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Tennessee football: Five last-minute predictions vs. Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

Smokey during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football Bp
Smokey during Tennessee’s football game against Akron in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022.Kns Ut Akron Football Bp /
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Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) works out prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators head coach Billy Napier talks with Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) works out prior to the game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Anthony Richardson still fails to throw a touchdown.

While Hendon Hooker’s streak of no interceptions will come to an end, Tennessee football will continue the streak of Anthony Richardson throwing no touchdown passes. For the third straight week, Billy Napier is not going to use Richardson’s legs despite what he showed he could do in the opener against Utah.

That’s partially because Richardson has been banged up since a hit he took against Kentucky, but it’s also due to Florida not having a backup quarterback. Jack Miller and Jaydon Hill are both out, so if Richardson gets hurt, the Gators are in trouble. That makes for two reasons not to use him.

When Richardson’s legs aren’t a threat, he can’t do much throwing the ball. The Vols don’t have the best intermediate pass defense, but they are good enough, and they have faced two pro-style offenses already. Richardson will likely be worse than the Ball State Cardinals or Pitt when it comes to the intermediate passing game without mobility.

As a result, the Vols will shut him down all game. The pressure from Byron Young and Tyler Baron will be what really wreaks havoc on the passing attack, and Aaron Beasley will be a solid linebacker in coverage too. With Juwan Mitchell back, Richardson will finish this week with still no touchdown passes on the year.

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