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Tennessee football vs. Florida: 5 Vols to watch for against Gators

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Darrin Kirkland Jr. #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers returns an interception for a touchdown during a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Darrin Kirkland Jr. #34 of the Tennessee Volunteers returns an interception for a touchdown during a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Elsa/Getty Images
Photo by Elsa/Getty Images /

Tennessee football’s offensive line play has been a serious issue the first three weeks of the season. But on Saturday, it could become a bigger problem. The Vols are facing a Florida Gators defense that, like their own defense, is dealing with the growing pains of transitioning to a 3-4.

However, Florida’s growing pains have come by getting torched on the ground. Before facing the Colorado State Rams, who may have the worst rushing offense in FBS anyway, the Gators gave up over 200 and over 300 yards in their first two games respectively on the ground. So they’ve been useless in stopping the run.

On the other hand, though, their pass rush has been great. These guys have eight sacks on the season. So, when it comes to blocking, the blindside tackle will be the most important player on Saturday to stop the Gators’ pass rush and carve out some running lanes. And that blindside tackle is Trey Smith.

Smith was Tennessee’s best offensive lineman last year, and Jeremy Pruitt has full faith in him this year as well. However, although he’s 100 percent, Pruitt noted that he is still learning the system because of the illnesses that kept him out of practices in the spring and the start of fall camp.

As a result, Smith’s play will be huge for the Vols in this game. The more he’s picked up as the best lineman playing the most crucial spot, the better UT will be. If he still struggles, then the Vols could be in for a brutal Saturday.

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