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Tennessee football vs. Alabama: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Crimson Tide

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) hands the ball off to Tennessee running back Jabari Small (2) during an SEC conference game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021.Kns Tennessee Vanderbilt Football /

9. Red zone play

Saturday’s matchup will feature two of the best red zone teams in the country. Let’s start with Tennessee football. The Vols have scored on 100 percent of their trips to the red zone this year, one of only three teams to do so. They have scored touchdowns 78.57 percent of the time, good for No. 12 in the nation.

Defensively, UT is No. 7 in red zone scoring defense, with opponents only scoring 65 percent of the time. They are No. 12 in holding them out of the end zone, allowing opponents to score touchdowns only 40 percent of the time. It’s elite on he other side too.

Although Alabama is outside of the top 50 in red zone scoring overall, No. 52 to be exact at 85.71 percent, they are No. 19 in red zone touchdown scoring, reaching the end zone 75 percent of the time. It’s similar defensively, as they are No. 38 in opponent red zone scoring at 77.78 percent but No. 9 in opponent red zone touchdowns at 38.89 percent.

With those stats, the Vols would seem better. However, last week, they only scored touchdowns on 50 percent of their trips to the red zone, and that doesn’t count a time they reached the 21-yard line and needed a field goal. As a result, this game may come down to who has to settle for a field goal first.

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