All for Tennessee
Fansided

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

By Caleb Calhoun

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 10
Next
Sep 25, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Dedrick Mackey (1) and Purdue Boilermakers safety Chris Jefferson (17) celebrate getting control of the ball late in the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue Wins 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers cornerback Dedrick Mackey (1) and Purdue Boilermakers safety Chris Jefferson (17) celebrate getting control of the ball late in the game at Ross-Ade Stadium. Purdue Wins 13-9. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Can Purdue force any interceptions?

In most ways, turnovers won’t be a factor. Both teams are tied for No. 114 nationally in fumbles gained with three apiece, while Purdue is tied for No. 66 nationally in fewest fumbles lost with seven and UT is tied for No. 93 with eight. Meanwhile, Tennessee football is No. 55 in passes intercepted with 10, and Purdue is No. 47 in fewest passes had intercepted with nine.

The one area where this is different, though, is whether or not Purdue could intercept any passes by the Vols. The Boilermakers are No. 30 nationally in interceptions total this year with 13, and they are No. 25 in interceptions per game.

On the other hand, the Vols are tied for No. 1 in fewest passes intercepted with three, and they are tied for No. 2 in fewest passes intercepted. As a result, something’s got to give in this one, and the thing that gives will allow one team to have a significant advantage.

Hendon Hooker has been good at taking care of the ball all year for the most part outside of a few fumbles early. He’ll need to do that again when UT faces Purdue because if he throws just one interception, then Purdue has the advantage all the way around.

Home/Vols Football