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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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Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive linemen Byron Young (6) and Tyler Baron (9) celebrate a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive linemen Byron Young (6) and Tyler Baron (9) celebrate a defensive stop against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Tennessee won 34-27 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

2.  Will Kentucky neutralize the Vols’ huge pass rush advantage on either side?

Wondering what Will Levis will be able to do against Tennessee football’s secondary may be completely irrelevant because of what the Vols may be able to do up front. Kentucky is No. 125 in fewest sacks allowed per game, as they have allowed 26 overall. A huge reason for concern over Levis getting hurt is how often he’s hit.

Meanwhile, the Vols would appear just above average in sacking the quarterback, as they have 17 overall and are No. 42 in sacks per game. However, Florida and UT-Martin are two of the best at not allowing sacks, and Alabama is pretty good too, skewing that stat line.

Byron Young has already twice earned SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, so when he gets his chance, he can be lethal. Can Kentucky stop him and Tyler Baron or even slow him down enough just to make a couple of plays? That’s the crucial part of this game.

On the other side, Kentucky has to find a way to get pressure. UT has allowed only 11 sacks over all and is No. 42 in sacks allowed per game, but UK has only registered 10 sacks on the year and is No. 111 in sacks per game. This huge difference on both sides is where the Vols win unless Kentucky can somehow neutralize it on one side.

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