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Tennessee football vs. Florida: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Jan 2, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt watches his team stretch out before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2020 Taxslayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2020; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Jeremy Pruitt watches his team stretch out before the game against the Indiana Hoosiers in the 2020 Taxslayer Gator Bowl at TIAA Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /
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KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
KNOXVILLE, TN – SEPTEMBER 12: A general view of the goalpost before a game between the UCLA Bruins and the Tennessee Volunteers on September 12, 2009 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee. UCLA beat Tennessee 19-15. (Photo by Joe Murphy/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

8. Which field goal kicker is more reliable?

Both Tennessee football and the Florida Gators have kickers who have a ton of range but struggle with consistency. Against the Auburn Tigers, Brent Cimaglia made one of three field goals, missing a 50-yarder and a 37-yarder. Auburn’s kicker, meanwhile, Anders Carlson, made his 50-yarder and hit all three field goals. That’s why it wasn’t a one-score game late.

Cimaglia can hit from 50, as he did against the Arkansas Razorbacks and multiple times before this year, but he’s now missed multiple kicks inside 40. For some reason, there’s been a regression with him, although he still hasn’t missed an extra point in his career.

Anyway, it’s a bit of an even odder story with Evan McPherson. The guy has made all four 50-plus yard attempts this year, and he’s 11-of-13 overall. However, he’s only one-for-three in the 40 to 49 yard range. Simply put, consistency is an issue with him as well.

What will come of this on Saturday? Place kicking has a history of being huge in this game. Ask James Wilhoit in 2004 or Jeff Hall and Collins Cooper in 1998. A couple of missed field goals could change the complexion of the entire game, either deciding a winner or deciding whether or not the game is close or a blowout. Both kickers could be huge in that role Saturday.

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