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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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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 /

4. Who has more success in the red zone?

Steve Spurrier once said that when you kick a lot of field goals in a high-scoring game, sometimes you lose. That was after he lost his last home game as Florida’s head coach to Tennessee football of all people. Spurrier is right, though, and with this game set to be a high-scoring affair, scoring touchdowns in the red zone is key.

Caden Costa and Chase McGrath are both kickers with strong legs, although McGrath is more reliable given the fact that Costa has missed two extra points. The key, though, is to not need them once each team gets insider the 20.

The Rebels’ red zone touchdown percentage is ranked No. 18 nationally while UT’s is No. 43, but the Vols’ red zone scoring percentage is No. 40 while Ole Miss’ is No. 70. As a result, the combination makes both red zone offenses middle of the road.

Red zone defenses are awful, though. UT’s red zone defense is No. 100 in preventing scores and No. 99 at preventing touchdowns. Ole Miss’ red zone defense is No. 82 at preventing scores and No. 118 at preventing touchdowns. Simply put, the one team that gets a red zone stop could have the advantage late.

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