<!---------------------INLINE TABLE (BEGIN)-------------------->Florida at Tennessee Matchups[TABLE][TR][/TR][TR][TD]QB[/TD][TD]RB[/TD][TD]WR[/TD][TD]OL[/TD][TD]DL[/TD][TD]LB[/TD][TD]DB[/TD][TD]ST[/TD][TD]Coach[/TD][TD]Overall[/TD][/TR][TR][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2633.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2633.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/2633.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD][img]http://espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/sml/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][/TR][/TABLE]<!---------------------INLINE TABLE (END)-------------------->
Florida offense vs. Tennessee defense
True, Florida is averaging 41.0 points per game, but that statistic ismisleading because of a 56-point outburst against an overmatched Hawaiisquad in the season opener. In fact, the Gators' offense scored justseven points in the first three quarters against Miami two weeks ago,and a ground game that currently ranks eighth in the SEC is reason forconcern. One of the biggest reasons for Florida's struggles on theground has been the inconsistent play of the offensive line, and theGators hope the return of LG Jim Tartt from a shoulder injury will givethe front five a boost. Coming off a bye week doesn't hurt Florida'schances of sparking the run game, either. RB/WR Percy Harvin,who has been limited by a heel injury, should be fresh, and theoffensive line has had an extra week to prepare for Tennessee'sdefensive front. In addition, the Volunteers had some problems containing mobile UAB QB Joe Webb last week, so there's reason to be optimistic about Gators QB Tim Tebow'sability to pick up yards with his feet. However, the Gators will stillhave their work cut out for them against the Volunteers' front seven.DT Demonte Bolden is strong enough to hold his own and quick enough todisrupt plays in the backfield. Behind him is MLB Ellix Wilson, who has19 tackles in two games, so RBs Kestahn Moore, Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moodyshould find tough sledding when they run between the tackles. Inaddition, WLB Rico McCoy is a second-year starter whose familiaritywith Florida's scheme and above-average range make him less likely toget caught out of position. As a result, Harvin should have a toughertime getting outside when the Gators run at McCoy.The Volunteers don't match up as well with theGators' passing attack, and the main reason is their lack of a passrush. Tennessee has recorded just two sacks thus far and Tebow hasshown he can pick defenses apart given enough time. Vols defensivecoordinator John Chavis could mask this weakness by blitzing, andFlorida's pass protection has been leaky at times. In addition, thenoise level at Neyland Stadium will make it difficult for Florida'soffense to communicate, which could lead to mistakes. However, Chaviscan't be too aggressive and can't expect his defensive backs toconsistently match up in man coverage. While CBs DeAngelo Willinghamand Dennis Rogan give the Volunteers a formidable starting tandem, theywill have their hands full working against a deep and versatile Floridareceiving corps. Harvin is extremely dangerous after the catch, Louis Murphy can make plays downfield and Riley Cooper is an efficient short-to-intermediate route runner. In addition, Tebow has two effective safety valves in TE Aaron Hernandez and RB/WR Brandon James.That said, Tebow must be willing to throw the ball away, scramble ortake the sack if the pressure gets to him. Tennessee has interceptedseven passes and SS Eric Berry, who has two picks, is a ball hawk.
Tennessee offense vs. Florida defense
<!---------------------IN LINE TABLE (BEGIN)-------------------->No. 4 Florida vs. Tennessee[TABLE][TR][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD][TABLE][TR][TD][img]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/med/trans/57.gif[/img][/TD][TD]vs.[/TD][TD][img]http://assets.espn.go.com/i/teamlogos/ncaa/med/trans/2633.gif[/img][/TD][/TR][/TABLE]
When: Sat., Sept. 13, 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Knoxville, Tenn.
Preview: Meyer owns Vols[/TD][/TR][/TABLE]<!---------------------IN LINE TABLE (END)-------------------->Tennessee's offense is predicated on establishing the run, and the roster clearly fits the scheme. RBs Arian Foster, Montario Hardesty and Lennon Creerare all talented backs, and rotating them allows the Volunteers to keepall three fresh. They run behind a physical offensive line that candrive defenders off the ball and wear opponents down over the course ofa game. Pounding the ball between the tackles won't be easy this week,though, as the strength of Florida's run defense is in the middle. NTLawrence Marsh and DT Terron Sanders are big enough to mix it up withTennessee's interior offensive linemen and to make it difficult forthem to get a body on MLB Brandon Spikes, who has the instincts andclosing speed to get to the ball carrier quickly when he doesn't haveto fight through a lot of traffic. In addition, the Gators' team speedon defense and the ability of DE Jermaine Cunningham to disrupt playsin the backfield will make it difficult for the Tennessee backs to turnthe corner. Keeping all of that in mind, the key for Foster, Hardestyand Creer is running north-south, lowering their shoulders andconsistently picking up as much the defense gives them. They don't haveto break long runs, but they do have to keep QB Jonathan Crompton out of situations with pass-heavy tendencies.Crompton's only start before this year came in2006. He played better against UAB last week than he did against UCLAin the season opener, but that's not really saying much. While hefinished last week's game with a much higher completion percentage andthrew his first two touchdown passes of the season, he also threw twointerceptions. Crompton has thrown three interceptions overall and mustdo a better job of protecting the football if Tennessee is going topull off the upset. If he gets more time to go through his progressionsand locate the open man, he will be more effective, but that's easiersaid than done against the Gators. Cunningham, who has 2.5 sacks,explodes off the ball and is fast enough to turn the corner againstVols OTs Chris Scott and Ramon Foster. Opposite Cunningham, DE CarlosDunlap has been impressive at times. Marsh can get good push up themiddle, as well, and unless Tennessee proves it can repel Florida'sfront four when Crompton drops back to pass, Gators defensivecoordinator Charlie Strong will be able to drop seven men into coveragewhen he sees fit. However, it's important that safeties Major Wrightand Ahmad Black stay home when Tennessee runs play-action and Cromptongets time to look downfield, because WR Lucas Tayloris a legitimate playmaker capable of running past Florida CBs WondyPierre-Louis and Joe Haden when they don't get help over the top.
