Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for vs. Vanderbilt

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Alontae Taylor being on this list because of Vanderbilt’s proneness to throwing interceptions would obviously mean that Jaylen McCollough is on this list. McCollough leads Tennessee football in interceptions with three on the year, and while his play has slowed down recently, he’s always capable of coming down with another one.

Also, Vandy’s No. 114 ranking in preventing interceptions is due to one position specifically in the secondary: strong safety. We’ve covered in the past how linebackers or safeties in general tend to benefit from teams prone to interceptions. In Vanderbilt’s case, though, it’s not just a broad position like that. It’s much more specific, and we mean specifically the strong safety.

As a result, McCollough, as the starting strong safety, specifically applies here. Trevon Flowers can pick off passes too at free safety, but that doesn’t apply when facing Vandy. Five of their picks have been to strong safeties. Add a sixth interception that they have thrown to a nickel, and they throw their picks to physical defensive. backs.

Look, Taylor still belongs on here, as Vandy has thrown three picks to cornerbacks. A nickel getting one could have opened the door for Theo Jackson as well given the type of playmaker he is. Nobody, though, is better positioned to make plays like that than McCollough.