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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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Oct 9, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Alabama linebacker King Mwikuta (30) recovers a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown at Kyle Field. Texas A&M defeated Alabama 41-38 on a field goal as time expired. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2021; College Station, Texas, USA; Alabama linebacker King Mwikuta (30) recovers a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown at Kyle Field. Texas A&M defeated Alabama 41-38 on a field goal as time expired. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Big plays on special teams

Last week, Tennessee football had multiple crucial special teams plays. There was the muffed punt by Velus Jones Jr. and the missed field goal by Chase McGrath. Despite those two things, a 40-yard punt return by Jones set the Vols up with a chance to win the game late.

Alabama, meanwhile, generated special teams chaos in its one loss. The Tide had a blocked punt for a touchdown, but they allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown on the next play. On the other hand, the Vols have also allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown, one against Mizzou. They blocked a punt to set up their first touchdown against Pitt, though.

Simply put, both teams have been marked by big plays for and against them on special teams this year. Can one of them pull off a big play on special teams Saturday? If the Vols are the ones to get it, then they are almost certainly going to be in position to make sure this is a game, at least in the first half when they are at their best.

However, if they allow a big play on special teams, they have no shot in this one. Last week’s muffed punt proved critical in the end. They can’t have those mistakes, but they should do everything they can for a big play.

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