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Tennessee football vs. UT-Martin: 10 keys to the game between Vols and Skyhawks

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Alabama Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) hauls in a pass by Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football
Tennessee wide receiver Ramel Keyton (80) hauls in a pass by Tennessee quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football /

1. Is there any way of UT-Martin slowing down the Vols’ wideouts?

Two can play the game of exploiting weak secondaries, and Tennessee football once again has the advantage there. Cedric Tillman is almost certain not to play this week, even if he’s ready to go, as the Vols will want him for their stretch run in SEC play. However, they still have plenty of other talent at wideout, and that’s where the difference comes in.

UT-Martin has allowed four 100-yard receivers on the year, and two have gone for over 150 yards. The key mismatch for them is receivers with size, and, well, the Vols have those, even without Tillman. They’ve got Bru McCoy on one side, who has become their star wideout since Tillman got hurt, and Ramel Keyton is on the other.

While McCoy has been the star on the outside, Keyton stepped up last week. By the way, tight ends also exploit UT-Martin, and the Vols have them in Jacob Warren and Princeton Fant. Oh, and it’s not like Jalin Hyatt can’t still burn them too given the talent disparity.

Five Vols to watch for vs. UT-Martin. dark. Next

Simply put, Tennessee football has a collection of wide receivers that seems impossible to stop. Can UT-Martin do anything to slow them down? Well, the only way they can is if the Vols slow themselves down, which is where lack of focus would come back in, and UT-Martin then has to exploit it. Otherwise, Keyton and McCoy will put this game away early.

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