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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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Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws a pass during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Missouri and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Georgia won 43-6.News Joshua L Jones
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett (13) throws a pass during the first half of a NCAA college football game between Missouri and Georgia in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 6, 2021. Georgia won 43-6.News Joshua L Jones /

6. How many third downs will Georgia convert?

We all saw this last week. Kentucky didn’t punt the ball once against Tennessee football and went 12-of-17 on third downs. They also converted a 4th and 24 to stay alive late in the game. Simply put, the Vols couldn’t get off the field, which is part of the reason they lost the time of possession battle by over 33 minutes.

For the year, UT’s third down defense is now worst in the SEC and ranked No. 126 overall. The Vols allow teams to convert on third downs 48.4 percent of the time, which is just abysmal. They’re also in for a rough matchup given that stat.

On the other side, UGA is No. 21 on third down conversions, getting a first down on them 46.1 percent of the time. Now, they aren’t as elite as Alabama or Kentucky, who are No. 2 and No. 5 respectively on third downs, so things should be a bit easier for the Vols.

However, we have every reason to believe they’ll struggle to get off the field again, and if Georgia dominates time of possession, they won’t mess it up the way Kentucky win. UT doesn’t need to win the battle, but they can’t only be on the field for 13 minutes like they were last week.

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