Tennessee football at South Carolina: 10 keys to the game

8. Intermediate passing game of both teams

After spending all that time talking about who makes the one big play in the passing game, the meat and potatoes of the passing attack will come down to the better intermediate passing game. Honestly, that’s going to be a struggle for both teams for different reasons, but it’s the only way either offense can get anything going.

The South Carolina Gamecocks are going against an elite secondary that returns all but one starter. Collin Hill, however, is a guy with a big arm who needs to show more accuracy in the short passing attack. to make that happen, he’ll have to find the tight ends. Guys like Nick Muse could be a breakout star, and the Vols still have an issue with coverage linebackers beyond Henry To’o To’o.

When it comes to Tennessee football, Jarrett Guarantano needs to show some development. Guarantano has a big arm, can take a sack and is willing to make the check down pass, but accuracy and quick decision making is an issue. With Dominick Wood-Anderson gone, the check down will likely go to the running backs. If Guarantano can make them quickly, UT is in good shape.

A dominant run game to set up the deep pass is the goal for each team, but they both have the secondary to contain that. As a result, the one that can truly set up a consistent, methodical, efficient passing attack will have the advantage. That is crucial to this game.