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Tennessee football at Missouri: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 28, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general fish eye view of the field before the game between the Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2020; Columbia, Missouri, USA; A general fish eye view of the field before the game between the Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 4, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Connor Bazelak (8) readies for the snap against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 4, 2021; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers quarterback Connor Bazelak (8) readies for the snap against the Central Michigan Chippewas during the game at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Third downs on both sides

This all comes down to Missouri. Tennessee football is mediocre on third down on both sides. Their offense is ranked No. 64, tied with three other teams, for a 40.7 percent conversion rate on the year. Meanwhile, they are No. 56 in the nation in terms of getting off the field on third down, with opponents converting 35.4 percent of the time.

It’s night and day with Missouri, though. Their third down conversion rate on offense is ranked No. 7 nationally at 54.7 percent. On the other side, they are atrocious at getting off the field on third downs, with opponents converting 54.5 percent of the time, putting their third down defense fourth from worst nationally.

So that makes for two questions. First, can Mizzou get off the field on third downs? The way UT moves the ball and often brings up the short field could make this a huge advantage for them, and if Mizzou can control the time of possession, they are in trouble.

On the other side, can UT offset Mizzou’s success on third downs? After all, the Vols aren’t deep on defense, and their offense doesn’t focus on time of possession, so if Mizzou moves the ball well and converts lots of third downs, they could take complete control.

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