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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 quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) scrambles with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Florida on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924
Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker (5) scrambles with the ball during an NCAA college football game against Florida on Saturday, September 24, 2022 in Knoxville, Tenn.Utvflorida0924 /

7. Ability of UT Martin to intercept passes vs. Vols’ ability to avoid throwing them

Although Tennessee football has five interceptions, which is pretty good, that’s not through the roof elite. UT-Martin, like the Vols, avoids throwing picks. Yes, if they throw some in this game, it’ll be over, but nothing suggests Rocky Top is going to dramatically change the flow of that.

On the other side, though, it’s greatness against greatness. Hendon Hooker threw his first interception last Saturday against Alabama since last year when the Vols lost to the Georgia Bulldogs. Still, he has 15 touchdowns to just one interception through the air on the year. That’s insanely efficient and not going to change.

UT-Martin, however, is great at intercepting passes. The Skyhawks are tied for No. 7 in FCS play on the year with 11 interceptions. They are great for their level, and if it translates to this level, here is where you’ll see greatness on display. Which one will give?

Obviously, everybody would expect the Vols to win out here, as UT-Martin hasn’t faced a passing attack as efficient as theirs, but if the Skyhawks can still be effective at intercepting passes, then they could continue their success all year in the turnover margin. Combine that with a fast start, maybe a special teams play and flipping the penalty script, and we may have a game.

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