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Tennessee football vs. Bowling Green: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 29: A general view of Neyland Stadium during the South Carolina Gamecocks game against the Tennessee Volunteers on October 29, 2011 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Oct 5, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Bowling Green Falcons head coach Scot Loeffler checks his notes before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 5, 2019; South Bend, IN, USA; Bowling Green Falcons head coach Scot Loeffler checks his notes before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Who handles pressure better?

We already mentioned the offseason rust and the off-the-field distractions. However, for a season-opener, there are tons of intangibles that go into the game, and this one is no different. In fact, it’s actually worse than it usually is for programs.

Tennessee football enters a new era with Josh Heupel, and he was hired by new athletic director Danny White. The last coaching move was athletic director Phillip Fulmer, a former offensive lineman, hiring a defensive-minded coach in Jeremy Pruitt. Fulmer insisted that there was a need for toughness and intensity to win in the SEC more than being “cute” and entertaining.

White has gone the opposite way in hiring Heupel. He brought the guy with him from the UCF Knights specifically to make the Vols the most entertaining show in the SEC. There is lots of pressure on Heupel to deliver given all the talk about his offense.

On the other hand, the Bowling Green Falcons have their own pressure. After seasons of 3-9 and 0-5, Scot Loeffler is clearly on the hot seat, and he’s got to prove himself. He is offensive-minded guy, and his offense was historically bad last year. Against a Power Five team with defensive issues, this is his chance to prove his offense has finally turned a corner.

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