them on the ground, but especially this week,” Randolph said this week. “They’ve got shifty backs and stuff like that, so we’re just going to try to limit the open space. We’re going to try to get tight coverage and eliminate the possibility of big plays.
“We haven’t had too many missed tackles. We’ve had a couple here and there, but for the most part I think we’re pretty good at tackling. They’re pretty good. It’s going to be like playing a top-tier SEC team, and I think we’re going to be up for the challenge.”