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Tennessee football at Georgia: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Bulldogs

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 29, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel reacts during the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /
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Yes, it’s legitimate to believe. When Tennessee football visits the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday, the Vols have a legitimate shot. There’s a reason the College Football Playoff committee put them at No. 1 and the Dawgs at No. 3, even if UGA is No. 1 in the AP and Coaches Polls, where the Rocky Top is No. 2 and No. 3 respectively.

Georgia is probably the deeper team, but UT has some real matchup advantages in this one. Still, as we get set to break down the keys to the game, the focus will remain on things UT needs to overcome, as in general, Georgia does have many of the advantages right now.

Unlike years past, though, none of the advantages are impossible to overcome. Let’s break down exactly what goes into this matchup and whether or not it could lead to the Vols pulling off an upset in the game of the century for the SEC East. Here are the 10 keys to the game between Tennessee football and Georgia.

The Tennessee football Volunteers are built to exploit the Dawgs’ weaknesses. How can they pull that off at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga., Saturday?

KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

10. Blocked kicks

Yes, this sounds crazy, but it could be a huge factor in the game. Even former Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt, regardless of what you may feel about him, mentioned that the Vols have had some trouble with their kicks recently, which could lead to a blocked field goal. Chase McGrath’s game-winning field goal against the Alabama Crimson Tide was partially blocked.

Meanwhile, UT has suffered a blocked punt too, which almost cost them against the Pittsburgh Panthers. Georgia has blocked a kick, so that’s a huge advantage in their favor. However, the Vols are also starting to show a bit of strength on special teams, so it’s become a toss-up.

Against the Kentucky Wildcats, Da’Jon Terry blocked an extra point, and Tennessee football almost blocked a punt, one that forced it to go 18 yards. Historically, there’s always been a big special teams play affecting the outcome of this game. Could it come down to a blocked kick in this one? It certainly looks possible.

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