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Tennessee football: Five reasons Vols could upset Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) celebrates with fellow quarterbacks Brian Maurer (18) and J.T. Shrout (12) after defeating Kentucky 17-13 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.Kns Kentucky Vols Football
Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) celebrates with fellow quarterbacks Brian Maurer (18) and J.T. Shrout (12) after defeating Kentucky 17-13 at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019.Kns Kentucky Vols Football /

Here’s why the Tennessee football Volunteers can beat UF.

It’s a tale of two completely different teams. Tennessee football is 2-5 and on a five-game losing streak. The Vols are set to host the Florida Gators, who are 7-1, ranked No. 6 nationally, first in the SEC East and on a five-game winning streak. Meanwhile, UF has a three-game winning streak and is 14-1 dating back to 2005 against the Vols.

Simply put, when Florida heads to Knoxville on Saturday, everything will be pointing to a win for them. The Gators are in contention for a College Football Playoff appearance, and it would be crazy to see them blow that against a Vols program they notoriously own. There’s a reason they are favored by more than two touchdowns.

Taking all that into account, though, don’t count out UT just yet. There are a few wacky things that provide cause for believing in the Vols. Here are five reasons Tennessee football could shock Florida on Rocky Top Saturday afternoon.

5. Quarterback situation could leave Florida guessing

Hey, say what you want, but all of the Vols’ quarterback issues may favor them. Jarrett Guarantano has been the starter all year and has played almost all the important series. Harrison Bailey saw action in garbage time against the Auburn Tigers and never got a chance to make an impact against the Arkansas Razorbacks.

Brian Maurer played the bulk of the second half against Arkansas but didn’t do much, and J.T. Shrut threw an interception on his only series all year, in the first half against the Kentucky Wildcats. Although Guarantano is the favorite to start, Jeremy Pruitt recently said Bailey will definitely play on Saturday.

Taking all that into account, there may be reason to believe that Florida’s defense is not prepared. They have struggled at times this year anyway, and Tennessee football will likely gash them at points on the ground and with a couple of big plays anyway. Against a quarterback they aren’t ready for, it could even be more in favor of UT.

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