Sib18
I bleed orange!
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In case anyone was curious about matchups and stuff, here is Scouts Inc. game preview on ESPN.com.
Enjoy, even though you won't like the prediction.
Florida Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
Head coach Urban Meyer likes to open up running lanes for his backs and create mismatches in the passing game by spreading the field with multiple-receiver sets. His scheme is far different than the Air Force offense that Tennessee had some problems defending last week but it shares one similarity. Both schemes test the discipline of the opposing front seven. While Air Force uses the option to keep defensive fronts off balance, the Gators use misdirection, motion, multiple-receiver sets and delayed handoffs. It's an offense that places as much if not more of a premium on finesses as it does power. That doesn't bode well for Tennessee because its front seven is getting caught out of position far too much. The linebackers are overrunning plays and the defensive line is getting caught too far upfield. If they don't eliminate these mistakes and play with better gap discipline RB DeShawn Wynn and the Florida receivers will have plenty of room to operate.
No. 7 Florida at No. 13 Tennessee
vs. 
When: Sept. 16, 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Knoxville, Tenn.
Preview: Florida visits Tennessee in SEC East showdown
Besides creating running seams, the Gators' multiple-receiver sets will test the endurance of the Volunteers' defensive line. The reason is spreading the field forces the Volunteers' defensive linemen to pursue from sideline-to-sideline. That's not good news for Tennessee fans because the loss of DT Justin Harrell to a season-ending biceps injury weakens the defense and depth.
Leak faces his toughest challenge thus far but there is reason to believe he will be successful. The loss of DC Inky Johnson to a season-ending shoulder injury forces the Volunteers to move Jonathan Hefney from safety to corner and insert Demetrice Morley at free safety. Though Morley has the natural ability to develop into an excellent starter and Hefney has ample experience lining up at corner, the changes could result in communication breakdowns. In addition, Morley is relatively inexperienced and he will get caught out of position at times. Leak is an experienced quarterback that has the vertical weapons in WR's Andre Caldwell and Percy Harvin to take advantage when he sees the coverage breakdown. Finding them deep will open up the underneath routes for WR's Dallas Baker and Jemalle Cornelius.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis will try to protect his secondary by bringing pressure from different areas of the field and the versatility of SS Antwan Stewart will play a big role when Chavis blitzes. Stewart is a former corner and his ability to cover gives Chavis the ability to blitz his corners because Stewart can assume their cover responsibilities. In addition, look for Chavis to be more aggressive if and when true freshman Tim Tebow enters the game.
Tennessee Offense vs. Florida Defense
RB Arian Foster left last week's game with an ankle sprain and he is listed as questionable. If he can't go, Montario Hardesty is expected to start and the two backs are actually similar runners. Though they lack ideal speed, they are quick they have the lateral mobility to cut back and they run hard. However, there are differences and Foster will be missed if he can't play or is limited. First off, Hardesty isn't as experienced as Foster so it's unlikely he shows the same patience in allowing his blocks to develop. That could be a problem because Florida's linebackers have shown good gap discipline and they have the closing speed to get to Hardesty if he doesn't use his blockers. Secondly, the absence of Foster would obviously weaken depth effectively limiting Tennessee's ability to wear down the Gators' front seven and take pressure off QB Erik Ainge.
Regardless of which backs gets the ball, expect the Volunteers to run off tackle early and often. First off, DE Jarvis Moss is undersized and he will have problems holding his own working against the much bigger LOT Arron Sears. Secondly, ROT Eric Young will have a harder time driving DE Ray McDonald of the ball but he has enough of a size advantage to hold his own in that battle. More importantly, running at the defensive ends should slow them down and give Ainge a little more time to find the open receiver when he drops back to pass.
The good news for Tennessee fans is Ainge has excelled thus far and he is in a position to build on his early success. First off, the Volunteers' commitment to the running game will keep Florida off balance. Secondly, the Gators are having a hard time getting to the quarterback and they will be working against a Volunteer offensive line that has been sound in pass protection. However, it's critical that Tennessee not fall behind in this game. Ainge has shown great poise and he is making good adjustments but his receivers are adjusting to poorly thrown balls and producing after the catch. In other words, Ainge has been an excellent game manager that hasn't been forced to shoulder the bulk of the offensive load. If the Volunteers fall behind early and have to throw more than they pass in an effort to come back, Ainge will have to be more than just a game manager and that's a situation Tennessee needs to avoid.
