vols : 5 questions
Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:10 am
Volquest.com senior writer Chris Low sat down to answer five questions as Tennessee prepares to visit Florida at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Florida Field. Find out what Low said about Tennessee's strengths and weaknesses heading into the matchup.
1. How will Tennessee's secondary deal with Florida's receivers, even with Andre Caldwell out?
Low: Tennessee has given up big plays in each of thefirst two games, and the Vols will be shuffling their secondary again. Cornerback Antonio Gaines is out after injuring his knee last week, meaning freshman Eric Berry will go back to cornerback and Jarod Parrish will re-enter the lineup at strong safety.
The key for the Vols will be keeping everything in front of them, not giving up anything easy and forcing the Gators to go the length of the field.
2. Where did Tennessee look good and bad against California, since it was on the road, and Southern Mississippi?
Low: The Vols were especially poor on kick coverage against Cal and a little better in that area against Southern Miss. Their tackling against Cal was terrible and wasn't the best in the first half against Southern Miss. But they improved in the second half. Third-and-short on offense has also been a problem for the Vols in the first two games.
3. Have the receivers improved? Is Ainge growing more comfortable with them?
Low: The Vols have still not established that big-play threat, although Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor have played better than expected the first two weeks.
Erik Ainge is extremely confident in both of those guys. But to take the offense to the next level, the Vols need some of the newcomers at receiver - Kenny O'Neal, Denarius Moore, Brent Vinson and Gerald Jones - to make more of an impact.
4. Is Tennessee confident it can move the ball against Florida's young defense? Will they spread it out and exploit the young corners?
Low: Tennessee will try its best to establish the run. The Vols remember well what happened last year against Florida when they couldn't run it and lived in third-and-long. Being able to run it should open up things down the field, where they will take their shots.
5. Where do you see this game going? Florida's defense is inexperienced but its offense can really put up points.
Low: Maybe the first team to 38 points wins. Both teams will be able to move the ball. It probably comes down to who protects the ball and who wins in special teams, which means the edge has to go to the Gators. They're clearly better in special teams and are also playing at home -where they've never lost under Urban Meyer.
1. How will Tennessee's secondary deal with Florida's receivers, even with Andre Caldwell out?
Low: Tennessee has given up big plays in each of thefirst two games, and the Vols will be shuffling their secondary again. Cornerback Antonio Gaines is out after injuring his knee last week, meaning freshman Eric Berry will go back to cornerback and Jarod Parrish will re-enter the lineup at strong safety.
The key for the Vols will be keeping everything in front of them, not giving up anything easy and forcing the Gators to go the length of the field.
2. Where did Tennessee look good and bad against California, since it was on the road, and Southern Mississippi?
Low: The Vols were especially poor on kick coverage against Cal and a little better in that area against Southern Miss. Their tackling against Cal was terrible and wasn't the best in the first half against Southern Miss. But they improved in the second half. Third-and-short on offense has also been a problem for the Vols in the first two games.
3. Have the receivers improved? Is Ainge growing more comfortable with them?
Low: The Vols have still not established that big-play threat, although Austin Rogers and Lucas Taylor have played better than expected the first two weeks.
Erik Ainge is extremely confident in both of those guys. But to take the offense to the next level, the Vols need some of the newcomers at receiver - Kenny O'Neal, Denarius Moore, Brent Vinson and Gerald Jones - to make more of an impact.
4. Is Tennessee confident it can move the ball against Florida's young defense? Will they spread it out and exploit the young corners?
Low: Tennessee will try its best to establish the run. The Vols remember well what happened last year against Florida when they couldn't run it and lived in third-and-long. Being able to run it should open up things down the field, where they will take their shots.
5. Where do you see this game going? Florida's defense is inexperienced but its offense can really put up points.
Low: Maybe the first team to 38 points wins. Both teams will be able to move the ball. It probably comes down to who protects the ball and who wins in special teams, which means the edge has to go to the Gators. They're clearly better in special teams and are also playing at home -where they've never lost under Urban Meyer.