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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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Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Aaron Beasley (24) and linebacker Jeremy Banks (33) ready to play defense during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Can the Vols offset Pitt’s red zone advantage?

Neither team was bad in the red zone last year, but Pitt was clearly better. Tennessee football scored in the red zone about 85 percent of the time, which was top 60, and they scored touchdowns 67 percent of the time, which was top 30.

Pitt, meanwhile, scored 88 percent of the time, which was top 30, and they scored touchdowns 71 percent of the time, which was top 12. In terms of red zone defense, Pitt allowed teams to score on them just under 77 percent of the time, which was top 30, while the Vols allowed teams to score 92 percent of the time, which was bottom 10.

Where both were below average was defensive red zone touchdowns allowed, as Pitt gave them up 59 percent of the time, which was out of the top 70. UT gave them up 72 percent of the time, which was out of the top 100. This year, both teams scored every time in the red zone in the opener, but they opponents scored every time too.

Anyway, Pitt has the advantage here, so the question is if UT can offset that. A 4th and 1 stop in the red zone cost Tennessee football in this game last year, and being more physical was a goal for them in the offseason. This is where that will come into play.

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