Florida Gators

Tennessee vs Florida: 10 Keys to the Game for Vols and Gators

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Sep 1, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers fans after winning in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 20-13. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee vs Florida is back, and once again this game has huge SEC East implications. Here are the 10 keys to the game for the Volunteers and Gators.

When it comes to Tennessee vs Florida, the usual rules of football always apply. You want to win the rushing battle, win the turnover battle, and play the best on special teams.

It’s essentially all the conventional rules. That was even the case in the 1990s when Steve Spurrier brought his fun-n-gun to the SEC.

For the most part, Florida has won these battles over the years. The 11-game winning streak obviously proves it.

This year, if Tennessee hopes to end that streak, they have to change that.

However, we can go deeper into how the Vols can win these battles. The Vols and Gators have both shown enough flashes over the past three weeks to give us a good idea of what both need to do to win this game.

They also both have tons of experience and a lot of returning talent. In short, this game could go any way. There’s no real magic formula for either team to win.

With two key defensive players out on Tennessee and a backup quarterback for Florida, both teams have plenty of questions going into this game. Here, we’ll take a look at what those questions are and what each team will be able to do.

Can Tennessee finally end the streak? Will the Gators continue their dominance?

Here are the 10 keys to the Tennessee vs Florida game in 2016.

Nov 28, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers place kicker Aaron Medley (25) kicks the ball off against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 53-28. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

10. Who wins the kicking and punting game?

Like we said, Tennessee vs Florida often comes down to standard things in a football game. Kicking and punting is part of that. Heck just ask James Wilhoit in 2004, Collins Cooper and Jeff Hall in 1998, and even Jeff Chandler in 1999.

All these guys were the differences for their teams in winning this game.

This year, it will be a huge deal again. Florida has a kicker in Eddie Pineiro who has made five of seven field goals and is three of five from beyond 40 yards, which is pretty good.

Aaron Medley is continuing his tradition of being automatic under 40 yards but struggling beyond 40 yards. This year, Pineiro seems to have the kicking advantage. He has also a 50-yard kick, which Medley does not have.

Meanwhile, since this game could become a defensive struggle, field position could be huge. So Trevor Daniel’s punting will be a big deal for the Vols if they want to win this game. Can he reach his elite level that he was at last year?

He’ll be up against some serious competition once again in Johnny Townsend, who is averaging over 50 yards a punt through three games so far. Currently, this key favors the Gators overall, but the Vols have the talent to match them.

They have to be able to do that on Saturday. And there’s another unit of special teams that is also key, which brings us to our next point.

Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Evan Berry (29) runs the ball against Ohio Bobcats defensive lineman Andrew Payne (48) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 28 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

9. Can Tennessee break off a big return?

Through three games this year, the Vols have not been as eye-popping in the return game as they were last year. Cameron Sutton had one nice return, but he also fumbled a punt in the opener and is now hurt.

Meanwhile, Alvin Kamara has struggled to get anything going. And the one nice return that Evan Berry had was called back against the Ohio Bobcats.

Berry is now dinged up as well, so that spells more trouble for the Vols in the return game. When Urban Meyer was in Gainesville, the Gators always had a crucial special teams play in the Tennessee vs Florida game to dictate the flow the rest of the day.

Now, with Butch Jones in Knoxville, the advantage there has swung in the Vols favor. So they need to take advantage.

A few big returns would be huge for this team. After all, the Gators do have a loaded defense, and it’s going to be extremely hard to move the ball on them.

In what we expect to be a defensive struggle, kicking and the return game will play huge roles. Tennessee has the return game advantage if you go off of last year. Even with Sutton and Berry hurt, Kamara needs to step up. So do Tyler Byrd and Micah Abernathy, who can make plays there as well.

It’s time for new special teams coach Larry Scott to show his stuff as Mark Elder’s replacement. The Vols need a big return in this game more than any other.

Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Josh Malone (3) runs the ball against the Ohio Bobcats during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 28 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

8. Will any Vols receivers get separation?

Over the past three games, Josh Malone has emerged as a top target for the Vols. The 6’3″ junior has nine receptions for 196 yards and four touchdowns. He has shown a major ability to catch touchdown passes with one and two guys on him.

But on Saturday, going up against Florida’s elite secondary, the Tennessee receivers will need to get separation to make more easy catches. This is the toughest secondary in the country.

And outside of Malone, the receiving corps. has been mediocre. Preston Williams has made far too many mistakes. Jeff George has made a few mental errors. Jauan Jennings hasn’t shown enough since most of his catches were on bubble screens (although he did have a nice fade catch against Virginia Tech for a touchdown). And Josh Smith has been hurt.

All of these guys have to be consistent. Tennessee is going to want to win the game on the ground, but they have to get some type of passing going to keep the defense honest. That will allow Joshua Dobbs and Jalen Hurd to find some running lanes without Florida selling out to stop them.

