Tennessee football: Five last-minute predictions vs. Florida

3. Hendon Hooker throws his first interception of the year.

It’s actually an insane stat. hendon Hooker hasn’t thrown an interception since Tennessee football’s loss to the Georgia Bulldogs last year. He threw 31 touchdowns and three interceptions that season, and this year, he already has six touchdowns and no interceptions. Add in the fact that he’s limited his sacks, and he’s taken a huge step forward.

That comes to an end in this game. Look, Hooker will still be efficient, but if any team is going to force Hooker to make a mistake, it’s Florida. They play press coverage on the outside and gamble a lot, so a mistake by Hooker here or there is bound to result in an interception at some point.

Add in the fact that Cedric Tillman isn’t playing, eliminating a huge safety blanket for Hooker, and the Vols are destined to finally see this streak end. It won’t kill them in the end, but if Hooker doesn’t throw a pick here, he might not throw a pick the entire season.

What makes matters worse for UT is that linebacker Ventrell Miller may actually play for Florida. Miller calls most of the plays for the defense, so he’ll do his job to make sure Florida’s players are in the right spots. That’s another factor that will likely cause an interception at some point.