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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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Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

5. How much can the Vols cut down on penalties?

Here’s a huge area in which Kentucky has an advantage. Tennessee football’s crowd at Neyland Stadium can help here. They should be excited about a Halloween night game and seeing black jerseys. Actually, that should help the Vols remain focused on this game too. Anyway, the crowd noise could force some Kentucky penalties.

However, Kentucky doesn’t commit serious penalties. They are tied for fifth in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game at 35.1. Now, their nearly five and a half penalties a game is tied for No. 35 in the nation, but that means they aren’t committing too many or enough severe penalties to cost them in any game.

It’s different for the Vols. Josh Heupel’s team, which can be natural given the tempo they run, is third from last in the nation in fewest penalty yards per game at 77.3.  They are No. 127 in fewest penalties per game at over eight and a half. This is forgotten because UT beat Alabama based on numerous penalties committed by the Tide.

That game just so happened to be one of the Vols’ better performances, though, while Alabama was just so awful that it couldn’t be ignored. Alabama is bad on penalties too. If Tennessee football is going to avoid Kentucky being a threat, the Vols can’t allow them to stay in the game with so many penalties. That’s a crucial aspect.

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