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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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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.Kns Tennessee Florida Football /

2. Vols’ ability to torch Mizzou’s defense on the ground

So we just named a bunch of keys in which Missouri has the advantage. This is the one key that could offset it all, though. Tennessee football has a really good rushing attack with Jabari Small and Tiyon Evans. Last week, the two combined for over 200 yards from scrimmage. In the opener against the Bowling Green Falcons, they combined for over 200 yards on the ground.

Those just happen to be the only two games they played together that Cooper Mays also played in at center. Before you raise an eyebrow about BGSU, keep in mind that the same team just held the Minnesota Golden Gophers to 10 points, and while they allowed 182 yards on the ground, they only allowed four yards a carry.

Mizzou’s rush defense is the worst of any FBS team the Vols have faced this year, and that includes BGSU. They allow over 270 yards a game on the ground, second worst in the nation. They’re one of only four teams allowing six yards a carry on the year.

We know Josh Heupel’s offense starts with the rushing attack. As a result, this game will come down to how much the Vols can torch Mizzou on the ground. If they can do that, they could neutralize every other key, but they have to be able to have their full attack.

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