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Tennessee football: Five takeaways from Vols’ 41-21 win over Gamecocks

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers warms up before the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images
Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images /

2. The Vols finally exploited their major advantage at wide receiver.

They did this against the Georgia Bulldogs, to be fair. But this was always Tennessee football’s biggest strength, and we have been saying all year that Jim Chaney should just rely on them to make big plays downfield regardless of what his quarterback, whomever is playing at the time, is able to do.

He finally listened. In this game, UT had the rotation we expected to see early in the year at receiver. Jauan Jennings, being who he is, led the team in receiving with seven catches for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Marquez Callaway, however, added three receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown. And then there was Callaway’s punt return for a touchdown.

Jennings and Callaway as a dynamic duo did exactly what they were always supposed to do, with Jennings as the big pay guy from scrimmage while Callaway makes similar big pays and helps out on special teams. By the way, three of their combined four touchdowns resulted in lead chances, showing just how critical they are.

Then there was Josh Palmer, who was always supposed to be the starter in the slot. Well, he was third on the team in receiving with five receptions for 55 yards. So this was a complete performance by the weapons on Rocky Top, one that everybody had been waiting to see. And it could be a turning point down the stretch of the season as well. That’s a big deal.

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