Tennessee football vs. Missouri: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Tigers

7. Can Mizzou lessen Vols’ advantage in the turnover margin?

Here is a huge advantage Tennessee football may have. Missouri is No. 106 on the year in most turnovers lost with 17. Their -4 margin puts them higher up at No. 93, so they at least force more turnovers than average, but that’s still an issue given the fact that the Vols have been great about not turning it over all year.

UT’s 10 turnovers on the season ranks them No. 25 in fewest turnovers. Meanwhile, their margin of +8 puts them at No. 11. Rocky Top has gained 18 turnovers on the year, which ties them for No. 18 in the nation, so they have a huge advantage in this one that Mizzou somehow has to lessen.

Even crazier is the fact that there’s no specific area the Vols are better at. They have recovered nine fumbles on the year and come away with nine interceptions. Mizzou, for its part, has thrown nine interceptions and lost eight fumbles on the year, so they are pretty consistent too.

If the Tigers are to make this a game as they did against Georgia, they have to limit this margin at all costs. In fact, they probably have to somehow find a way to turn it to their advantage, and that could end up being extremely difficult. However, failure to do that will likely result in a blowout by the Vols.