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Tennessee football at Florida: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Nov 3, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the second half between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers . Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2018; Gainesville, FL, USA; A general view of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium during the second half between the Florida Gators and Missouri Tigers . Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; A Tennessee Volunteers helmet is seen pregame before the game against the West Virginia Mountaineers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Can Vols’ defense maintain third down success vs. Florida?

Here’s another, more significant advantage Tennessee football appears to have right now. The Vols are No. 12 nationally in third down conversion defense with opponents having a 27.5 percent success rate. Despite all the talk of Josh Heupel’s offense, UT’s defense getting off the field has been the story through three weeks.

Offenses have converted on just 14 of 51 attempts against the Vols. Now, they are 2-of-5 on fourth downs, but that isn’t bad. What’s clear is that Rocky Top has done its job on third downs, and one was against a pass-happy offense in Pitt.

Now, on the other side, Florida is the best third down team they will have faced all year Saturday offensively. The Gators have a 45 percent success rate on third downs, good for No. 46 nationally. That’s not the most amazing rate ever, but it’s a tougher one than the Vols have faced so far.

As a result, now we find out just how legitimate the Vols’ third down defense is. If they can maintain that advantage against Dan Mullen’s offense, this game may get more interesting than people expect. Both teams have missed on four fourth down attempts apiece, so third downs will be the key in this game.

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