Tennessee football vs. Purdue: 10 keys to the Music City Bowl game

Nov 14, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of Nissan Stadium before the game between the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2021; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; View of Nissan Stadium before the game between the Tennessee Titans and the New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jaylen Wright (20) runs into the end zone during the second half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Vols’ ability to establish dominance on the ground

While Purdue needs to somewhat establish the run for some sort of balance in this game, Tennessee football actually needs to dominate in the run game to win. The Vols rely on it heavily to set up Josh Heupel’s offense.

One simple number is the determinant on whether or not UT wins its games: Five. The Vols averaged five yards a carry or more in every game they won against FBS foes this year. However, they averaged fewer than that in every game they lost. It’s pretty simple. Average five yards a carry, and they win the game.

Purdue, despite not being able to run the ball, stops the run relatively fine. They give up about 4.3 yards per carry, which is significantly less than the five yards the Vols need to average. However, teams that have beat them, outside of the Minnesota Golden Gophers, have generally torched them on the ground. The Wisconsin Badgers had two 140-plus yard rushers.

Five Vols to watch for in Music City Bowl. dark. Next

If Hendon Hooker is going to torch Purdue like he has torched lots of teams this year, Tennessee football needs to get it going on the ground. Getting everybody healthy should allow for that to happen, but if they don’t do it in a big way, they’ll be in trouble.