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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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Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football
Tennessee offensive lineman Cooper Mays (63) and Tennessee offensive lineman Darnell Wright (58) rest after a play during a game at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 2, 2021.Kns Tennessee Bowling Green Football /

7. Pass protection by Vols

Ole Miss isn’t the best team at getting to the quarterback, and neither is Tennessee football, but both are solid. They average between two and three sacks a game, with the Rebels coming in at No. 41 nationally in team sacks per game and UT coming in tied at No. 52.

However, there’s a huge disparity when it comes to preventing sacks. Ole Miss is No. 33 in preventing sacks, allowing just over one and a half a game, which is incredibly impressive given how many plays they run. It’ll be hard for the Vols to get to them.

UT, though, is No. 117 nationally in limiting sacks. The Vols allow over three a game. Just last week, they allowed six sacks. Some of this is on Hendon Hooker trying to make a play, but it’s also on the pass protection, particularly from the running backs and the tight ends. Everybody is responsible for this.

In a game that will not allow for too many drives to stall, the Vols just can’t afford to give up that many sacks. They have to score on as many possessions as possible, and even an offense like UT’s can’t overcome the nature of sacks being drive-killers. They had three second-half drives stalled due to sacks last week, which almost let South Carolina back in the game.

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