Column: Two numbers point to where Tennessee must improve to stay in the playoff race

A column by Adams in the Knoxville News Sentinel argues that Tennessee's path to the College Football Playoff can be seen in two statistics. Together, the numbers are presented as a clear measure of where the Volunteers are falling short and where improvement is needed if they are to remain in contention.

The piece frames those two areas not as minor concerns, but as the difference between a team with playoff ambitions and one that actually reaches the field. For Tennessee, the message is straightforward: progress in the areas highlighted by the stats will be essential as the push for a playoff place continues.

That makes the column a useful check on the Vols' season at this stage. It looks beyond the overall picture to specific, measurable shortcomings, and makes the case that fixing them is now central to Tennessee's hopes.