Five things to watch for Florida

[zjcvols]

1. Can UT continue to protect Tyler Bray against UF's vaunted pass defense?- UF has a nasty front seven; it's the strength of their team. UT has kept Bray's good looking orange jersey orange and no hint of green. Muschamp likes to blitz, but hasn't been with Florida in most situations. It'll be interesting to see if Muschamp dials up pressure from other places against Bray. If they can't, Bray will light Florida up.

2. Can Florida attack the weak spot of UT's defense effectively?- Florida has two talented TE's/H-backs in Jordan Reed and Trey Burton. UT's weakness has been middle of the field pass defense. This seems like a bad mismatch for UT. If Florida can find holes between the hashmarks for their TE's, it will open up the run game for Florida.

3. How will Florida guard Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson? Florida's weakness on D is their corners. They aren't that good, especially in man. If Florida wants to blitz, they have to go zone...and Bray has destroyed zones in his career when there's no pressure in his face. It will be interesting to see how UF wants to guard Patterson and Hunter. Will they force them outside, limit their ability to find space, but risk getting beat long? Or will they try and contain them inside, but risk getting pick apart in the middle? Florida is going to have a tough time finding an answer.

4. How much does UT have to run it, and how successful do they have to be?- Not a ton, but must get consistent yards. The strength of UT is the passing game. You never, ever go away from your strengths. But you have to find balance, or Florida will just drop seven and get pressure from their front line, who can pin their ears back and go. With the no huddle, UT should get 70 plays in since Florida is going to try and control the clock. As a UT fan, you hope for 30 runs, and 150 yards. That should be the goal.

5. How nervous should Vol fans be about the kicking game?- Very. This is going to be a very close, contested game. These teams are close to evenly matched. These kind of games are won by turnovers and by special teams. UT doesn't need 50 yard field goals and punts inside the five. But they need to hit everything inside 35 yards, and not give Florida good field position. Florida's kicking game is good, and has the advantage. UT cannot screw up in the kicking game.

And a bonus: Just something I find interesting. In past UT-UF games, it's always been "UT must control the clock and limit UF's chances on offense." The script has flipped. UF has to run the ball well or they are doomed, while UT runs the dangerous, open no huddle offense. Just something I found interesting and how program philosophies have changed over the years.

 

[Aesius]

I expect CP to have a huge day. I think the coaches have purposefully reigned him in and that we've barely seen what he can do.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

I expect CP to have a huge day. I think the coaches have purposefully reigned him in and that we've barely seen what he can do.

Maybe why they featured JH so much. Man I hope we blast Florida.

 

[utman47]

I expect CP to have a huge day. I think the coaches have purposefully reigned him in and that we've barely seen what he can do.

Yeah they reigned him in by bombing it to him on opening day and then letting him turn a 70 yard reverse...

We know what Patterson can do and so does Florida. Even so, I think Florida will have a hard time containing both him and Hunter.

 

[DERELICK_MY_VOLS]

Great sports journalism.

 

[Orange Blazer]

1. Can UT continue to protect Tyler Bray against UF's vaunted pass defense?- UF has a nasty front seven; it's the strength of their team. UT has kept Bray's good looking orange jersey orange and no hint of green. Muschamp likes to blitz, but hasn't been with Florida in most situations. It'll be interesting to see if Muschamp dials up pressure from other places against Bray. If they can't, Bray will light Florida up.

2. Can Florida attack the weak spot of UT's defense effectively?- Florida has two talented TE's/H-backs in Jordan Reed and Trey Burton. UT's weakness has been middle of the field pass defense. This seems like a bad mismatch for UT. If Florida can find holes between the hashmarks for their TE's, it will open up the run game for Florida.

3. How will Florida guard Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson? Florida's weakness on D is their corners. They aren't that good, especially in man. If Florida wants to blitz, they have to go zone...and Bray has destroyed zones in his career when there's no pressure in his face. It will be interesting to see how UF wants to guard Patterson and Hunter. Will they force them outside, limit their ability to find space, but risk getting beat long? Or will they try and contain them inside, but risk getting pick apart in the middle? Florida is going to have a tough time finding an answer.

4. How much does UT have to run it, and how successful do they have to be?- Not a ton, but must get consistent yards. The strength of UT is the passing game. You never, ever go away from your strengths. But you have to find balance, or Florida will just drop seven and get pressure from their front line, who can pin their ears back and go. With the no huddle, UT should get 70 plays in since Florida is going to try and control the clock. As a UT fan, you hope for 30 runs, and 150 yards. That should be the goal.

5. How nervous should Vol fans be about the kicking game?- Very. This is going to be a very close, contested game. These teams are close to evenly matched. These kind of games are won by turnovers and by special teams. UT doesn't need 50 yard field goals and punts inside the five. But they need to hit everything inside 35 yards, and not give Florida good field position. Florida's kicking game is good, and has the advantage. UT cannot screw up in the kicking game.

