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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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Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) and Tennessee defensive lineman Kurott Garland (99) celebrate after a defensive stop during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green
Tennessee linebacker Tyler Baron (9) and Tennessee defensive lineman Kurott Garland (99) celebrate after a defensive stop during the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /

6. How dominant can the Vols’ pass rush be?

Last week, Tennessee football wasn’t able to generate the pass rush it needed to shut down Pitt’s attack through the air. Matthew Butler did play solid in the middle, and the Vols did have two sacks, but one came from a defensive back while the other came from a linebacker. They didn’t dominate off the edges like they did against BGSU.

A big part of that has been key absences. LaTrell Bumphus is key to that rotation up front. Meanwhile, Byron Young, the junior college transfer who was generating a ton of hype in the offseason, hadn’t been eligible yet.

Well, Bumphus should be better, and Young is now cleared to play. As a result, the pass rush and the defensive line in general should look like it took a major step forward on Saturday, one that will be encouraging heading into SEC play.

What could help that is how bad TTU’s pass protection is. The Golden Eagles have allowed three sacks in each of their first two games. Taking all this into account, the Vols can gain control early and never let go with a dominant pass rush. That could be all they need to make sure they escape with an easy victory in which their third string is in by the third quarter.

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