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Tennessee football vs. South Carolina: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 11: Detailed view of the checkered endzone at Neyland Stadium during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Chattanooga Mocs on October 11, 2014 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennessee won the game 45-10. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida won 47 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; General view of Neyland Stadium during the fourth quarter of the game between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers. Florida won 47 to 21. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Gamecocks’ red zone offense vs. Vols red zone defense

Both teams have a major flaw in the red zone. Tennessee football’s defense has been solid throughout the year, but its red zone defense has been atrocious. The Vols have allowed opponents to score 100 percent of the time, and they are No. 112 nationally in keeping teams out of the end zone when they reach the red zone, allowing touchdowns 73.3 percent of the time.

On the other side, South Carolina is horrendous at scoring touchdowns in the red zone. They do at least score when they get down there, having gotten points 13 of 14 times, but they have only scored touchdowns 50 percent of the time. Their offensive red zone touchdown percentage is ranked No. 104 in the nation.

As a result, something has to give way here. Both teams are middle of the pack on the other side of the ball in the red zone, but when South Carolina has the ball, will they continue to fail to score touchdowns, or will the Vols continue to fail to stop them?

If this game ends up being close, that could be one of the biggest keys in the game. It’s more likely, given the consistency on the other side, that it determines whether or not the Vols pull away in a blowout, but that’s still a big deal.

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