Special Teams
Florida PK Chris Hetland has excellent range and he is fairly accurate from inside 40 yards but he has yet to attempt a field goal this year. That's reason for concern because more than 100,000 Volunteer fans will make it difficult for him to stay focused. P Eric Wilbur is well-rounded showing good range and the ability to pin opposing teams deep. Though PR Reggie Nelson has flashed big-play ability he is relatively inexperienced in this role and he has been somewhat inconsistent. KOR Brandon James is explosive and elusive. The problem is he too is raw. Tennessee PK James Wilhoit isn't going to connect on a lot of long-range field goal attempts but he is accurate and consistent when attempting field goals inside 40 yards. P Britton Colquitt is powerful enough to kick the Volunteers out of trouble when they get pinned deep and he has the touch to place punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. PR Jonathan Hefney can make defenders miss and KOR Lucas Taylor has the second gear to go the distance when he gets a seam. However, neither has been as productive as hoped thus far. In addition, Air Force recovered an onside kick last week and would have recovered another if it wasn't flagged for off sides.
Matchups
Florida QB Chris Leak vs. Tennessee SS Antwan Stewart
Tennessee RB Arian Foster vs. Florida MLB Brandon Siler
Tennessee WR Robert Meachem vs. Florida DC Reggie Lewis
Scouts' Edge
Expect Florida's experienced quarterback and superior depth at receiver to ultimately give it the win. Leak will exploit a secondary that had to shuffle players and insert a new starter because of a key injury by finding his possession receivers and backs underneath and his playmakers downfield. Though the noise level is somewhat of a concern, Leak has plenty of experience playing big games in hostile environments. Wynn will take advantage of the passing game spreading the field by turning his limited touches into quality production. That balance will allow the Gators to build a lead heading into the fourth quarter and falling behind will take the ball out of the hands of the Volunteers' backs hands. Though Ainge won't play poorly, Tennessee doesn't have the depth at receiver or the scheme to get into a shootout with Florida.
Prediction: Gators 28, Volunteers 20
Enjoy, even though you won't like the prediction.
Florida Offense vs. Tennessee Defense
Head coach Urban Meyer likes to open up running lanes for his backs and create mismatches in the passing game by spreading the field with multiple-receiver sets. His scheme is far different than the Air Force offense that Tennessee had some problems defending last week but it shares one similarity. Both schemes test the discipline of the opposing front seven. While Air Force uses the option to keep defensive fronts off balance, the Gators use misdirection, motion, multiple-receiver sets and delayed handoffs. It's an offense that places as much if not more of a premium on finesses as it does power. That doesn't bode well for Tennessee because its front seven is getting caught out of position far too much. The linebackers are overrunning plays and the defensive line is getting caught too far upfield. If they don't eliminate these mistakes and play with better gap discipline RB DeShawn Wynn and the Florida receivers will have plenty of room to operate.
No. 7 Florida at No. 13 Tennessee
vs. When: Sept. 16, 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Where: Knoxville, Tenn.
Preview: Florida visits Tennessee in SEC East showdown
Besides creating running seams, the Gators' multiple-receiver sets will test the endurance of the Volunteers' defensive line. The reason is spreading the field forces the Volunteers' defensive linemen to pursue from sideline-to-sideline. That's not good news for Tennessee fans because the loss of DT Justin Harrell to a season-ending biceps injury weakens the defense and depth.
Leak faces his toughest challenge thus far but there is reason to believe he will be successful. The loss of DC Inky Johnson to a season-ending shoulder injury forces the Volunteers to move Jonathan Hefney from safety to corner and insert Demetrice Morley at free safety. Though Morley has the natural ability to develop into an excellent starter and Hefney has ample experience lining up at corner, the changes could result in communication breakdowns. In addition, Morley is relatively inexperienced and he will get caught out of position at times. Leak is an experienced quarterback that has the vertical weapons in WR's Andre Caldwell and Percy Harvin to take advantage when he sees the coverage breakdown. Finding them deep will open up the underneath routes for WR's Dallas Baker and Jemalle Cornelius.
