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Tennessee football at Alabama Crimson Tide: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive backs Jaylen McCollough (22) Trevon Flowers (1), and and Theo Jackson (26) celebrate Flwoers fumble recovery during the NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016
Tennessee defensive backs Jaylen McCollough (22) Trevon Flowers (1), and and Theo Jackson (26) celebrate Flwoers fumble recovery during the NCAA college football game between Tennessee and Ole Miss in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.Utvom1016 /

7. Can the Vols get a third down stop?

Both teams are elite when it comes to third down offense. Tennessee football’s third down conversion rate is at 50 percent, tied with the Missouri Tigers for No. 7 in the nation. On the other side, Alabama is even more impressive, converting on 55 percent of their third downs. That’s good for No. 2 in the nation.

However, only one team has a significant advantage with its rates, and that’s Alabama. This is because the Tide are ranked No. 52 in third down conversion defense, allowing opponents to convert 36.6 percent of the time. That’s not great, but it’s good enough.

UT, meanwhile, allows opponents to convert on third downs 40.7 percent of the time. That’s all the way down at No. 83 in the nation. Last week, they allowed Ole Miss to convert on 11 of 21 third downs, and many were on 3rd and long plays.

Now, lots of those third downs came with Matt Corral’s legs. He rushed for 195 yards, which nobody was prepared for, and Bryce Young doesn’t have that mobility. However, we still can’t ignore the Vols’ recent third down issues. They need their defense to get off the field to have a chance. If Alabama can keep them on the field, this game will be over quickly.

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