- Sep 8, 2014
- 25,456
- 59,496
Pretty sure we roll into Knoxville 3-0....UT opens w/ a tough mid-major in Appalachian State, who went 11-2 last year and returns 9 starters off a defense that was ranked 13th nationally. They then play the Bristol game vs. Va Tech. They've got this one circled though.
Anyone here going? I'll be there (probably the only game I make this year):
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...Tennessee-could-be-toughest-in-years-45955871
Opponent Preview: Trip to Tennessee could be toughest in years
With less than three months until the season begins, GatorBait.net takes a look ahead and continues its schedule breakdown. Today, we look at the team's first road trip, to Tennessee, and what the Volunteers bring back on offense and defense, as well as what to expect in Florida's road opener.
Sept. 24 - Florida at Tennessee - Preview
2015 Record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
Returning Starters, Offense: 9
Returning Starters, Defense: 8
Key Losses: WR Von Pearson, OT Kyler Kerbyson, DT Owen Williams, S Brian Randolph, S LaDarrell McNeil
Key Returning Players: QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, DE Derek Barnett, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Cam Sutton
Top Passer: QB Joshua Dobbs -- 205-344 (59.6%), 2,291 yards, 15 TDs
Top Rusher: RB Jalen Hurd -- 277 carries, 1,288 yards, 12 TDs
Top Receiver: WR Josh Malone -- 31 catches, 405 yards, 2 TDs
Top Pass-Rusher: DE Derek Barnett -- 69 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss
Top Defensive Back: CB Cam Sutton -- 28 tackles, 1 INT, 6 PBUs
2015 Recap: The Volunteers clearly improved a year ago, but a season that could have been much more promising fell apart in the fourth quarter. After giving up fourth-quarter leads to Oklahoma and Florida early on, the Volunteers stumbled against Arkansas and Alabama before closing the year at 9-4 with six straight wins.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK: The Vols return just about everything on offense, needing to replace only one offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs is back after an up-and-down year, particularly as a passer.
Should Dobbs get more comfortable throwing the football, Tennessee would become extremely dangerous. Dobbs' running ability coupled with talented running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara already makes the Volunteers' offense tough to stop
With veterans on the line and plenty of promising prospects at the skill positions, Tennessee could be poised for a breakout year.
For Florida, it's going to be all about stopping the run first, something the Gators struggled with against Dobbs a year ago. Do that and force the game onto Dobbs' arm early in the year, and a tough game in Knoxville becomes a lot more manageable.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK: Like the offense, Tennessee's defense took a big step forward in 2015. Like the offense, the defense has a ton of parts returning. There's a reason the Vols are being picked to win the SEC East by most analysts.
It starts with stars at each level of the defense. Defensive end Derek Barnett is among the best pass-rushers in the SEC, having racked up 20 sacks in the last two seasons. He'll get a chance to do even more damage this fall with a new defensive scheme under coordinator Bob Shoop that will be aggressive on the blitz.
That could spell trouble for a Florida offense that still struggled with handling opposing pass-rushers this spring. Throw in equally talented linebacker Jalen Reeves-Mabyin and his counterpart Darren Kirkland Jr. and the Vols should be extremely solid in the front seven. There's veterans returning along the line, as well, though those three are the stars in the front.
The secondary also boasts a lot of talent, with All-SEC caliber cornerback Cam Sutton back for his senior year. He'll anchor a secondary that must replace two veteran safeties. Still, with Tennessee looking to pressure the passer more, the Vols should have some time for a young secondary to grow before the late September meeting with the Gators.
If Florida can't keep Barnett and the Tennessee pass rush at bay, this game spells trouble in Knoxville.
SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK: Tennessee's return units are as good as you'll find in the country, with Evan Berry the nation's top kick returner a year ago with a 38.3-yard average. Sutton returns punts and is equally as dangerous. The Volunteers also return their punter Trevor Daniel, who averaged 45.7 yards per boot. The only question mark is kicker, where starter Aaron Medley is back after going 21-31 on field goals a year ago.
WHAT TO EXPECT: If there's ever been a year for Tennessee to snap its 11-game skid against Florida on paper, it's this one. The Volunteers are more proven on offense by a landslide and could very well be on the way to becoming one of the nation's top overall teams in 2016.
The real question mark and X-factor is whether coach Butch Jones and his team can get over the mental hurdles that have seemed to plague the Volunteers so far under his tenure. Some very questionable coaching decisions in close games have caused the team to play tight and choke things away late. If that continues to be an issue, there's no reason to think Florida can't remain competitive and win again in Knoxville.
But there's no mistaking the fact that the Volunteers have far less question marks than the Gators heading into the season. There is loads of experience returning, the game is in Knoxville and Tennessee will be out for blood.
