Today on Rocky Top: Vols’ Rankings, Injury Updates, Florida
Tennessee football rankings, injury reports, and news against the Florida Gators headline the Volunteers updates on Rocky Top for Monday, Sept. 19, 2016.
It is officially Florida week! Excitement is bubbling on Rocky Top with the Vols’ real season about to begin, and by hook or crook they are 3-0.
Tennessee may be looking ugly, but Vols fans have put all of that behind them. They now begin the brutal four-game stretch we have all been waiting for, and it of course begins with Florida.
All week, we will be wondering if they can finally get over the streak. Can they finally pull out the much-needed victory in Butch Jones’s fourth year against the enemies from Gainesville?
Well, injuries have certainly thrown a wrench in the game. And the rankings are even more interesting.
We’ll get to all of that here, with your news on Rocky Top for Monday, Sept. 19.
Vols move up in rankings – Rhiannon Potkey of the Knoxville News Sentinel
"Entering a season-defining stretch, the Tennessee football team moved up a few spots in the rankings released on Sunday.The Vols (3-0) jumped to No. 12 from No. 15 in the USA Today coaches’ poll and to No. 14 from No. 15 in The Associated Press poll following its 28-19 victory over Ohio."
Vols injury updates – Adam Vingan of The Tennessean
"The Vols lost linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin to an undisclosed injury during the second quarter of their 28-19 victory over Ohio. After the game, Tennessee coach Butch Jones said Reeves-Maybin injured his shoulder but added, “we anticipate having him back this week’’ for Florida.Reeves-Maybin, a Clarksville native who has led Tennessee in tackling the previous two seasons, sustained the injury while attempting to make a tackle on a punt return.Tennessee, already missing linebacker Darrin Kirkland because of injury, also lost Cameron Sutton"
Florida turns to Austin Appleby vs Vols – Mark Long of the AP
"Florida quarterback Austin Appleby has starting experience, even in hostile environments.More valuable for the fifth-year senior: His defense leads the nation in points (4.7), yards (129.7) and sacks (16). So the 19th-ranked Gators might not need Appleby to do too much at No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday."
Vols open as favorites vs Florida – Ryan Callahan of 247Sports
"No. 14 Tennessee opened Sunday as a 10-point favorite against 19th-ranked Florida for its SEC opener Saturday afternoon at Neyland Stadium, according to VegasInsider.com.The line quickly moved to 8.5 points on Sunday, with the Vols (3-0) dealing with injuries to several starters — including star cornerback Cameron Sutton and starting linebackers Darrin Kirkland Jr. and Jalen Reeves-Maybin — coming off their 28-19 win over Ohio on Saturday at Neyland Stadium."