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Tennessee football vs. Florida: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Gators

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 7, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a yellow penalty flag on the field during the Arizona Cardinals Red and White training camp practice at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Will Vols be able to limit penalty issues?

If there’s one issue that could cost Tennessee football, it’s penalties. Josh Heupel’s system opens the door for that, and the Vols had double-digit penalties in four of their six losses last year. They definitely cost them at home against the Pittsburgh Panthers and in the Music City Bowl against the Purdue Boilermakers.

This year, the issue seems to be plaguing them again. UT is one of the worst teams on the year in penalties, giving up 73.7 penalty yards a game and committing eight a game, both of which put them outside the top 100. Last week against Akron, they committed 11 penalties and gave up 118 yards, a double-digit penalty game.

Now, some of those calls were ticky tack, but what are the Vols going to do if the officials call this game that way? Florida is one of the least penalized teams, committing just under five and a half for 38 yards a game, the latter of which is in the top 20 and the former of which is in the top 40.

Given Billy Napier’s attention to detail and Heupel’s focus on tempo, Tennessee football will naturally be more prone to penalties. However, the disparity can’t be that great in this game. Here is an area that, if the Florida curse holds, could be magnified on Saturday.

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