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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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UK TE Keaton Upshaw is congratulated by TE Justin Rigg after scoring a touchdown during the University of Kentucky football game against Mississippi State at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, October 10, 2020.Kentucky Football Mississippi State
UK TE Keaton Upshaw is congratulated by TE Justin Rigg after scoring a touchdown during the University of Kentucky football game against Mississippi State at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday, October 10, 2020.Kentucky Football Mississippi State /

7. Red zone efficiency

Currently, Tennessee football is ranked fifth in the SEC and No. 25 nationally in red zone scoring percentage at 88.9 percent. The Vols have scored touchdowns seven of nine times they got into the red zone, and the only time they failed to score any points after reaching the 20 was when Brent Cimaglia missed a field goal against the Missouri Tigers.

On the other hand, the Kentucky Wildcats are No. 63 nationally and No. 12 in the SEC in red zone scoring percentage at 72.7 percent. They have only scored touchdowns seven out of 11 times they have reached the 20-yard line. The three times they failed to score included two goal-line turnovers, an interception and a fumble, and then a fumble at the 15. That seems to favor UT.

However, what Kentucky lacks in red zone offense, it makes up for in red zone defense. The Wildcats are first in the SEC and fifth nationally in red zone defense, holding teams scoreless five of 13 times down there. That includes a fourth down stop against the Auburn Tigers, a goal-line stand against the Ole Miss Rebels and three picks against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The Vols aren’t terrible in red zone defense, as they are sixth in the SEC, holding opponents scoreless two of 11 times. They also had a goal-line stand against the Georgia Bulldogs, and they beat UK last year with one. Simply put, red zone play will be huge in this game. In a likely defensive struggle, the team that converts more on that front will win.

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