Tennessee football at Georgia: Keys to the game for Vols and Dawgs

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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Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images /

6. Can Tennessee limit turnovers?

Through the first two games, the Vols had no turnovers. Then they had two against the UTEP Miners, but we thought that was more about a bad week of practice. The game against the Florida Gators, though, showed just how bad this team is at taking care of the ball.

Tennessee had six turnovers and allowed a safety on top of that, and their turnover advantage on the season has all of a sudden gone out the window. To make matters worse, they’re facing a Georgia team that has forced eight turnovers and is plus-five on the year in that department.

Simply put, one team has a clear advantage here. Tennessee football’s biggest disadvantage in its last loss was obviously the turnover margin, so if they could somehow reverse that against a much better team, they may be able to generate some positive plays.

Don’t forget that before last week, Jarrett Guarantano didn’t have any turnovers on the season. So it could be that the last game against Florida was a fluke. We’ll know soon enough as the Vols face a much more brutal defense in UGA.

Tennessee football somehow winning the turnover battle Saturday would defy all odds. But maybe they got all their turnovers out of their system against Florida. As they learn the system more, taking care of the ball should become easier.