And a bonus: Just something I find interesting. In past UT-UF games, it's always been "UT must control the clock and limit UF's chances on offense." The script has flipped. UF has to run the ball well or they are doomed, while UT runs the dangerous, open no huddle offense. Just something I found interesting and how program philosophies have changed over the years.

Isn't there a blog section for this stuff?

 

[Jake]

1. Can UT continue to protect Tyler Bray against UF's vaunted pass defense?- UF has a nasty front seven; it's the strength of their team. UT has kept Bray's good looking orange jersey orange and no hint of green. Muschamp likes to blitz, but hasn't been with Florida in most situations. It'll be interesting to see if Muschamp dials up pressure from other places against Bray. If they can't, Bray will light Florida up.

2. Can Florida attack the weak spot of UT's defense effectively?- Florida has two talented TE's/H-backs in Jordan Reed and Trey Burton. UT's weakness has been middle of the field pass defense. This seems like a bad mismatch for UT. If Florida can find holes between the hashmarks for their TE's, it will open up the run game for Florida.

3. How will Florida guard Justin Hunter and Cordarelle Patterson? Florida's weakness on D is their corners. They aren't that good, especially in man. If Florida wants to blitz, they have to go zone...and Bray has destroyed zones in his career when there's no pressure in his face. It will be interesting to see how UF wants to guard Patterson and Hunter. Will they force them outside, limit their ability to find space, but risk getting beat long? Or will they try and contain them inside, but risk getting pick apart in the middle? Florida is going to have a tough time finding an answer.

4. How much does UT have to run it, and how successful do they have to be?- Not a ton, but must get consistent yards. The strength of UT is the passing game. You never, ever go away from your strengths. But you have to find balance, or Florida will just drop seven and get pressure from their front line, who can pin their ears back and go. With the no huddle, UT should get 70 plays in since Florida is going to try and control the clock. As a UT fan, you hope for 30 runs, and 150 yards. That should be the goal.

5. How nervous should Vol fans be about the kicking game?- Very. This is going to be a very close, contested game. These teams are close to evenly matched. These kind of games are won by turnovers and by special teams. UT doesn't need 50 yard field goals and punts inside the five. But they need to hit everything inside 35 yards, and not give Florida good field position. Florida's kicking game is good, and has the advantage. UT cannot screw up in the kicking game.

And a bonus: Just something I find interesting. In past UT-UF games, it's always been "UT must control the clock and limit UF's chances on offense." The script has flipped. UF has to run the ball well or they are doomed, while UT runs the dangerous, open no huddle offense. Just something I found interesting and how program philosophies have changed over the years.

Although your points are obvious, they are profound and spot on!!

Our offensive line pass protection becomes the key to the game...in conjunction to your bonus point.

 

[marmoteer]

Florida's coaches haven't given Driskel the green light to throw across the middle very much. It's mostly been one read - typically to a receiver in the flat - then tuck and run. If UF's gameplan is to make a living throwing down the middle, I think we force Driskel into several mistakes.

 

[bamacheats]

1. Jorts
2. Wife-beaters
3. Mullets
4. Skanks
5. Leather skin adorned with poor quality faded tats.

 

[knoxville's finest]

Worst case...

Tennessee gets the ball first and misses a fg on the opening drive.

Tennessee has less than 100 yards rushing.

Tennessee lets gillislee get to the corner on rushing plays.

 

[T_man_J]

1 Yes
2 Yes
3. Cover 2 with underneath zone
4. 70/30 - Pass/Run
5. Real Nervous
6. Not True. Florida can beat us with the passing game if Driskel is allowed to set up and read the field.

 

[knoxville's finest]

florida is gonna blitz and grab our receivers all day long. On offensive the gators will try to get gillislee going mainly to the outside.

 

[zidanefan]

Making sure we don't lose contain is big, too. Glennon broke a run on us because of that. Driskel may not be Vick, but he will gain a lot of yards if we let him.

 

[zjcvols]

Isn't there a blog section for this stuff?

The reason I don't post actual blogs is because sometimes it takes a couple days for Freak to post this, and I felt bad about bothering him. He's a busy guy. Also, it's easier for people to comment on thread than in the blog section and my favorite part about writing something like this is to have discussions with people about what I wrote (unless it's mean spirited, then it just hurts my feelings

 

[zjcvols]

Florida's coaches haven't given Driskel the green light to throw across the middle very much. It's mostly been one read - typically to a receiver in the flat - then tuck and run. If UF's gameplan is to make a living throwing down the middle, I think we force Driskel into several mistakes.

That's my biggest hope going into this game (other than Bray). It's that Driskel is going to be face hell. Sal is going to live and die by the blitz in this game.

