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Tennessee football vs. Akron: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

A worker works on the S of the newly re-installed V-O-L-S letters on the south side of Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. The letters were taken down in 1999. The re-installation of the letters are part of Phase I renovations to the stadium which include two new videoboards on the north and south ends of the stadium, a lower-west premium club, enhanced chairback seating in multiple lower-west sections and a party deck on the upper north end.RANK2 Kns Vols Letters
A worker works on the S of the newly re-installed V-O-L-S letters on the south side of Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Wednesday, July 6, 2022. The letters were taken down in 1999. The re-installation of the letters are part of Phase I renovations to the stadium which include two new videoboards on the north and south ends of the stadium, a lower-west premium club, enhanced chairback seating in multiple lower-west sections and a party deck on the upper north end.RANK2 Kns Vols Letters /
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Akron Zips defensive lineman Zach Morton (3) celebrates after a tackle during the second half of an NCAA football game against the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Akron, Ohio.Uazipsfb 12
Akron Zips defensive lineman Zach Morton (3) celebrates after a tackle during the second half of an NCAA football game against the St. Francis (Pa) Red Flash, Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022, in Akron, Ohio.Uazipsfb 12 /

8. Akron’s ability to intercept the ball vs. Vols’ ability to avoid picks

Probably the best part of Hendon Hooker’s game is his ability to avoid throwing interceptions. He had 31 interceptions to just three touchdowns last year, and with improved pocket awareness to the point that he’s not holding onto the ball and just taking sacks anymore, he still has four touchdowns to 0 interceptions through two games.

If Hooker can keep this up, Tennessee football’s offensive efficiency will be through the roof all year. He may miss on some throws, but not throwing a pick is obviously a huge advantage, and he deserves credit for how careful he’s been with the ball. However, something’s got to give when the Vols face Akron this weekend.

That’s because on the other side, the Zips are actually pretty good at picking off passes. They have had three different players pick off three different passes this year, and that doesn’t even include their best cornerback from last year, Charles Amankwaa, who was supposed to return but hasn’t had any impact yet.

Given the way Akron relies on the picks, they’ll need to make Hooker finally mess up to have a chance in this game. That’s harder than it looks, but whichever gives between Hooker’s efficiency and Akron’s aggression in the secondary will have a huge impact on the outcome.

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