5 keys to victory - tennessee edition
Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 9:55 am
Fifth-ranked Florida hosts No. 22 Tennessee at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Florida Field. Here are five keys to victory for the Gators as they head into the SEC opener for both teams:
Playmakers must step up: Fifth-year senior wide receiver Andre Caldwell is out with a sprained knee but the Gators have plenty of players who can make a big dent in Tennessee's defense. Now, those players have to accept their added responsibilities and fill in for Caldwell.
Riley Cooper, who had four catches for a game-high 122 yards and two touchdowns in the 49-3 win over Western Kentucky, and Jarred Fayson will have to deliver. Fayson caught a touchdown pass in the 59-31 win against Troy.
Cornelius Ingram had seven receptions for 105 yards and one score last week. His production will also be needed. Sophomore Percy Harvin could have a big game. Louis Murphy said after the Troy game the Gators had not shown all the tricks in the bag. Might be time to pull a few out against the Volunteers.
Don't get caught up in the hype: It's the SEC opener and the game is on national television. It's almost impossible not to get caught up in some of the hype, but Florida's young team has to worry about playing football.
The crowd will be louder and the Florida-Tennessee rivalry always has extra meaning. The week building up to the Tennessee game always bring an extra buzz to Gainesville.
Florida's offense should be fine. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow makes his first SEC start but he has been solid, albeit against weak competition, in the first two weeks. The Gators will be tested by quarterback Erik Ainge and Tennessee's offense. It will be an early gauge for Florida's defense.
Make Tennessee earn every yard: Tennessee led 17-16 at halftime last week against Southern Mississippi but then running back Arian Foster scored twice in the second half and Daniel Lincoln kicked two field goals to propel the Volunteers to a 39-19 win.
Florida's front seven has to contain Foster and Tennessee's viable running attack that averaged 4.9 yards per rush last week.
The defensive linemen need a better push. Defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Jermaine Cunningham should be fine coming off the edge. Florida's young secondary will get its biggest test so far this season. The good news is sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson is expected to play.
Don't get nervous if Vols score points: There's no reason to worry if Tennessee gets it in the end zone. Ainge is a quality quarterback and the Vols put up 31 points in a 14-point season-opening loss
at California two weeks ago.
Florida's offense should be able to move the ball, too. The Gators scored 49 first-half points last week. Don't expect to see both teams moving up and down the field with ease. The defenses are not that porous, but there should be scoring and both teams have enough playmakers to get it done.
Again, inexperienced players must step up: It's unfair to label Tebow inexperienced, but he is starting his first conference game and it's against Tennessee. With Caldwell out, Florida's receiving corps must step up. Right guard Maurkice Pouncey is in for his toughest test yet. Then there's the defense which welcomed nine new starters at the beginning of the season.
Get some stops, get some confidence and Florida should be fine. Let Tennessee stay close and the Volunteers have what it takes to win. Florida has enough talent on both sides of the ball to be victorious. Unless there are major letdowns, it should happen.
Playmakers must step up: Fifth-year senior wide receiver Andre Caldwell is out with a sprained knee but the Gators have plenty of players who can make a big dent in Tennessee's defense. Now, those players have to accept their added responsibilities and fill in for Caldwell.
Riley Cooper, who had four catches for a game-high 122 yards and two touchdowns in the 49-3 win over Western Kentucky, and Jarred Fayson will have to deliver. Fayson caught a touchdown pass in the 59-31 win against Troy.
Cornelius Ingram had seven receptions for 105 yards and one score last week. His production will also be needed. Sophomore Percy Harvin could have a big game. Louis Murphy said after the Troy game the Gators had not shown all the tricks in the bag. Might be time to pull a few out against the Volunteers.
Don't get caught up in the hype: It's the SEC opener and the game is on national television. It's almost impossible not to get caught up in some of the hype, but Florida's young team has to worry about playing football.
The crowd will be louder and the Florida-Tennessee rivalry always has extra meaning. The week building up to the Tennessee game always bring an extra buzz to Gainesville.
Florida's offense should be fine. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow makes his first SEC start but he has been solid, albeit against weak competition, in the first two weeks. The Gators will be tested by quarterback Erik Ainge and Tennessee's offense. It will be an early gauge for Florida's defense.
Make Tennessee earn every yard: Tennessee led 17-16 at halftime last week against Southern Mississippi but then running back Arian Foster scored twice in the second half and Daniel Lincoln kicked two field goals to propel the Volunteers to a 39-19 win.
Florida's front seven has to contain Foster and Tennessee's viable running attack that averaged 4.9 yards per rush last week.
The defensive linemen need a better push. Defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Jermaine Cunningham should be fine coming off the edge. Florida's young secondary will get its biggest test so far this season. The good news is sophomore cornerback Markihe Anderson is expected to play.
Don't get nervous if Vols score points: There's no reason to worry if Tennessee gets it in the end zone. Ainge is a quality quarterback and the Vols put up 31 points in a 14-point season-opening loss
at California two weeks ago.
Florida's offense should be able to move the ball, too. The Gators scored 49 first-half points last week. Don't expect to see both teams moving up and down the field with ease. The defenses are not that porous, but there should be scoring and both teams have enough playmakers to get it done.
Again, inexperienced players must step up: It's unfair to label Tebow inexperienced, but he is starting his first conference game and it's against Tennessee. With Caldwell out, Florida's receiving corps must step up. Right guard Maurkice Pouncey is in for his toughest test yet. Then there's the defense which welcomed nine new starters at the beginning of the season.
Get some stops, get some confidence and Florida should be fine. Let Tennessee stay close and the Volunteers have what it takes to win. Florida has enough talent on both sides of the ball to be victorious. Unless there are major letdowns, it should happen.