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Tennessee football vs. Kentucky: 10 keys for Vols and Wildcats

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks to throw during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK
Oct 3, 2020; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks to throw during a SEC conference football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Missouri Tigers held at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Kivon Bennett #95 of the Tennessee Volunteers recovers a fumble by Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs for a touchdown during the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA – OCTOBER 10: Kivon Bennett #95 of the Tennessee Volunteers recovers a fumble by Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs for a touchdown during the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 10, 2020 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

10. Will either team score a non-offensive touchdown?

Last week, we said this would be a key for Tennessee football against the Georgia Bulldogs. Well, although the Vols lost 44-21, they did take a 21-17 lead into halftime, and it was due to their defensive touchdown on UGA’s first offensive drive of the game. That was the second defensive touchdown of the year for Rocky Top.

The first one was a pick-six against the South Carolina Gamecocks by Henry To’o To’o, and that was the difference in the game for UT. So through three games, the Vols have scored two defensive touchdowns. One resulted in a win, and the other resulted in a halftime lead on the road against the No. 3 ranked team in the nation. That’s how big of a deal such scores are.

Meanwhile, the Kentucky Wildcats had six interceptions against the Mississippi State Bulldogs last week. One of them was returned for a touchdown by Jordan Wright. The other, though, was returned 76 yards by Joshua Paschal, nearly a defensive touchdown. Ironically, neither of those players is a defensive back. That just shows how effective everybody can be in this defense.

Taking this into account and the fact that a defensive struggle is expected this weekend, a non-offensive touchdown could be key. If either team scores one, it could completely change the outcome of the matchup. Given the way Kentucky likes to run the ball and run clock, it would be even more crucial with points at a premium.

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