Defensive coordinator John Chavis will try to protect his secondary by bringing pressure from different areas of the field and the versatility of SS Antwan Stewart will play a big role when Chavis blitzes. Stewart is a former corner and his ability to cover gives Chavis the ability to blitz his corners because Stewart can assume their cover responsibilities. In addition, look for Chavis to be more aggressive if and when true freshman Tim Tebow enters the game.
Tennessee Offense vs. Florida Defense
RB Arian Foster left last week's game with an ankle sprain and he is listed as questionable. If he can't go, Montario Hardesty is expected to start and the two backs are actually similar runners. Though they lack ideal speed, they are quick they have the lateral mobility to cut back and they run hard. However, there are differences and Foster will be missed if he can't play or is limited. First off, Hardesty isn't as experienced as Foster so it's unlikely he shows the same patience in allowing his blocks to develop. That could be a problem because Florida's linebackers have shown good gap discipline and they have the closing speed to get to Hardesty if he doesn't use his blockers. Secondly, the absence of Foster would obviously weaken depth effectively limiting Tennessee's ability to wear down the Gators' front seven and take pressure off QB Erik Ainge.
Regardless of which backs gets the ball, expect the Volunteers to run off tackle early and often. First off, DE Jarvis Moss is undersized and he will have problems holding his own working against the much bigger LOT Arron Sears. Secondly, ROT Eric Young will have a harder time driving DE Ray McDonald of the ball but he has enough of a size advantage to hold his own in that battle. More importantly, running at the defensive ends should slow them down and give Ainge a little more time to find the open receiver when he drops back to pass.
The good news for Tennessee fans is Ainge has excelled thus far and he is in a position to build on his early success. First off, the Volunteers' commitment to the running game will keep Florida off balance. Secondly, the Gators are having a hard time getting to the quarterback and they will be working against a Volunteer offensive line that has been sound in pass protection. However, it's critical that Tennessee not fall behind in this game. Ainge has shown great poise and he is making good adjustments but his receivers are adjusting to poorly thrown balls and producing after the catch. In other words, Ainge has been an excellent game manager that hasn't been forced to shoulder the bulk of the offensive load. If the Volunteers fall behind early and have to throw more than they pass in an effort to come back, Ainge will have to be more than just a game manager and that's a situation Tennessee needs to avoid.
Special Teams
Florida PK Chris Hetland has excellent range and he is fairly accurate from inside 40 yards but he has yet to attempt a field goal this year. That's reason for concern because more than 100,000 Volunteer fans will make it difficult for him to stay focused. P Eric Wilbur is well-rounded showing good range and the ability to pin opposing teams deep. Though PR Reggie Nelson has flashed big-play ability he is relatively inexperienced in this role and he has been somewhat inconsistent. KOR Brandon James is explosive and elusive. The problem is he too is raw. Tennessee PK James Wilhoit isn't going to connect on a lot of long-range field goal attempts but he is accurate and consistent when attempting field goals inside 40 yards. P Britton Colquitt is powerful enough to kick the Volunteers out of trouble when they get pinned deep and he has the touch to place punts inside the opponent's 20-yard line. PR Jonathan Hefney can make defenders miss and KOR Lucas Taylor has the second gear to go the distance when he gets a seam. However, neither has been as productive as hoped thus far. In addition, Air Force recovered an onside kick last week and would have recovered another if it wasn't flagged for off sides.
Matchups
Florida QB Chris Leak vs. Tennessee SS Antwan Stewart
Tennessee RB Arian Foster vs. Florida MLB Brandon Siler
Tennessee WR Robert Meachem vs. Florida DC Reggie Lewis
Scouts' Edge
Expect Florida's experienced quarterback and superior depth at receiver to ultimately give it the win. Leak will exploit a secondary that had to shuffle players and insert a new starter because of a key injury by finding his possession receivers and backs underneath and his playmakers downfield. Though the noise level is somewhat of a concern, Leak has plenty of experience playing big games in hostile environments. Wynn will take advantage of the passing game spreading the field by turning his limited touches into quality production. That balance will allow the Gators to build a lead heading into the fourth quarter and falling behind will take the ball out of the hands of the Volunteers' backs hands. Though Ainge won't play poorly, Tennessee doesn't have the depth at receiver or the scheme to get into a shootout with Florida.
Prediction: Gators 28, Volunteers 20
