NEED TO KNOW
#CheckerNeyland
Saturday's game will mark the sixth iteration of #CheckerNeyland, which showcases Tennessee's iconic checkerboard pattern throughout the stadium. The contest also marks the second consecutive sellout at Neyland Stadium, a first since the 2016 season when the stadium was sold out for games against Florida (Sept. 24, 2016) and Alabama (Oct. 15, 2016).
To find out if your seat section is orange or white, go to
CheckerNeyland.com and enter your section/row/seat number as it appears on your digital ticket. Fans in the North End Zone Party Deck are encouraged to wear white.
Offense Flying High
A year after setting a school record for points in a season and becoming the FBS' most improved offense (No. 7, 39.3 ppg), Tennessee's offense is still thriving. The Vols are averaging 52.0 points per game, which is No. 1 in the SEC and No. 4 in the FBS. UT has put up at least 30 points in six straight games, a first since they did it in seven straight games from 2016-17. The Big Orange average 553.7 yards per game of total offense this season, a mark that ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 in the FBS. Tennessee's passing offense ranks No. 5 in the FBS and No. 2 in the SEC with 371.3 yards per game through the air.
Vols Starting Fast
With a sold-out, raucous crowd on hand, Tennessee will be looking for another one of its patented fast starts on Saturday. The Vols have outscored their opponents by an amazing 228-61 margin in the first quarter since Josh Heupel took over as head coach, including 190-51 in 2021 and 38-10 this season. UT has scored at least one touchdown in the first quarter in every game under Heupel (16 games).
Heupel's teams are known for quick starts. In 52 games as a head coach, his squads have outscored opponents 675-275 in the first quarter (228-61 at UT, 447-214 at UCF). No active FBS head coach scores more points per first quarter in a career than Heupel (12.98; min. - multiple seasons coached).
In the last two seasons combined under Heupel, the Vols are first in the nation in first-quarter scoring at 14.25 points per game and rank first in the Power Five in first-quarter scoring differential (+10.44).
We Play Defense Too
While Tennessee's high-powered offense gets most of the headlines, the defense has continued to improve under coordinator Tim Banks. The Vols are allowing just 14.3 points per game, have forced multiple turnovers in three of their first four games and are ranked third in the league in third-down conversion stops (11-of-46, 23.9%) this season. After ranking second in the SEC in tackles for loss last season with 102, the Big Orange have picked up where they left off with 22 TFLs through three games this year, good for third in the league. UT is also third in the SEC in sacks with eight.