Tennessee Vols vs. South Carolina: 5 things to watch

Tennessee (3-2, 0-2 SEC) faces South Carolina (4-2, 2-2) on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) hoping to bounce back from a 41-0 loss to Georgia. Here are five things to know: 

Expect a close call

Each of the past five games between Tennessee and South Carolina has been decided by three points or fewer. Tennessee has outscored South Carolina by a mere 151-149 during that stretch.

Along those same lines, the Vols have accounted for all three of South Carolina’s overtime losses in its team history. The last was in 2014. All three games were decided by a field goal.

Speaking of field goals, Tennessee placekickers Aaron Medley and Brent Cimaglia are a combined 3-for-7 this season.

Count on VFL’s in attendance

At least 300 former Tennessee football players are expected to take part in the fourth annual alumni weekend. The former Vols will participate in the Vol Walk and run through the “T” with the team before kickoff.

Guarantano making first start

Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano's first start previews as something of a blind date.

Although the redshirt freshman has appeared in three games, he has thrown just 24 passes so far, completing 12. He has 10 rushing attempts.

Guarantano's most meaningful moment was negated by penalty. He relieved Quinten Dormady for a first-down play at Florida's 1-yard line in Gainesville on Sept. 16. The Vols were whistled for a false start. Dormady returned thereafter.

Kelly among nation’s best

Tennessee running back John Kelly leads the Vols in rushing yards (494) and receptions (22).

The junior is one of just three running backs at a Power 5 school to lead his team in both categories. The other two are Heisman Trophy candidate Saquon Barkley from Penn State (649 rushing yards, 29 catches) and North Carolina’s Jordon Brown (297, 20)

More:Vols' football star John Kelly as SEC rushing leader: 'I said I was going to be the best'

Kelly, who leads the SEC in average all-purpose yards (144.6 per game), was added to the Maxwell Award watch list last week.

Daniel also among nation’s best

Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel ranks second nationally in punting average at 47.3 yards per game.

Thirteen of Daniel’s 29 punts have gone for 50-plus yards. He has put 13 inside the opposition’s 20-yard line.