Tennessee football vs. Chattanooga: 10 keys for Vols and Mocs

3. Can Tennessee avoid turning it over?

In their opener against the Georgia State Panthers, Tennessee football had three turnovers. They actually could have had six, as they fumbled it four times while Jarrett Guarantano threw two interceptions. But one interception was waived off due to a penalty. And they only lost two of the fumbles they committed. So they were actually very lucky to even be in that game at all.

However, the very next week, Guarantano threw an interception into triple-coverage and should have thrown three more picks on the day. That one turnover set up the BYU Cougars’ one touchdown in regulation, and it’s why they were able to kick a game-tying field goal set up from that deep pass to send the game into overtime.

Simply put, the Vols have committed key turnovers at the worst times to allow teams either back in games or to take control of games. That touchdown against BYU put them back in the game. Their first turnover against GSU spotted them the first touchdown and a 7-0 lead in the game. Meanwhile, their second one set them up for a two-score lead.

So all of the Vols’ turnovers have proven critical this year, and that’s the last thing they can afford against even an FCS team like the Chattanooga Mocs. If they continue to have this issue, then yes, they may lose again. It is a cliche issue, but it’s one that has affected Jeremy Pruitt’s team dramatically through the first two games of the year.