Tennessee football vs. Vanderbilt: 10 keys for Vols and Commodores

9. Punt return game

We know about how good Tennessee football’s punt return game is. Marquez Callaway has a punt return touchdown this year, and the Vols have blocked two punts and run them in for touchdowns, which technically gives them three on the year. They are No. 5 in the nation with an average of over 18 yards per punt return.

However, believe it or not, the Vanderbilt Commodores are pretty good on this front as well. They are in the top 50, averaging over nine and a half yards a punt return, and while they haven’t scored a touchdown yet, they could be due for one given their average. Vandy does have a better punt return defense than the Vols.

This may seem like something small, but in a rivalry game, it could be huge. Derek Mason could call a trick play on a return or throw his best weapons back there since it’s the last game of the year for him. If that happens, a couple of big plays could end up making this game a heck of a lot closer than anybody would have expected it to be.

Meanwhile, the Vols could break the game open with a couple of big plays if they get one. And yes, it only takes one. So whichever team breaks off the first big punt return could determine whether or not Vanderbilt provides a scare or Rocky Top blows this game out of the water. That makes this an important key to the game.