The over is also 19-7 in Tennessee’s last 26 games in September and is 7-3 in Florida’s last 10 games in September as well.
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And Tennessee has been on the wrong end of blowouts in this streak. We know we’re rivals and we know we pretty much don’t like each other.
Both teams in the Tennessee-Florida game figure to be missing key players. However, the question in 2016 is can the Vols finally do it?
“Defensively, they are going to make you earn every yard that you get”, Jones said. College GameDay will also be on hand that morning, broadcasting live from Rocky Top from 9 a.m.to 12 p.m. ET. Which would meet, or exceed all expectations for most fans. Nor will they need to worry that the Vols will be 3 dive plays and out if they need to hang onto the ball. Week after week the Vols have came out against sub-par competition, and have under performed. It will not be good for Georgia if they come out of this weekend with a loss and still have to play both Florida and Tennessee. And before that it was his choices, and decisions made concerning player personnel.
To call Tennessee senior Josh Dobbs the SEC’s top dual-threat quarterback is a disservice.
Florida coach Jim McElwain credits predecessor Will Muschamp, now at SC, for assembling numerous players who comprise this defense.
That defense has spent much of the week focusing on how it can better contain Dobbs.
Tennessee’s defensive line – led by Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen, Danny O’Brien – will try to make Appleby’s introduction to the SEC miserable. Florida quarterback Chris Leak completed a touchdown pass to Dallas Baker and the Vols kicked a field goal to extend their lead to 20-14. So if DeBord will use his strengths, quit trying to use him as a pocket passing quarterback, and let him be himself Tennessee may see more success in the 1st, and 2nd quarter. The Vols’ running game was supposed to be next to unstoppable but that has not been the case so far.
The Vol’s meanwhile with wins over Appalachian, Virginia Tech and OH, they struggled in all those games, with the biggest win over the Hokies.
“Again, it’s a great rivalry”.
Making fewer mistakes is a great start. Against teams like Florida the Vols can’t afford to fall behind.
But there was some good news for Tennessee.
“I don’t want to take anything away from last year’s (Florida) defense, but I believe this defense is a lot better”, Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord said. They are just to big, and to slow laterally. On the next drive, Florida was facing fourth-and11 at the Tennessee 28-yard line, but freshman Tim Tebow replaced Leak and picked up the crucial first down.
No one really knows what to expect from Jones’ squad in this one thanks to the fact that they have been inconsistent against far less talented teams. By narrowing down the space, it gives athletic lineman, and quick lineman less space to move. “We’re going to have to maintain our rush lanes when they do throw it and get him hopefully a little uncomfortable and not be able to get his feet set exactly like he wants to and not let him take over the game with his feet like he did against us previous year”. Reeves-Maybin will get his opportunities because of the porous play from the Volunteer’s defensive line. Tennessee has the talent to compete in the SEC, but will they show up in this game? However, that’s not the only reason.
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Spurrier, an import from the Volunteer State who played high school football in Johnson City, Tennessee, added fuel to the Florida-Tennessee rivalry. Which is a big turn around compared to recent years. Have the Vols been looking ahead and playing without focus or is it the stress of expectations?
