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Tennessee football vs. Kentucky: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Wildcats

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Power T on the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 15, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops talks with a referee during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 15, 2022; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops talks with a referee during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Who controls the tempo?

You could not get more opposite between these teams even if you tried. Tennessee football has a pretty solid formula to win. They want as many possessions on offense to increase their chances for big plays. However, they play soft coverage on defense to avoid big plays, making teams work for touchdowns, increasing the likelihood they make a mistake.

That results in the Vols getting destroyed in time of possession battles all the time, but it doesn’t matter. They score quickly, and other teams have to work to score. Against Kentucky, though, their strategy will have to be more efficient given the way the Wildcats play.

While the Vols run 2.88 plays per minute, No. 5 in the nation, Kentucky runs 1.87 plays per minute, which is last in the nation. With Chris Rodriguez Jr. back and Will Levis healthy, they have balance now too, which should allow them to slow the game down even more.

Meanwhile, Kentucky’s defense uses its strength on the back end, so you have to move the ball. As a result, the Vols may have fewer possessions in this game. Will they be efficient on those possessions, or will they still go for the quick strikes? How successful are they on the quick strikes? This will all be key in the game.

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