Tennessee football at Arkansas: 10 keys to the game

5. Defensive touchdowns

This builds off the turnovers we just named. Tennessee football has a massive disadvantage that plays right into the Arkansas Razorbacks’ hands: allowing turnovers to turn into touchdowns. This could be the biggest reason Arkansas wins. They have been masterful at scoring touchdowns defensively, as they have three on the year. Sam Pittman’s team has been very opportunistic.

One of those touchdowns was a pick-six, which was the difference in them beating the Mississippi State Bulldogs 21-14. They then had two pick-sixes against the Ole Miss Rebels, and that was the difference in them winning that game 33-21. Simply put, defensive touchdowns are the reason the Hogs are 2-3 and not 0-5. They haven’t won a game without one, so you may say they need it.

On the other hand, four of the Vols’ eight turnovers the past three games were returned for touchdowns. That includes a fumble against the Georgia Bulldogs, two pick-sixes against the Kentucky Wildcats and another fumble against the Alabama Crimson Tide. They fell behind to Kentucky solely by allowing defensive touchdowns, although they played awful in the second half.

Simply put, Arkansas is the best at scoring defensive touchdowns, and the Vols are prone to giving them up. If they don’t turn the ball over, they will then neutralize this Arkansas advantage. However, the past three games played by them suggest something different. They have to avoid the mistakes they have made on that front, or else they will be in trouble on Saturday.