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

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 19, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) during the first quarter against the Western Carolina Catamounts at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction

Despite still having the dreaded “OR” next to his name on the depth chart, after earning the starting nod in the last two games it seems that redshirt freshman Will Grier has become the starting quarterback for the Florida Gators. When Treon Harris was suspended Wednesday, it probably cemented Grier’s spot atop the depth chart for the rest of the season.

Grier is the best option to lead the Gators on offense, but he has yet to prove capable of helping Florida move the football consistently against a quality defense. Tennessee’s pass defense has struggled at times this season, especially in Week 1 against Bowling Green when the Vols surrendered 433 passing yards, but unless Grier and the Florida receiving corps prove they can stretch the field, and the Florida offensive line protects the quarterback and opens up holes in the running game, the Vols defense will be in a good position Saturday.

That means the battle will be won or lost when Tennessee has the football. Florida has been great on defense, but they have yet to play an offense with the explosive weapons the Vols have at their disposal. Tennessee can run with Jalen Hurd and Alvin Kamara, who are one of the best running back combos in the SEC, as well as dual threat quarterback Joshua Dobbs – who has arguably the SEC’s best set of receivers to throw to, and is a very good decision-maker with the football in his hands.

Unless the Gators completely dominate the line of scrimmage to take away the Tennessee rushing attack and put extreme pressure on Dobbs in the pocket, expect the Vols to find ways to consistently move the chains and find the end zone. If the Tennessee offense is clicking, it’s doubtful the Gators will be able to keep up, and the long Tennessee losing streak will finally come to an end.

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