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Tennessee football vs. Georgia: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; SEC logo on the field at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; SEC logo on the field at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) celebrates after a play with Tennessee linebacker Nick Humphrey (31) during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football
Tennessee defensive back Christian Charles (14) celebrates after a play with Tennessee linebacker Nick Humphrey (31) during a game against Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.Kns Tennessee Pittsburgh Football /

7. Big plays in the punt game

Ready for this? Both teams have blocked two punts on the year. Tennessee football blocked on against Pitt, and that helped spot it a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Vols then came away with a blocked punt against Alabama, and they were able to get a field goal out of that. Of course, neither turned into wins, but two blocked punts on the year is impressive.

Georgia has blocked two punts as well, though. One came against the Arkansas Razorbacks, and the other occurred just last weekend against the Missouri Tigers. The Arkansas one was a touchdown, but they couldn’t get a clean recovery on the Mizzou one, which made it a safety instead. Ironically, that was the difference in them covering in that game.

Either way, both teams have blocked two punts. Velus Jones Jr. had a punt return that should have set up a game -winning touchdown against the Ole Miss Rebels, but he has also muffed a punt, so there is a bit more on the Vols’ front when it comes to this aspect of the game right now.

Add in the history of this series, one that always seems to involve a punt return for a touchdown, usually in UGA’s favor, and this should be a huge factor. If the Vols can manage to make the big special teams play, they could make this game interesting.

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