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Tennessee football: Five reasons Vols can upset Florida Gators

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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Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images
Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images /

4. The Gators are more mistake-prone.

Yes, there have been numerous issues with Tennessee football throughout the start of the season. They have a minus-three turnover margin in games against FBS schools. But that’s more due to their inability to force turnovers than their issues with turning the ball over. In fact, they have gotten better each week.

The Vols have four turnovers in three games, but they’ve gone from two to one to zero. Meanwhile, Florida has six turnovers on the year, which puts them out of the top 100 in terms of protecting the ball. That alone is a huge factor in Jeremy Pruitt’s favor. You can also add that after forcing five turnovers last week, albeit in an FCS game, UT does have a plus-two margin.

At the same time, Florida is one of the most penalized teams in the nation. They are ranked No. 102 nationally in fewest penalty yards per game with 69.3. It’s the opposite for Rocky Top. Say what you want about Pruitt, but his kids are disciplined when it comes to limiting penalties. They only have 46.3 penalty yards per game, good for top 40 in fewest yards in the nation.

A combination of turnovers and penalties could be just what the Vols need to pull off the upset. Remember that hideous win UT had over the Miami Hurricanes way back in 2003? It came down to those two factors. Maybe that could happen here, provided that Jarrett Guarantano specifically avoids making critical mistakes.

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