Let’s all be brutally honest. We’re all thinking about Florida. How could you not?

Tennessee is set to play Akron on Saturday and that’s all great and good. However, the Zips have zero chance of winning and the Vols have a very realistic chance of beating Florida next week. So how can you not think about the Gators?

Josh Heupel took a hard stance when asked a pretty innocent question on Thursday. Did he have any thoughts about the fact that the Florida game was a sell out even though Akron was looming?

“No,” Heupel said flatly.

That was it. Next question.

Fortunately, Heupel wasn’t as tight-lipped earlier in the week when he was asked about overlooking an opponent.

“Fans get to do whatever they want to, right?” Heupel said. “I mean, they get a chance on Saturdays to enjoy the football game, and in some ways they’re prognosticators that get a chance to enjoy the build-up to everything,

“When you’re a competitor, man, you’ve got to be really consistent in your habits, and that’s something that we talk about with our football team — how you don’t have to do anything other than look back at the scoreboard from last week in college football to understand that this game doesn’t care who you are, where you’re ranked and what conference you’re in. You better prepare the right way and be consistent in that to go play your best football on Saturday.”

Heupel didn’t specify, but he could easily have been referring to Texas A&M since the Aggies were upset by Appalachian State last week. He could also have been referencing Notre Dame, which was upset by Marshall. Upsets happen. Coaches always have to be on alert. I don’t.

The Florida game may still be a week away, but I’m thinking ahead. The Vols sputtered on offense last week against Pittsburgh, which is cause for concern. The Vols can play the Akron game in one of two ways. First, Tennessee can keep things hidden that have not been on display before. However, there’s another route that the Vols could also take. Tennessee could show most everything in its playbook and force Florida to prepare for more than the Vols actually intend to run. Personally, I’d go with the latter, but both have merit.

The one thing that would be most important if I were the coach, and I’m not, is to find out what players can be trusted in a game situation that haven’t proven themselves previously.

Here are five players I’d like to see against Akron.

QB Tayven Jackson

I don’t want to pile on Joe Milton III. However, I’ve seen enough of his rocket arm and athleticism. I also can’t get that out of bounds play against Ole Miss out of my mind. The fact that Milton struggles with his accuracy is yet another reason why I think that’s a known commodity – and not a good one. Therefore, I’d like to see Jackson get some real snaps. The Vols might need the freshman if something happens to Hooker. Jackson was highly rated in high school and participated in spring practice. Some game-time action would give the Vols a better idea of what he can do if he’s forced to play.

LB Juwan Mitchell

No one seems to know why Mitchell is being held out of games this season. He could be injured. It could be an off-the-field issue. Tennessee has kept it pretty hush-hush. Nevertheless, Mitchell would provide a boost to a linebacker corp that hasn’t been very inspiring so far this season. Tennessee’s linebackers have struggled in pass defense. Could Mitchell provide a boost? Only if he’s able to play.

RB Dylan Sampson

The Vols are going to need a third tailback eventually, whether that’s because of injury or just simple, ole fatigue. Sampson has some speed and shiftiness that Tennessee’s other tailbacks don’t. Sampson may also be a better option if Jaylen Wright can’t hold onto the ball. He’s had two fumbles in two games.

WR Squirrel White

The man with the best nickname on the team has disappeared since the beginning of preseason camp, in which he was trotted out in front of the media to talk about his nickname, football and whatever came to mind. Since then, there has been little mention of White. He’s a versatile player that could spook defenses. He has to see the field before he can do that.

RB Justin Williams-Thomas

Like White, Williams-Thomas was a big part of the conversation revolving around preseason camp. Now, he’s gone completely MIA. Williams-Thomas probably has more physical ability than any running back on Tennessee’s roster. However, he’s apparently not ready. Perhaps the game is too fast or he’s not good in pass protection, but I’d like to see him play in a game before coaches start considering him a redshirt candidate.

So…

The Vols have a great chance to take a look at some unproven, talented players before their schedule ramps up. Akron is just bad so there’s no concern that the Vols might be upset. Who will get a chance? We’ll find out on Saturday.

Who would you like to see shine on Saturday? Comment below.