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Tennessee football at Pitt: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers player holds their helmet along the sidelines during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers player holds their helmet along the sidelines during the second quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /
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M.J. Devonshire (12) of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates with head coach Pat Narduzzi and teammate Brandon Hill (9) during the second half of the Backyard Brawl against the West Virginia MountaineersPitt Vs West Virginia Backyard Brawl
M.J. Devonshire (12) of the Pittsburgh Panthers celebrates with head coach Pat Narduzzi and teammate Brandon Hill (9) during the second half of the Backyard Brawl against the West Virginia MountaineersPitt Vs West Virginia Backyard Brawl /

8. Pitt’s feeling of disrespect vs. Vols’ need for revenge

In one way, Pitt has a right to be upset. They beat Tennessee football on the road 41-34 last year and won the ACC Championship while finishing No. 13 in both polls with an 11-3 record. UT, meanwhile, went 7-6. This year, they get the Vols at home and are coming off a much more impressive win over the West Virginia Mountaineers.

There’s a reason Pitt is higher ranked in both polls. However, in spite of all of that, the Vols are favored. They aren’t even slight favorites either, as the line has them favored by nearly a touchdown. Nobody saw that coming, and yes, Pitt should use that as motivation.

On the other hand, the Vols should want revenge. They should have won that game last year. A 4th and 1 stop in the red zone and then an interception by Hooker cost them. That was Hooker’s first real action, as he came in for Joe Milton III, who started the season but got hurt in the first half of that game specifically.

Which mindset outweighs the other? Will Pitt be more motivated by feeling disrespected, or will Tennessee football be more motivated by revenge? The team that can better use the exterior factor to its advantage is the one most likely to gain an edge in this matchup.

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