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Tennessee football vs. Florida: 10 keys to the game for Vols and Gators

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) and wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) and wide receiver Justin Shorter (4) prior to the game against the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. What type of passing attack, if any, can the Gators generate?

This depends on how well Anthony Richardson can keep the defense honest with his legs, and signs point to him being banged up. However, if he can’t do that, he’ll have to be better throwing the ball, and Florida may have a major problem getting the passing game going.

Richardson has completed just 41 of 77 passes (53.2 percent) for 423 yards (5.5 yards per attempt), 0 touchdowns and two interceptions. His play the last two weeks, with his legs more limited, has been atrocious. Is that going to continue into this week, or will he finally be able to throw more from the pocket?

There’s a tradition of Florida quarterbacks coming alive against the Vols, and Richardson could certainly do that. On the other side of this coin, UT has been awful with its intermediate pass defense. Every team has been able to move the ball on them somewhat, forcing them into a bend but don’t break situation. Can Florida do that here?

Once again, if history comes into play, they can. However, judging just based on what we’ve seen so far, it’s not in the cards. Even against Utah, Richardson didn’t do much through the air. Tennessee football has no excuse not to shut this down, but if the Gators can generate anything through the air, this gets interesting.

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