TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: Five keys to UT's matchup with South Carolina

Tennessee football is looking to go perfect in the month of October for the first time since 2022, wrapping up the month's slate with a showdown against South Carolina on Saturday. 

Here are five keys to the game for the No. 11 Vols (6-1, 3-1 SEC) as they try to increase their conference winning streak to four games.

1. Win the ground game. Saturday will be a battle between the two best rushing attacks in the SEC. South Carolina leads the way with 232.3 yards per game, while UT is second with 217.4 yards per game. The UT offense has made its hay with the ground attack, and out-rushing another good ground game will be a recipe for success on Saturday. That will pin its hopes on the Tennessee offensive line. Top lineman Wendell Moe, Jr. didn't make half the season before he went down with an injury. Last week, David Spencer, Jr., was out for a time with what appeared to be a knee injury. However, he came back and played the entire second half.

2. Get another solid start from George MacIntyre. MacIntyre already won his first career road start at Arkansas and his home start over Alabama, and the Vols need another solid performance if they want to win in Columbia. The sophomore threw for 197 yards while completing 21-of-31 passes to upset Alabama in Neyland Stadium. None of his starts have been flashy, but UT doesn't need MacIntyre to be a hero with the strong run game and defense. 

3. X-Factor. Xavier Gilliam continues to wreak havoc on Tennessee's opponents. He's one of only three SEC players with double-digit tackles for loss already, and he's been the highest-graded interior defensive lineman in the nation by PFF. The Penn State transfer has dominated, and he will be needed against the Gamecocks. Even when his production tailed off against Alabama, the attention he got opened up Tyree Weathersby and Jeremiah Telander.

4. Outside noise. Everyone remembers the 2022 trip to Columbia for the Vols; that goes without saying. The betting lines seem to remember it all too well as anticipation for Saturday builds. The Vols need to take care of business — nothing fancy is needed to earn a win over this South Carolina team. 

5. Ride the momentum. Tennessee, in particular its defense, has generated a lot of buzz this season. The Vols should ride that momentum to a win in Columbia and avoid the letdown. Something that has helped is the defense's capability to take the life away from teams. They have held three straight opponents to under 100 yards of total offense in the first half, and they lead the FBS with 30 sacks. An early stifling defense could set the tone for another dominant win.