All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 10
Next
Sep 15, 2018; Bloomington, IN, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Mike Neu applauds his team after the score in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2018; Bloomington, IN, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Mike Neu applauds his team after the score in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Will Ball State control the time of possession?

Here is where Ball State could actually get an advantage in the game. They return power running back Carson Steele, and that could help them establish the running game. It really comes down to how ready their guards are to go as newcomers in the lineup. However, that unit is what could mess up Tennessee football’s game plan.

Remember, the Vols like to score early and often. They also like to do it quickly. Ball State could completely change that by slowing the game down and just focusing on running the ball. How much that knocks Josh Heupel and co. off rhythm is unknown, but they don’t care how long they have the ball, so this is Ball State’s way of slowing it down.

Fewer possessions gives them a chance. Personnel gives them a chance at the fewer possessions. After all, there are questions surrounding the Vols in stopping the run. Losing Matthew Butler, Caleb Tremblay and Ja’Quain Blakely hurt on that front, and the linebackers are a question.

Now, Ball State averaged as a team under four yards a carry last year, but they stuck to the run game, and that helped them remain competitive at times. They should be more experienced this year, so will that be enough for them to control the game? It’s possible.

Home/Vols Football