To do that, the Vols’ receivers need to be able to get open. They have to do it fast as well since the Gators have an elite pass rush. If Tennessee’s receivers can’t get open enough, then the Vols will be rendered one-dimensional.

That would likely turn the Tennessee vs Florida series into a 12-game winning streak for the Gators.

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) after the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tennessee won 45 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

7. Tennessee cornerbacks vs Florida receivers

On the other side of the skill players in the Tennessee vs Florida game, there is a very interesting match-up between the Vols cornerbacks and the Gators receivers. Led by Antonio Callaway, who caught the game-winning touchdown pass against the Vols last year, Florida is loaded with talented receivers.

However, Callaway is dinged up and may not be able to be the playmaker he usually is. That combined with a backup quarterback in Austin Appleby throwing him the football could make things tricky.

Fortunately for Florida, though, Cameron Sutton is hurt for the Vols. Given the way Todd Kelly Jr. has struggled at safety through three games, Tennessee could be in trouble as a result. After all, while the other Vols cornerbacks are good, Sutton was the only guy who could shut down half the field himself.

So Baylen Buchanan, Emmanuel Moseley, and Justin Martin will all be in the rotation to defend Florida’s elite receiving corps. With the problems on both teams, can Tennessee make up for the loss of Sutton?

This is Bob Shoop’s strength as a defensive coordinator, and it’s why Butch Jones brought him in. So he’s going to have to be on top of his game against Jim McElwain.

Moseley struggled last week, but he was also screwed by a bad call and failures by Kelly. This week, the corners still have the pressure to do their job. After all, they are the ones who generated a ton of offseason hype with their depth.

Now is the time for them to show it.

Sep 1, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers defensive back Alex Gray (3) recovers a fumbled punt in front of Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Cameron Sutton (23) during the first quarter at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

6. Can the Vols hang onto the football?

Now this is a big concern for Tennessee football. Turnovers is another huge factor that always plays a role in the Tennessee vs Florida game, and not hanging onto the football cost the Vols in the game last year.

Joshua Dobbs alone had three fumbles, and while he only lost one, another accidentally ran too much time off the clock at the end of the game, and another killed a drive. So all three fumbles were killers.

This year, the Vols have fumbled the ball 11 times, and they’ve only lost it once. So they’ve been incredibly lucky to this point. Part of that luck showed in the first game, when Joshua Dobbs fumbled the ball into the end zone in overtime against the Appalachian State Mountaineers but Jalen Hurd recovered it for a touchdown.

Then they got lucky last week, fumbling the ball five times against the Ohio Bobcats and not losing one of them.

Florida is a lot more athletic than Appalachian State or Ohio, so they are more likely to recover these fumbles. Meanwhile, since they are a much better team, they’re also going to be much more difficult to beat when the Vols make those mistakes.

So Butch Jones, who prides himself on making sure his teams take care of the football, has got to send that message to his players. DO NOT turn the ball over.

Now something that could help them avoid those turnovers brings us to our next point.

Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) drops back to pass against the Ohio Bobcats during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tennessee offensive line play

Yes, the elephant in the room. The Vols’ offensive line has been atrocious through three games this year. Also, some of the most infamous offensive line performances in school history have come in losses during the Tennessee vs Florida game.

That includes 1997, 2006, and 2014. of course, some of the most memorable come from this game as well, including 1998 and 2001.

Going into this game, Tennessee has two major culprits for its early struggles up front: Coleman Thomas and Drew Richmond.

Thomas has failed at center and tackle, and Richmond has tons of talent but is a redshirt freshman who still has a lot to learn. They can both be in the rotation, but the good news for the Vols is that they finally have Chance Hall back at tackle. With him in the starting lineup, Richmond and Thomas can move to the bench, where they need to be for now.

If Hall plays the way he did down the stretch last year, then there should be no problems up front. Brett Kendrick, Jashon Robertson, Jack Jones, and Dylan Wiesman at center have all been good enough.

The Vols desperately need their offensive line to step up on Saturday. For starters, the Gators already the most elite secondary in the country. So it’s going to be very hard for Tennessee receivers to get open. They’ll need time.

If the line can’t protect, Joshua Dobbs will constantly get sacked as a result.

Meanwhile, Butch Jones and Mike DeBord have got to establish the run. That brings us to our next key.

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs for a short gain during the first half against the Virginia Tech Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

4. How much can Tennessee dominate in the running game?

As we said in our preview, the team that wins the rushing battle almost always wins the Tennessee vs Florida game. There have only been three exceptions since they began playing on an annual basis in 1990: 2000, 2002, and 2015. That’s it.

In case you missed it, the Vols lost all three of those times. So they have never won since these teams started playing annually without winning the rushing game.

This year will come down to the rushing attack more so than ever before. With Florida playing a backup quarterback but enjoying the benefits of an incredibly elite secondary, and with Tennessee boasting two elite running backs on their side, the rushing attack will tell the story of this game again.

