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Tennessee football vs. UTEP: 10 keys for Vols against Miners

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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7. Are the Vols looking ahead to the Florida Gators?

Let’s face it. Nobody on Rocky Top really cares about this game. Tennessee football lost all of its luster after a blowout loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Week 1, and beating East Tennessee State or a team on a 14-game losing streak isn’t going to fix that.

All the focus among Vols fans right now is whether or not they have a chance against Florida in a week, and the Gators’ loss to the Kentucky Wildcats last Saturday brings more excitement than expected about that game to Rocky Top. So, honestly, how could they focus on the UTEP Miners?

This is a legitimate question for the Vols. We already mentioned the fact that this team is not good enough yet to just look ahead. They have to take every opponent seriously, or they will indeed get caught napping. And that includes a team on a 14-game losing streak.

Remember the Air Force Falcons game in 2006? It was a bit of a different scenario because the Vols got a huge victory over the California Golden Bears in Week 1. They then faced Air Force Week 2 before Florida and had to hold on, only winning 31-30.

Things like that can happen, and a mediocre team looking ahead may be just what UTEP needs to end its winning streak. Hey, something unexpected is going to have to end it, right? So yes, Pruitt needs to keep his team locked in on the Miners.

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