Tennessee football vs. Missouri: Keys to the game

1. Can the Vols continue to take care of the ball?

Obviously, the biggest difference last week for Tennessee football was turnovers. The Vols didn’t commit any, and they forced two. One was a pick-six by Henry To’o To’o, and the other was a fumble recovery on a punt that allowed them to run out the clock.

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Now, the Missouri Tigers had three fumbles and lost two of them against the Alabama Crimson Tide. If the Vols are going to make sure they control this game, they’ll have to dominate the turnover battle once again. This somewhat goes back to Mizzou’s quarterback situation. Alternating players there should allow UT to wreak some havoc.

What’s key for UT, though, is taking care of the ball itself. Mizzou did recover a fumble once Nick Saban pulled the starters last week, but outside of that, they didn’t force any turnovers. The best way for them to be in this game is by forcing a couple.

With his accuracy issues, Jarrett Guarantano’s best selling point to remain the Vols’ starting quarterback is his ability to make the right decision and not cough up the ball. If that issue joins his accuracy issue, as it did early last year, then Rocky Top is in serious trouble. Eliah Drinkwitz will have all the tools for a huge upset.

It may seem basic, but Tennessee football’s win last week is as old as time. Forcing two turnovers and committing none themselves was the story. As a result, that will once again be the biggest key for them to win this game.