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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 34-3 loss at Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Dean III #21 of the Florida Gators intercepts a throw from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL- SEPTEMBER 21: Trey Dean III #21 of the Florida Gators intercepts a throw from Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half of the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

1. Quarterback controversy?

Jeremy Pruitt shocked the world by benching Jarrett Guarantano at the start of the third quarter and going to Brian Maurer. It made sense. Guarantano had two interceptions in the first half to add to all the struggles he’s had this year.

One wasn’t his fault. But on the second one, it came after he blatantly missed Dominick Wood-Anderson for a wide-open touchdown. The interception came from a miscommunication between him and Marquez Callaway.

Maurer did provide a spark. He drove Tennessee football into field goal range to cut the score to 17-3 and make it a game for a minute. His quick strikes and mobility energized everybody in Vol Nation watching the game.

But Florida adjusted, and Maurer had an interception and a stalled drive the next two possessions. Pruitt and Jim Chaney then brought Guarantano back in, and he provided another spark by driving them back into field goal range.

However, a false start and turnover killed that drive in the fourth quarter. What does this mean going into the bye week? Guarantano looks better, but Maurer does bring more mobility and maybe a bit more energy. The Vols have an open date to figure this out.

They also could turn to J.T. Shrout. All of these guys are in play. Maurer has the mobility and a quick zip, but his decision-making is questionable. Guarantano has the big arm, the experience and can stand in the pocket and take a hit. Shrout actually always makes the right decision, but he never puts the right touch on the ball. So this is something to figure out.

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