SEC Football: Five things we learned from Week 4

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2. The curse is real for Tennessee

Midway through the fourth quarter, Tennessee was in control of the game with a double-digit lead. We could break down the specifics of the fourth quarter, but the overall storyline of Tennessee football is more interesting. This marks the 11th straight game the Volunteers have lost to the Gators.

Last season, Tennessee allowed a fourth quarter comeback in Knoxville by Will Muschamp’s Gators. This season was supposed to be different with the team being a year older in addition to the way the Vols have played early in the season. At the most basic level, if you were a person just after the games between Florida and Tennessee you would begin to speculate that the Gators have put a curse on the Volunteers.

There is no opponent on the schedule that Tennessee fans want to beat more than Florida. Florida was able to accomplish multiple fourth down conversions while Tennessee suffered a crucial late penalty all to watch the game slip away just right of the upright.

Beyond the obvious rivalry storyline, this is the second time in two weeks where Tennessee has blown a large fourth quarter lead against a quality opponent. Baker Mayfield and the Oklahoma Sooners stole an overtime victory in similar fashion.

All the praise that Butch Jones gained for turning things around in Knoxville is beginning to turn into skepticism over whether his team can finish out big games. The term “potential” can only be used so long. The impact of losses to both Oklahoma and Florida cannot be overstated.

Next: Kentucky is for real