<!---------------------IN LINE TABLE (BEGIN)-------------------->Key individual matchup[TABLE][TR][/TR][TR][TD][/TD][/TR][TR][TD]Tennessee RB Arian Foster vs. Florida MLB Brandon Spikes
Spikes is tied for the team lead in tackles despite missing the firstgame of the year with a foot injury, and he is an effective interiorstuffer. He locates the ball quickly and he has burst to beat blockersto the point of attack. The 245-pounder is a powerful tackler capableof stopping backs in their tracks. While the 215-pound Foster runshard, he lacks elite power and runs a little too high, making it easierto knock him to the ground than his size suggests. In addition, Fosterhas a tendency to try to bounce runs outside when seams are notavailable between the tackles, but he lacks top-end speed. Spikes moveswell laterally when scraping down the line of scrimmage and hassideline-to-sideline range, so he's more than capable of beating Fosterto the corner when Foster tries to bounce a run outside. Don't expectFoster to have much success when he releases out of the backfieldagainst Spikes on passing downs, either. Spikes shows good awareness incoverage and should be able to limit Foster's production after anycatches. [/TD][/TR][/TABLE]<!---------------------IN LINE TABLE (END)-------------------->
Special Teams
Florida PK Jonathan Phillipshas connected on his only field goal attempt thus far and has hit all11 of his point-after attempts, but he lacks ideal experience. Withthat in mind, it will be interesting to see how he performs in thehostile environment at Neyland Stadium. Three different players --Phillips, Caleb Sturgis and Greg Taussig-- have kicked off for the Gators this year. Sturgis has kicked themost and he's clearly been the most effective, averaging 63.6 yards perkick. Regardless of who kicks off for Florida, the Gators need tocontinue their excellent kick coverage because Tennessee kick returnersDennis Rogan, Lennon Creer and Gerald Jones are all capable of turning coverage breakdowns into big gains. Gators P Chas Henryhas been outstanding thus far, averaging 48.3 yards per punt andplacing four of his 11 punts inside the 20-yard line. Henry will kickto Rogan and/or Jones, so Florida must continue to cover punts well,too.Volunteers PK Daniel Lincolnhas missed three of his four field goal attempts thus far. It'simportant to note that two misses came from 50 yards or beyond, butit's just as important to mention that he also missed from 34 yards inovertime against UCLA. As a result, Tennessee lost that game by threepoints. Neither team should feel comfortable in their kickers'abilities to come through in clutch situations at this point.Volunteers P Chad Cunningham handles kickoffs, as well, and is averaging 64.2 yards per kick. He will kick off to Florida return man Brandon James,who should find tough going against a Tennessee kickoff coverage unitthat has performed well thus far. However, he returned a punt 74 yardsfor a touchdown against Hawaii in the season opener and took a puntback 83 yards for a touchdown when these two teams met last season.That's bad news for the Volunteers, because while Cunningham has placedthree of his eight punts inside the 20-yard line, Tennessee's puntcoverage has been pedestrian. Considering how accurate Cunningham hasbeen, the Volunteers may try to kick away from James.
Scouts' Edge
Tennessee's commitment to the ground game should help keep the scoreclose early, but look for Tebow to yet again put the Gators on his backand carry them to victory. Though the Volunteers have been stoutagainst the run, they clearly had problems corralling a mobilequarterback last week, and Tebow is more than capable of takingadvantage. He also should have enough time to read the defense andlocate the open man when he drops back to pass, which is importantbecause it will help neutralize the playmakers in Tennessee'ssecondary. As a result, Tebow & Co. will build an early lead thatforces the Volunteers to adopt a pass-heavy attack in order to attempta comeback, something that will take the crowd out of the game. OnceFlorida's defensive linemen start playing pass-first and run-seconddefense, look for them to pin their ears back and pressure Cromptoninto making some critical, drive-ending mistakes.
Prediction: Gators 35, Volunteers 20
