Tennessee at Florida Preview: 3 key matchups in SEC East showdown

Sep 19, 2015; Lexington, KY, USA; Florida Gators running back Kelvin Taylor (21) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Kentucky Wildcats in the first half at Commonwealth Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee at Florida is the biggest game of the week in the SEC East, as both teams strive to stay perfect in conference play. We explore the most important match-ups.

It’s been more than a decade since Tennessee last beat Florida on the gridiron. That means that few of the 18 to 22-year olds on either roster are likely to have clear memories of the Vols picking up a win over their SEC East rivals. What was once the premium rivalry in the division – with SEC title and national championship implications hanging in the balance despite the annual September date – has not only become completely one-sided, it has also fallen down the pecking order on both the national stage and within the conference.

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But, when the 2-1 Vols travel to Gainesville to face the undefeated Gators Saturday, the game will feature two teams headed in the right direction, and with both teams capable of making a splash on the national stage this season. Most importantly, both squads are aiming to stay undefeated in conference play, keeping their hopes alive for a division title.

This is the first true road game of the season for Tennessee, who opened the season against Bowling Green in Nashville before hosting Oklahoma and Western Carolina at Neyland Stadium, meaning this is going to be the toughest setting of the young season for a young Tennessee team.

Of course, saying the Vols are young is an understatement. Only 12 players on the roster travelled to The Swamp in 2013, 29 will be making their first road trip to play an SEC opponent, and only three seniors are expected to start, which is among the fewest in the nation.

That Tennessee youth and inexperience, as well as the hostile setting and Florida’s dominant defensive performance through the first three weeks of the season makes Florida a slight favorite heading into the game. But, as always, the outcome will be decided through match-ups, so let’s discuss the three most important to watch this week.

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