All for Tennessee
Fansided

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 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Tamarion McDonald (12) and defensive back Kamal Hadden (5) celebrate HaydenÕs interception against the Ball State Cardinals during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

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

Guess what. The same factor between Akron and Tennessee football when it comes to interceptions applies to the reverse. Although the Vols seem prone to giving up a good bit of yards underneath in the passing game this year, they seem to also be pretty good at coming away with interceptions thanks to great designs.

UT also has three picks on the year. Tamarion McDonald intercepted a pass on the first play from scrimmage for the Vols all season. Kamal Hadden also had a pick against Ball State, and Trevon Flowers had a pick against Pitt. McDonald’s and Flowers’ interceptions were due to pressure brought from the linebackers.

Tipped passes have given UT numerous other opportunities that they haven’t cashed in on just yet. Anyway, on the other side, Akron hasn’t thrown any picks yet. That’s despite the fact that they are averaging 34 passing attempts a game, and since teams throw it an average of 43 times against the Vols, there might be a ton of opportunities.

So, once again, what gives? If Tennessee football can continue its success at intercepting the ball, it will put this game out of reach early. This is one of Akron’s best chances to stay efficient, though, and that could make things difficult for the Vols if they truly aren’t fully focused on the matchup.

Home/Vols Football