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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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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 /

6. Will Vols block a kick?

Muffing punts and running back kickoffs aren’t the only special teams factors in this game. Tennessee football also has a major advantage when it comes to forcing miscues on kickers and punters, and that could turn out to be a huge deal in this game.

South Alabama has allowed a blocked punt and a blocked field goal this season. On the other side, the Vols have blocked two punts, one of which resulted in an offensive touchdown off a short field and the other resulting in a field goal. Taking that into account, getting one of those plays early could really put this game out of reach.

This isn’t a factor likely to affect Rocky Top, which hasn’t allowed a blocked punt or kick all year. South Alabama has blocked a field goal but not a punt, and it’s hard to see them pulling that off again given the type of place-kicking protection they’ll face against a Power Five team.

If there’s any good news for South Alabama about this matchup, it’s the fact that the Vols lost both games in which they blocked a punt. However, that was against the Pittsburgh Panthers and Alabama Crimson Tide. It’s not likely the Jaguars are able to pull that off, so they have to avoid something like this happening at all costs.

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