And really, that all comes down to how well Tennessee runs the ball. Part of being able to do that includes the line blocking and getting something in the passing game. We’ve already broken that down.

But the rest comes to the running backs. Jalen Hurd has to be that Eddie George-type back to wear defenses down, and Alvin Kamara has to come in and make explosive plays whenever he can.

Meanwhile, it’s time to unleash Joshua Dobbs. Butch Jones and Mike DeBord probably didn’t want to run him as much as they did the first three games, but he’s healthy nonetheless. This is where you turn him loose and let him run.

If DeBord can get creative enough, the Vols should be in great shape with those three guys running. It’s time for them to get back to Tennessee football at its traditional best.

Sep 10, 2016; Bristol, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman Shy Tuttle (2) recovers a Virginia Tech Hokies quarterback Jerod Evans (4) fumble during the second half at Bristol Motor Speedway. Tennessee won 45 to 24. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

3. Tennessee’s pass rush vs Florida’s offensive line

This is the other part of Tennessee football at its traditional best. However, things will be difficult in this game.

As great as their secondary and receivers are, the Florida offensive line has been the telling story through three games. The Gators have averaged over 200 rushing yards a game, and they have only allowed one sack.

Meanwhile, the Vols should have the best pass rush in football up front with Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen, and Jonathan Kongbo rotating in and out. And they have been a little bit more tested than the Gators, who have faced some awful defenses.

So this is a match-up everybody wants to see in the Tennessee vs Florida game. And for the Vols, it’s a crucial match-up.

With Cameron Sutton hurt and the Gators starting a backup quarterback, Bob Shoop has to know that the best way to cause trouble is to get pressure on Austin Appleby. Heck, he coached against Appleby for two years when he was with the Penn State Nittany Lions and Appleby was with the Purdue Boilermakers.

Barnett emerged last week into his usual self. This is the game when he once again needs to emerge into a transcendent superstar. He always saves his best for the SEC. Well, it’s SEC time.

If he and Vereen can get pressure on Appleby, the game will go in Tennessee’s favor all night. This is already going to be an ugly defensive struggle. Tennessee’s pass rush has to help the Vols win the field position game.

Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) hands the ball off to running back Jalen Hurd (1) during the second half against the Ohio Bobcats at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 28 to 19. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

2. Who gets the early start?

This may not be the entire story of the game, as the Vols fought back and took control despite the Gators getting the early start last year. However, given the massive psychological edge the Gators have in the Tennessee vs Florida series, the Vols and Butch Jones probably don’t want this to be a close game.

Tennessee has lost three of the past four games because of that psychological edge. The minute the Gators were threatening in the fourth quarter, the Vols panicked.

Knowing that, Tennessee wants to get an early start and keep their foot on the pedal all game. All Vol fans are hoping for a blowout similar to the Alabama game of 1995, when they unleashed years of frustration.

Now, that is a tall task, and given how talented both teams are, it’s an unlikely one. But Tennessee would at least like to be in control of the game.

No matter how mentally tough this team is, you have to wonder if they can handle adversity against the Gators.

They can avoid that by starting fast and not letting up.

To be fair, Butch Jones is pretty good about keeping his players encouraged and focused. And the Vols have won three of their past four games that went down to one possession after losing their first three last year.

However, you never know with Florida. Tennessee can never let up in this game, and that brings us to our final key in the Tennessee vs Florida match-up.

Sep 17, 2016; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones during the first quarter against the Ohio Bobcats at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

1. How aggressive are the Tennessee coaches?

Clay Travis called it coaching malpractice by Butch Jones. John Jancek was fired as defensive coordinator for it.

Last year, the Vols had the weakest play-calling down the stretch ever. After taking a two-score lead early in the fourth, they tried to run out the clock. So they let the Gators score a touchdown just by ensuring that they’d take a long time to do it.

Then, when Tennessee got the ball back, Jones called three safe plays to make Florida use it’s timeouts.

All of it seemed like it would work until Jancek made the idiotic decision to rush three and have two linebackers in spy on 4th and 14. All of a sudden, the Vols went from up 27-14 to down 28-27.

In this game, Butch Jones and his staff can’t coach the same way. They have to keep pushing ahead no matter what. You can’t try to run out the clock in a relatively close game in the fourth quarter!

Jones, to be fair, has shown his aggression and even showed it last year. After all, he called a fourth down jump pass in the 2015 Tennessee vs Florida game.

But he flat out blew it in the fourth in numerous ways. He has got to make sure that doesn’t happen this time. If Tennessee is in any decent position to win the game, go for the win.

He needs to try and bury the Gators at every turn. Now, this game is likely to be more of a defensive struggle than last year, so he can manage it a little more conservatively.

However, he can’t be timid managing it. That’s what happened in 2015.