Tennessee at Florida Preview: 3 key matchups in SEC East showdown
Sep 5, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) works out prior to the game against the New Mexico State Aggies at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Receivers vs. Vernon Hargreaves III
Tennessee has one of the deepest and most talented groups of receivers in the SEC – perhaps in the entire nation. When healthy, Marquez North is one of the top wideouts in the conference, Pig Howard is a dynamic playmaker in the slot, Josh Malone and Von Pearson are a pair of physically imposing 6-foot-3 match-up problems that make life very difficult for defensive backs, and true freshman Preston Williams proved why he was such a highly coveted five-star recruit in the 2015 class with his 98 receiving yards and two touchdowns last week against Western Carolina.
Florida Gators
On the other side of the field, through the first three games of the season, Florida ranked No. 2 in the SEC and No. 11 in the country in total defense, having allowed 258.0 yards per game. Dating back to last season, the Gators have also had at least one interception in five straight games.
All-American cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is the player to watch for Florida, and he may just be the best defensive player in the nation. Hargreaves picked up his second interception of the season last week against Kentucky (in just his second game as the junior sat out against East Carolina due to an injury), and returned it 53 yards to set up a Florida touchdown – making Hargreaves the only player in the country this season to return two interceptions more than 40 yards.
Of course, Hargreaves isn’t the only talented defensive back on the Florida roster. Jalen Tabor and Brian Poole have each defended five passes this season (including a Tabor 39-yard pick-six against East Carolina), which puts them both among the nation’s top 20 players in the country in that category. Unfortunately, Tabor will miss Saturday’s game due to a suspension.
And, pass defense isn’t simply a product of defensive backs covering receivers. Florida has excelled this year because the Gators have done a great job pressuring quarterbacks, and have recorded 11 sacks through three games this season. Only five FBS teams have gotten to the quarterback more frequently.
Tennessee has put its offensive focus on the rushing attack so far this season, but for the Vols to score an upset Saturday in The Swamp, they will need a few big plays from the receiving corps. Doing so against Hargreaves and Co. will be a very difficult challenge.
Next: Prediction