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Tennessee football vs. Ole Miss: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Rebels

By Caleb Calhoun

Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Footballs lay on the field before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Can Ole Miss improve on penalties like the Vols did?

A few weeks ago, this would have been a game destined for tons of flags. However, Tennessee football has cleaned up its penalty issue in recent weeks. For the year, the Vols have surrendered over 58 penalty yards per game. However, in each of their last two games, they have only had two penalties, surrendering 20 yards and 30 yards respectively.

Against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, Missouri Tigers and South Carolina Gamecocks, three of their last four games, the Vols have combined to commit just seven penalties for 85 yards. Simply put, they have gotten dramatically better with one exception, against the Florida Gators.

That’s not the same for Ole Miss. The Rebels’ 91 penalty yards surrendered a game is the second worst of any team in the nation, only above the Toledo Rockets. To be fair, they have gotten better, but they’re still horrendous, as they had eight penalties for 75 yards against the Arkansas Razorbacks and seven penalties for 55 yards against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

If this problem still persists for Ole Miss, or if it gets worse since they’re on the road, then Rocky Top could be in decent shape. On the other hand, it’s important for the Vols to maintain their success at not committing penalties. That could then become a huge advantage for them.

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