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Tennessee football vs. Vanderbilt: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone 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; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Tennvstt0918 1816
Tennessee wide receiver Velus Jones Jr. (1) runs for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Tennvstt0918 1816 /

7. Can Vanderbilt avoid a big play in the return game?

Beyond just big plays on offense and winning the 50-50 trends that are bound to break dramatically either way, Vanderbilt has to make sure Tennessee football’s major mismatch advantages don’t come back to haunt them. The kicking game is an area that might happen.

UT has the No. 12 ranked kickoff return offense, averaging 26.71 yards per kick return, and they have the No. 24 ranked punt return offense, averaging 11.24 yards per punt return. Last week, Velus Jones Jr. finally broke through, after knocking on the door for weeks, and ran a kickoff back 96 yards for a touchdown.

Meanwhile, Vanderbilt has the No. 115 ranked kickoff return defense, allowing 24.35 yards per kick return, and the No. 117 ranked punt return defense, allowing 12 yards per punt return. To be fair, they haven’t allowed a return touchdown yet, but these stats certainly suggest the Vols are capable of getting a huge one in this game.

Then you’ve got the other big plays on special teams UT has enjoyed. They have 10 points off two blocked punts this year, and they got a safety last week on a bad punt snap. As a result, the Vols have a gigantic advantage here. If Vandy let’s that show at all, this game won’t be close.

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