Tennessee Volunteers @ Florida Gators: What To Watch For
By Zach Ragan
Sep 7, 2013; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Brent Brewer (17) after intercepting a pass by Western Kentucky Hilltoppers quarterback Brandon Doughty (12) (not pictured) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers will take the field on Saturday hoping to erase an eight game losing streak to their bitter rivals, the Florida Gators.
The Vols haven’t beat the Gators since James Wilhoit kicked a 50-yard to field goal to lift the Vols to victory in 2004.
Last year’s showdown between the Volunteers and the Gators was expected to be a win for the Vols by many. College Gameday was in town and there was a lot of optimism in Knoxville that Tennessee would end the losing streak. It wasn’t to be, as Florida surged to a second half lead, in what was the beginning of the end for then coach Derek Dooley.
Florida is heavily favored in this matchup and everything would have to go right for the Vols to pull the upset. Here’s what to watch for as Tennessee tries to avoid falling to .5o0 on the season.
Quarterback Play
Without a doubt the main thing that folks will be watching for on Saturday will be the play of Tennessee’s quarterback. Mainly, who will be under center for the Vols.
Butch Jones has already said he may wait until gametime to decide who will start at quarterback for the Vols. I fully expect Justin Worley to be under center for Tennessee again this week.
If Worley is indeed the starter, then the biggest thing to watch for will be if Worley takes shots down field. Worley has been a game-manager in every sense of the word so far this season. If he wants to lead the Vols to an upset this season, then he’ll have to be willing to shed the game-manager label and take chances down-the-field.
Butch Jones has repeatedly said, the Volunteers’ need “splash plays” and that’s something that they just haven’t getting out of the offense so far this season.
Florida Defensive Line VS Tennessee Offensive Line
Tennessee is widely regarded as having one of the best offensive lines in the SEC, if not the entire country.
Florida, on the other hand, has one of the top defensive lines in the conference.
When these two teams get together — something will have to give.
Florida’s defensive front held Miami to just 50 rushing yards on 28 attempts in their meeting two weeks ago. That’s 1.8 yards per carry. If the Gators can limit the Vols’ ground game the same way they did against Miami, then Tennessee won’t stand a chance in this game.
Florida’s offensive line will be the greatest challenge the Vol’s offensive line has seen this season.
If Tennessee’s esteemed offensive line wants to prove they can dominate the upper-echelon of the SEC, then they won’t have a greater opportunity than this week.
Distribution Of Running Back Carries
So far this season senior running back Rajion Neal has been receiving the majority of the carries, but Marlin Lane has been the one that’s looked the part of an SEC running back.
According to the Tennessee coaching staff, Marlin Lane is now 100% healthy and will be pushing Rajion Neal.
Neal will still probably get the “start” against Florida, but Lane could end up receiving the most carries. Lane is a more physical runner than Neal, something that will be absolutely necessary against the physical defense that Florida presents.
Regardless of which running back receivers the bulk of the carries against Florida, you’ll see a healthy does of the Volunteers’ rushing attack.
Which Wide Receiver Will Step Up For The Vols?
The Vols wide receiver position is probably the Vols’ most inexperienced position on the field (other than quarterback). Tennessee needs a receiver to step up as a “go-to guy” in the worst way imaginable.
The Vols have battled through injuries, specifically at the all-important slot receiver position. Devrin Young is still out with a broken hand and true freshman Ryan Jenkins will take a medical redshirt this season. Johnathon Johnson and Pig Howard have also battled through injuries, but both are expected back this week.
True freshman Marquez North is still growing into his role as a playmaker, while fellow true freshman Josh Smith is going through some growing pains of his own.
Smith, a Knoxville native, has the potential to be one of the Vols’ most consistent receivers, but it’s important to remember he’s a true freshman, he’s still going to make some mistakes.
If the Vols want to have a successful passing game, then someone from the slot is going to have to step-up and be a go-to option for Justin Worley (or whoever starts at QB). In addition to a slot guy stepping up, the Vols really need North to step-up and show why he was one of the most coveted wide receivers in the southeast.