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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 offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Cade Mays (68) meet with family after 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 offensive linemen Cooper Mays (63) and Cade Mays (68) meet with family after the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Bowling Green Falcons in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, September 2, 2021.Ut Bowling Green /

4. Health of Vols’ offensive line

You can honestly trace Tennessee football’s miscues on offense back to the first half of their opener against BGSU. They jumped out to a 14-0 first-quarter lead, and the offense looked unstoppable. Then center Cooper Mays was knocked out of the game with an injury, and they limped their way to a 38-6 win. The offense has been sluggish ever since.

A key reason for their loss to Pitt was their failure to convert a 4th and 1 from inside the Pitt five-yard line. Interior blocking is an issue, and the two running backs last week combined for only 33 yards on 19 carries.

Sure, you could point out the 34 points and the 10-0 start in the first. However, Pitt spotted them that by allowing a blocked punt. There’s no way to avoid the fact that without Mays at center, the offense has struggled, particularly the rushing attack.

On the other side, TTU hasn’t allowed a feature running back to average five yards a carry yet. That seems like a small deal, but if the Vols aren’t fully healthy on the offensive line, it could be an issue. Josh Heupel’s system depends on establishing the run, and he needs Mays out there to do so. If Mays is hurt again, it could make things interesting.

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