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Tennessee football vs. Ball State: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Jimmy Holiday (6) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

7. Whose return game is better with new talent on both sides?

This is an interesting take. Tennessee football and Ball State both lose their elite return specialist. For the Vols, that was Velus Jones Jr., who averaged over 27 yards and scored a touchdown on 23 kickoff returns last year. He also averaged over 15 yards on 18 punt returns, which earned him All-SEC status and helped him get drafted into the NFL.

Ball State, meanwhile, had Justin Hall, who averaged an insane 34.5 yards on 11 kickoff returns while scoring a touchdown and also averaged 12 yards on 10 punt returns. He didn’t field kicks as much as Jones, but he was the primary guy to do so, and when he did, he was elite.

The question, though, is if either team’s return game was about the program rather than the returner. There’s evidence for both. That’s because they both had great return coverage. UT was No. 4 nationally, allowing just two yards a punt return on seven returns, and Ball State was No. 16, allowing three and a half yards a return.

Taking that into account, with new talent, which team will have a better return game? If Ball State can run one back while limiting what Tennessee football can do, they will have added another twist to potentially give them a chance in this one.

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