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Tennessee football: Game by game predictions for Vols 2018 season

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view of Neyland Stadium before the start of the Florida Gators versus Tennessee Volunteers on September 20, 2008 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view of Neyland Stadium before the start of the Florida Gators versus Tennessee Volunteers on September 20, 2008 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Game 4: Florida Gators at Tennessee Volunteers

Saturday, Sept. 22; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Caleb Calhoun

Despite what the national media says, Tennessee football should be the favorites to win this game. The Vols barely lost last year. It took horrific coaching by Butch Jones and a Hail Mary at the end of the game in The Swamp. Still, just like Tennessee, Florida also only had four wins in 2017.

This year, the Gators are also undergoing a coaching change with Dan Mullen. And they are transitioning to a 3-4 defense just like Tennessee. So what real advantage do they have playing in Neyland Stadium? Well, I’m actually giving a big advantage to the Vols. This game comes down to who picks up their new offense better. The pro-style is easier to adjust to in Year One than the spread. And it’s more likely to exploit those adjusting to a 3-4. So Tennessee pulls this one out.

Winner: Tennessee (3-1, 1-0)

Billy Williford

Call me crazy, but I think Tennessee football beats the Florida Gators this year. Jeremy Pruitt has mentioned he doesn’t like gimmicks, but this season marks 20 years since that magical 1998 National Championship year.

As fellow co-editor, Caleb Calhoun mentioned, Tennessee should have had a five-game winning streak against the Gators if it wasn’t for Butch Jones. Vols by 10.

Winner: Tennessee (3-1, 1-0)

Garrett Sanders

Tennessee should have their starting quarterback at this point. That’s good for long-term, but it’ll take more to win this game. Florida’s defense is always top-notch. Although Gators offense has a quarterback controversy as well, Dan Mullen is a superb Offensive guru. He will have the right guy by this point, and this could be a huge mismatch with Tennessee’s defense still adjusting to the 3-4. However, it could also be an advantage for Tennessee for the exact opposite reasons.

This is the biggest game of the year for Tennessee football, and the Vols want revenge after last year, their 11th loss in 12 years. The misery has got to end at some point, right? Home field advantage will play a role, but Florida has the advantage because of one key factor: coaching. Mullen and Jeremy Pruitt are both in their first years leading their programs, but Mullen is actually proven. Pruitt is not. The series will be competitive again in the future, but for now, Tennessee isn’t up to Florida’s bargain.

Winner: Florida (2-2, 0-1)

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