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Tennessee football vs. Missouri: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Tigers

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee players warm up before Tennessee's Homecoming game against UT-Martin at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.Kns Vols Ut Martin Bp
Tennessee players warm up before Tennessee's Homecoming game against UT-Martin at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022.Kns Vols Ut Martin Bp /
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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 /

9. How many penalties will the Vols commit?

Technically, Tennessee football overperformed its penalty issue last week against UGA. They only surrendered 55 yards when they have been surrendering over 70 yards a game. However, the number of penalties and when they came were deadly and cost them from making that a game.

UT committed nine penalties, slightly more than their average, and the overwhelming majority were pre-snap penalties. Now, the Vols committed many of those due to the crowd noise and the magnitude of playing Georgia, and that won’t be on display this Saturday, but building on the lack of focus factor, it could still be an issue.

For the year, the Vols are No. 120 in fewest penalty yards per game, right at 71.8, and they are No. 124 in fewest penalties per game, just under eight and a half. To be fair, Mizzou is No. 91 in fewest penalties per game at just under seven and No. 77 in fewest penalty yards per game at 58.1

Still, while the Tigers aren’t great, the Vols are horrendous, and against a team that finds ways to make games close, this is the last thing they need. As a result, penalties will be a huge issue, and Josh Heupel’s team has to find a way to limit them at all costs.

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