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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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Tennessee punter/placekicker Paxton Brooks (37) preparers to take the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Tennpitt0910 00133
Tennessee punter/placekicker Paxton Brooks (37) preparers to take the field before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Pittsburgh Panthers in Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022.Tennpitt0910 00133 /

5. Can Vols limit special teams issues?

Here’s another mistake-prone aspect of Tennessee football. There’s no way around it. Special teams has been awful the past two weeks. Paxton Brooks has shanked two punts in each game, one for just 36 yards and one for just 30 yards. He booted a 49-yarder last week, but it went for a touchback, having the opposite effect of what he wanted.

More importantly, though, the Vols nearly let Pitt come back and win that game because of a blocked punt and a muffed punt by Trevon Flowers. Add in a late kickoff last week that was returned to near midfield and Chase McGrath’s first missed field goal of the season, and this is a problem for Rocky Top.

Now, to be fair, McGrath’s miss was from 47 yards out. That may not seem like a huge deal. However, Florida has an elite kicker in Adam Mihalek, who is perfect on field goals and extra points this year. Like McGrath, he has nailed a 50-yarder, so he can be very reliable.

Vol fans know first-hand the importance of field goal kicking in this game. They won in overtime in 1998 because of that difference and in regulation in 2004. If Florida can make that a difference plus force a mistake in the punt game, then Tennessee football is in trouble.

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