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Tennessee football vs. TTU: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: The Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 09: The Tennessee Volunteers celebrate a touchdown during the game against the Indiana State Sycamores at Neyland Stadium on September 9, 2017 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 2, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Vols’ first quarter vs. TTU second quarter

Generally, when a heavily favored FBS team faces an FCS team, the best chance for that FCS team to make this a game is to get off to a fast start. Well, in the case of Tennessee football and TTU, that may not be too relevant. The way these two teams have played over the past two weeks means things may not matter until the third quarter.

Rocky Top is a dominant first quarter team. TTU gets dominated in the first quarter. The Vols get dominated in the second quarter. Meanwhile, the Golden Eagles, well, the second quarter is when they play the least bad.

UT has outscored opponents 24-0 in the first, while TTU has been outscored 24-0 in the first. On the other hand, the Vols have been outscored 33-10 in the second, while TTU has only been outscored 9-7 in that half. This all means that the Vols are likely to jump out to a gigantic first quarter lead.

The question is if they can maintain it. After all, they went up 14-0 on the Bowling Green Falcons, and BGSU then made it a one-score game at halftime. They went up 10-0 against the Pittsburgh Panthers, and Pitt led by a touchdown at halftime. If this disparity happens Saturday, TTU could make this a game at the half. Then things could get scary.

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