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Tennessee football: Five areas Vols improved as 2019 season progressed

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with Eric Gray #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Jarrett Guarantano #2 of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with Eric Gray #3 of the Tennessee Volunteers after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images /

1. Improved efficiency from Jarrett Guarantano

Nobody was about to debate this one. Jarrett Guarantano was the biggest scapegoat of Tennessee football’s 0-2 start, and we have to say his horrendous play against the BYU Cougars made him worthy of that blame.

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After throwing two interceptions against the Florida Gators, he was benched in favor of Brian Maurer. Then came a bye, and Maurer settled in as the starter. Guarantano came in and helped secure a win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs, but then he humiliated himself by going rogue a the Alabama Crimson Tide on the fumble returned for a touchdown.

Heading into their game against the South Carolina Gamecocks, the Vols were 2-5. Guarantano, meanwhile, had eight touchdowns and six turnovers. But at that point, everything changed. Despite getting hurt against S.C., Guarantano was able to throw for two touchdowns and put the Vols in front for good before going out.

However, the highlight of Guarantano’s season came during a two-game road stand. He came off the bench to lead the Vols’ back from a 13-3 halftime deficit to beat the Kentucky Wildcats, and then he threw for over 400 yards to beat the Missouri Tigers. In both games, he had key third down conversion at the end to secure the win.

Next. Top 10 Vols players of 2019. dark

Finally, Guarantano had a major turnaround to beat the Indiana Hoosiers in the Gator Bowl. It was indicative of his entire season with Tennessee football, and nobody improved dramatically the way he did, so he, like Eric Gray, is an individual who gets to be on this list.

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