As if Saturday’s game in Neyland Stadium didn’t have enough ready-made storylines around it before, another one has become apparent after the week six games concluded.
When Tennessee and Ole Miss meet under the lights in Neyland Stadium, it will be the two fastest offenses in college football going toe-to-toe.
Currently, Ole Miss holds the title of fastest offense in the nation, something that Tennessee has held multiple times this year already. The Rebels are running a staggering 2.89 plays per minute through five games. Meanwhile, the Vols are second in the nation in that category, just a hair behind Ole Miss. Through the Vols’ six games this year, Tennessee is averaging 2.87 plays per minute.
No Power Five teams run more offensive plays per minute than the two who will meet in Neyland next Saturday night (OM 2.89, @Vol_Football 2.87). Get your 🎟 ⤵️ https://t.co/AnsYfCPxA9
— Bill Martin (@Bill_Martin) October 10, 2021
Lane Kiffin will make his head coaching return to Knoxville on Saturday when the Rebels visit in week seven.
Kiffin made his first official return to Neyland Stadium back in October of 2014 with Alabama. The former Tennessee head coach had taken the offensive coordinator position for Nick Saban after being fired from USC in 2013.
Coming to Knoxville with Kiffin will be an electric Rebels offense that is currently averaging 561 yards of offense per game. That total puts them at the top of the SEC in that category. However, Tennessee isn’t far behind. The Vols are averaging 474 yards per game, which is third-most in the SEC.
In reality, both offenses are near the top of the league in most offense categories.
For example, Tennessee and Ole Miss are in the top four in total yards, yards per game, rush yards per game, total plays, and total plays per game in the SEC.
Tennessee has previously held the record of fastest team in the nation as well. After week three, Tennessee clocked in at 3.02 plays per minute, so it’s understandable why that number has evened out slightly. However, Ole Miss has been right up there in the mix as well as they now hold onto sole possession.
When the Rebels travel to Knoxville to take on the Vols this Saturday, there will be several fascinating storylines at play. But perhaps no storyline will be as speedy as this one, with the two fastest teams in college football going head to head.
Currently, Tennessee (4-2, 2-1 SEC) has already opened as a slight underdog to Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at home.
