Tennessee football vs. Georgia: 10 keys to the game

4. Vols’ ability to pick off passes

Yes, the turnovers can go both ways, as Tennessee football has a fumbling problem. However, the offense has only lost one fumble over the past six games, and although it came this past weekend against Kentucky, when you combine it with Georgia only recovering three fumbles on the year, that doesn’t seem like an issue.

Interceptions, meanwhile, can go both ways. UGA is tied for No. 23 in interceptions with 10 on the year. Still, the Vols are among the best teams at not throwing interceptions, as Hendon Hooker has only thrown two, and one was against Pitt, where he came off the bench.

As a result, the biggest story with turnovers will be if the Vols intercept passes from Stetson Bennett or J.T. Daniels if, for whatever reason, Daniels comes into the game. UT has intercepted nine passes, almost as good as UGA, and that’s without any two picks in their first two games.

Georgia, meanwhile, has thrown eight picks, making them below average in this regard, and Bennett and Daniels each have four. Can Josh Heupel’s team take advantage of this one mismatch? Last week, a pick-six by Alontae Taylor made the difference at Kentucky.

It’s worth noting that all of UGA’s interceptions have been to safeties or linebackers, and seven of the Vols nine interceptions have been by safeties or linebackers. Taking that into account, this team definitely has a matchup advantage.