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Tennessee football vs. South Alabama: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

A military flyover passers over Neyland Stadium before an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football
A military flyover passers over Neyland Stadium before an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021.Kns Tennessee South Carolina Football /
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From left, Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III (38), defensive back Trevon Flowers (1), and linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) celebrate a fumble recovery against South Carolina in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007
From left, Tennessee linebacker Solon Page III (38), defensive back Trevon Flowers (1), and linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) celebrate a fumble recovery against South Carolina in the NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, October 9, 2021.Utvsc1007 /

8. Third down matchups

Heading into Tennessee football’s matchup against the Kentucky Wildcats, this was a story, but then that story exploded. In that game. the Vols allowed 13 third down conversions. They then allowed a 4th and 24 conversion. Simply put, their defense couldn’t get off the field.

UT is No. 126 in third down conversion defense, allowing teams to get a first down 47.9 percent of the time. On the other hand, though, South Alabama never converts on third down, ranking No. 111 in the nation with a rate of 33.8 percent.

It’s the opposite for the Vols’ offense and South Alabama’s defense. When those two are on the field together, you’ll see elite third down play. South Alabama’s third down defense is No. 12 nationally at only allowing opponents to convert 31.7 percent of the time, and the Vols’ third down offense is No. 28 at a 45.3 percent conversion rate.

On both sides, something’s got to give. Honestly, South Alabama needs to win the third down matchups more than the Vols, as they rely on time of possession more to win games. UT can get stopped on multiple third downs and just hit a couple of big plays to call it a day. However, their defense has to find some stops, so they’d like the better end of that side.

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