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Tennessee football: 10 offseason improvements Vols must make before 2019

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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1. Holding onto the ball

In addition to lack of vision, Tennessee football’s running backs had a major issue holding onto the ball all season long. And it went across the running backs, quarterbacks and yes, the wide receivers and tight ends.

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    • The Vols were in the Top 30 in fewest turnovers. But they were tied for No. 102 in the nation in fewest fumbles lost with 11. That’s an atrocious number, and it’s safe to say that fumbles cost them against the Florida Gators and kept them out of the game against the Missouri Tigers.

    Remember, the Vols spotted Florida 23 points overall and left at least 13 points on the field all because of six turnovers and a safety. But all 13 of those points that they left on the field and 14 of the 23 that they spotted the Gators were due to fumbles. That was atrocious.

    Jeremy Banks ended any chance of making a game look respectable for them against the Georgia Bulldogs a week later. Then, against the Missouri Tigers, Carlin Fils-Aime had a fumble returned for a touchdown that put Mizzou in control.

    Holding onto the ball was an issue all season long, and it’s something that the Vols can’t afford to let happen next year. When you’re undermanned, the last thing you can afford to do is not create turnovers and be one of the leading fumbling teams yourself.

    Next. 5 things for Vols fans to watch for in 2019. dark

    Looking at all these key issues we have brought up here, not one of them would have likely affected the outcome of more than one game. But fumbling the ball is always a top issue, especially since Jeremy Pruitt wants to make Tennessee football a physical team. So if they do this in the future, they’ll be in trouble. And that’s why it’s the top thing they need to address.

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