It will take more than just controlling time of possession to beat Vols

Don't look for UK quarterback Will Levis to run the ball and make plays like this against Tennessee in Saturday night's game like he did last year. (Vicky Graff Photo)

Will pace of play be the determining factor in tonight’s Kentucky-Tennessee game?

This season Kentucky’s offense has averaged 1.87 plays per minute. That’s LAST of all 131 FBS teams but suits coach Mark Stoops’ preference for a ball-control offense and stout defense to win games.

Tennessee goes non-stop. The Vols run 2.88 plays per minute, fifth fastest in the country and the way that coach Josh Heupel wants to play. He wants to outscore and wear down teams.

“I think you understand the game itself will be a limited number of possession game with the contrary styles in this one. Your possessions will be less frequent, so you have to maximize your opportunities,” said Heupel. “That is true if you’re getting 10 or 11 possessions in a game or getting 14.”

“The tempo in this one, obviously have to get drives started and play ahead of the chains. Last year, in the middle part of the game, that was something we didn’t do. Some of that was them, some of that was inflicted wounds from ourselves.”

Remember, Tennessee did win 45-42 in Lexington last year.

“Defensively, we have to do a good job on the line of scrimmage and get off the field on third down. Last year, we gave up a lot of long, extended drives,” the Tennessee coach said. “We have to do a good job in early downs on defense and get off the field on third down, and we have to move the football offensively.”

Kentucky quarterback Will Levis said he would “love throwing 80-yard touchdowns” but knows long, sustained drives are best for Kentucky football.

“When you have two good football teams going against each other, they’re going to make plays. It’s not youth football. You’re not going to have a guy that breaks five tackles every other play,” Levis said.

“As long as they’re doing their jobs, and we’re doing our jobs, but our job is just a little better than their job, then we can keep clicking away at yards and first downs. That’s how the pros are. That’s how good football games usually are. And if you want to have a good team, you got to be able to have those types of drives and to make those plays.”

Kentucky did not do that well even in its win over Mississippi State. A fumble stopped an 11-play drive, a 10-play drive stalled and ended with a punt, and a  missed field goal ended another 11-play drive.

“I always feel like it’s about points per possession,” UK offensive coordinator Rich Scangarello said. “It’s the turnovers and points off turnovers that affect the game negatively that have to be avoided.”

“We need to put drives together, but they need to end in touchdowns, not field goals. If you’re looking to trade touchdowns in this type of game, you’re going to get run out of the building.”

But even if the Cats can use running back Chris Rodriguez to pound the Vols and keep the football, it will not guarantee a victory. Remember that UK had the football 46 minutes to 14 for Tennessee last year and still lost.