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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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Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) runs the ball against the Purdue Boilermakers during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Whose run blocking is better?

You’re looking at two top 25 rush offenses and two top 10 rush defenses. Georgia is No. 22 in rush yards per game with 202, and Tennessee football is No. 24 with 199.63. The Dawgs are No. 10 in rush yards per attempt at 5.65. Although UT is down at No. 47 on that front with 4.6 yards, many of their runs are goal-line scores and with one yard to get the first.

On the other side, the Dawgs are No. 4 in rush yards allowed per game at 85.38, and the Vols are No. 9 at 92.88. UT’s rush defense on efficiency is significantly better, as they are No. 9, giving up 2.9 yards a carry, and Georgia is No. 17, giving up 3.24 yards a carry, but once again, both are elite.

This comes down to the success of the lines. Using data from Football Outsider, Georgia is a top 10 run-blocking team based on line yards stats, but Tennessee football is certainly top 20. On the other side, both teams are top 15 on the defensive line in terms of fewest line yards allowed.

Taking all that into account, both are elite in the run game, and who wins the line of scrimmage on that front has a huge advantage. UT needs the run game to succeed to convert short-yardage plays and set up its big plays. Georgia relies primarily on its success in the run game.

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