Tennessee football vs. Chattanooga: 10 keys for Vols and Mocs

7. Who has the better red zone offense?

In this case, Tennessee football and the Chattanooga Mocs are exactly the same. Both teams have been to the red zone eight times and have scored touchdowns four of those times. Now, the Vols have scored all eight times down there, while Chattanooga has scored seven of eight times while getting down there.

But the 50 percent number on touchdowns is one that has to dramatically improve. UT having to settle for field goals is why they are 0-2 right now. By the way, one of their touchdowns, again, was on that fourth down tipped pass that Jauan Jennings caught in the end zone. So in general, their red zone offense has been atrocious.

Given the fact that this game could end up being close, the difference may be the team that converts better in the red zone. The Georgia State Panthers built such a big lead on the Vols because they were scoring touchdowns, not field goals. Could the same thing happen in this game if Chattanooga gets on a roll?

It absolutely could. And the difference could be one team who scored an extra touchdown in the red zone, or if it’s anything like last week for the Vols, the one team who scored the one touchdown in the red zone. Simply put, red zone play for both teams in the first two weeks of the season is proof that it will be key in this game. And UT needs to finally cash in down there.