 

[UTGhostHunter]

1. That vaunted front seven has accounted for the same number of sacks as the Vols. Additionally, I've seen several boneheaded plays from that front seven. I'm not saying that they can't play, but I'm not sure that they are as good has the build up has been. I also believe they have been hesitant to unleash due to concerns at Buck with Lerentee McCray.

2. While I'm inclined to agree that this is a weakness, I'm hopeful that we will unleash our full potential and utilize the full linebacking corps in this one.

3. Florida won't find an answer. While I don't doubt that Muschamp is a great defensive mind, he isn't a magician. He simply can't turn around the corners in time, and his inclination toward aggressive play with the safeties will leave the corners on an island frequently.

4. I've been pleasantly surprised with our running. After two weeks, we have the third most rushing yards in the conference. I expect that we will attack a little, but Florida's running defense is going to be stingy. If we can get close to 150, we've had a very good day.

5. Statistically, Florida is better, but it hasn't been by a wide margin this season. Historically, Florida kills us in this category, but Florida has been horrible on kickoff returns and mediocre on punt returns. We are second in the conference in kickoff returns and on par with Florida on punt returns. As for kicking, we are comparable on kickoff yardage and touchback percentage, and we have had more kickoffs, leading to more opportunities for mistakes. On field goals, we're hitting 75% and they've hit 80%, and there is only a three yard differential in the punting yardage. The only significant variation appears to be the performance on PATs, where we have struggled some.

All in all, there are enough advantages for Tennessee that they should win. There is always a chance that the better team could lose (Arkansas loss to ULM), but I'm convinced the Vols have enough advantages to roll to victory.

 

[GreatWhiteNorth]

Isn't there a blog section for this stuff?

.

 

[zjcvols]

Making sure we don't lose contain is big, too. Glennon broke a run on us because of that. Driskel may not be Vick, but he will gain a lot of yards if we let him.

I should have mention this and great point.

Driskel is athletic. I actually believe he was listed as a DTQB if I'm not mistaken (and I could be). But he can tuck it run. Hell, Ga. State had a couple nice QB gains. Sunseri must make sure when they blitz him, UT don't lose contain in their lanes.

 

[zidanefan]

That's my biggest hope going into this game (other than Bray). It's that Driskel is going to be face hell. Sal is going to live and die by the blitz in this game.

Amen... if Sentimore and Smith can drop Driskel early a few times, he could be very shaky all day.

 

[UTGhostHunter]

I should have mention this and great point.

Driskel is athletic. I actually believe he was listed as a DTQB if I'm not mistaken (and I could be). But he can tuck it run. Hell, Ga. State had a couple nice QB gains. Sunseri must make sure when they blitz him, UT don't lose contain in their lanes.

He was regarded as a dual threat, and many people thought he had Tebow potential (if he'd played in Meyer's offense).

 

[zjcvols]

Florida's coaches haven't given Driskel the green light to throw across the middle very much. It's mostly been one read - typically to a receiver in the flat - then tuck and run. If UF's gameplan is to make a living throwing down the middle, I think we force Driskel into several mistakes.

From what I've seen, they won't throw deep. That's really good for UT, because now you can play man on the outside, and bring the safeties in to help defend the middle. If you watch the NC State game, UT was trying to blitz and still playing two deep safeties a decent portion of the time. That's hard to do. Against UF, I don't believe we'll need two deep 15 yards back.

 

[NCVol1025]

I expect CP to have a huge day. I think the coaches have purposefully reigned him in and that we've barely seen what he can do.

I hope your right but he hasn't been held back. Maybe he knows a few more plays which might help but there is a ton of film on CP. I also hope we don't try the reverse because they've had 3 years to plan for it and florida is quick.

 

[zidanefan]

I should have mention this and great point.

Driskel is athletic. I actually believe he was listed as a DTQB if I'm not mistaken (and I could be). But he can tuck it run. Hell, Ga. State had a couple nice QB gains. Sunseri must make sure when they blitz him, UT don't lose contain in their lanes.

He was a DTQB. I should've mentioned GA ST. I just meant that if Glennon can run on us, it doesn't bode well.

 

[DjCrenshaw]

Another thing to consider, how many players do we get back from injury?

 

[T_man_J]

Florida's coaches haven't given Driskel the green light to throw across the middle very much. It's mostly been one read - typically to a receiver in the flat - then tuck and run. If UF's gameplan is to make a living throwing down the middle, I think we force Driskel into several mistakes.

In the Texas A&M game, Driskel hit some very small windows in the seams (over the middle).
The only weakness that I've seen is when he is forced to move out of the pocket (he does not look downfield).
Florida makes up for this weakness by using a delayed screen (with the running back). So, even if we bring pressure, we will have to scheme to contain Driskel (running or the screen).