This one will be a very tall task for a young Florida team.
Anyone here going? I'll be there (probably the only game I make this year):
https://florida.247sports.com/Bolt/...Tennessee-could-be-toughest-in-years-45955871
Opponent Preview: Trip to Tennessee could be toughest in years
With less than three months until the season begins, GatorBait.net takes a look ahead and continues its schedule breakdown. Today, we look at the team's first road trip, to Tennessee, and what the Volunteers bring back on offense and defense, as well as what to expect in Florida's road opener.
Sept. 24 - Florida at Tennessee - Preview
2015 Record: 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
Returning Starters, Offense: 9
Returning Starters, Defense: 8
Key Losses: WR Von Pearson, OT Kyler Kerbyson, DT Owen Williams, S Brian Randolph, S LaDarrell McNeil
Key Returning Players: QB Joshua Dobbs, RB Jalen Hurd, DE Derek Barnett, LB Jalen Reeves-Maybin, CB Cam Sutton
Top Passer: QB Joshua Dobbs -- 205-344 (59.6%), 2,291 yards, 15 TDs
Top Rusher: RB Jalen Hurd -- 277 carries, 1,288 yards, 12 TDs
Top Receiver: WR Josh Malone -- 31 catches, 405 yards, 2 TDs
Top Pass-Rusher: DE Derek Barnett -- 69 tackles, 10.0 sacks, 12.5 tackles for loss
Top Defensive Back: CB Cam Sutton -- 28 tackles, 1 INT, 6 PBUs
2015 Recap: The Volunteers clearly improved a year ago, but a season that could have been much more promising fell apart in the fourth quarter. After giving up fourth-quarter leads to Oklahoma and Florida early on, the Volunteers stumbled against Arkansas and Alabama before closing the year at 9-4 with six straight wins.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK: The Vols return just about everything on offense, needing to replace only one offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs is back after an up-and-down year, particularly as a passer.
Should Dobbs get more comfortable throwing the football, Tennessee would become extremely dangerous. Dobbs' running ability coupled with talented running backs Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara already makes the Volunteers' offense tough to stop
With veterans on the line and plenty of promising prospects at the skill positions, Tennessee could be poised for a breakout year.
For Florida, it's going to be all about stopping the run first, something the Gators struggled with against Dobbs a year ago. Do that and force the game onto Dobbs' arm early in the year, and a tough game in Knoxville becomes a lot more manageable.
DEFENSIVE OUTLOOK: Like the offense, Tennessee's defense took a big step forward in 2015. Like the offense, the defense has a ton of parts returning. There's a reason the Vols are being picked to win the SEC East by most analysts.
It starts with stars at each level of the defense. Defensive end Derek Barnett is among the best pass-rushers in the SEC, having racked up 20 sacks in the last two seasons. He'll get a chance to do even more damage this fall with a new defensive scheme under coordinator Bob Shoop that will be aggressive on the blitz.
That could spell trouble for a Florida offense that still struggled with handling opposing pass-rushers this spring. Throw in equally talented linebacker Jalen Reeves-Mabyin and his counterpart Darren Kirkland Jr. and the Vols should be extremely solid in the front seven. There's veterans returning along the line, as well, though those three are the stars in the front.
The secondary also boasts a lot of talent, with All-SEC caliber cornerback Cam Sutton back for his senior year. He'll anchor a secondary that must replace two veteran safeties. Still, with Tennessee looking to pressure the passer more, the Vols should have some time for a young secondary to grow before the late September meeting with the Gators.
If Florida can't keep Barnett and the Tennessee pass rush at bay, this game spells trouble in Knoxville.
SPECIAL TEAMS OUTLOOK: Tennessee's return units are as good as you'll find in the country, with Evan Berry the nation's top kick returner a year ago with a 38.3-yard average. Sutton returns punts and is equally as dangerous. The Volunteers also return their punter Trevor Daniel, who averaged 45.7 yards per boot. The only question mark is kicker, where starter Aaron Medley is back after going 21-31 on field goals a year ago.
WHAT TO EXPECT: If there's ever been a year for Tennessee to snap its 11-game skid against Florida on paper, it's this one. The Volunteers are more proven on offense by a landslide and could very well be on the way to becoming one of the nation's top overall teams in 2016.
The real question mark and X-factor is whether coach Butch Jones and his team can get over the mental hurdles that have seemed to plague the Volunteers so far under his tenure. Some very questionable coaching decisions in close games have caused the team to play tight and choke things away late. If that continues to be an issue, there's no reason to think Florida can't remain competitive and win again in Knoxville.
But there's no mistaking the fact that the Volunteers have far less question marks than the Gators heading into the season. There is loads of experience returning, the game is in Knoxville and Tennessee will be out for blood.
This one will be a very tall task for a young Florida team.
