Just what Tennessee Football needs, right? The Vols are set to welcome the program that has tortured them for three decades to town coming right off of a heartbreaking loss to the Arkansas Razorbacks. How can the Vols overcome their demons against the Florida Gators now? Well, if they are going to do that, these are the five players who have to step up.
5. Dylan Sampson
Florida is middle of the pack in yards allowed per carry at 3.94, No. 66 to be exact, but that’s partially because they are top 30 this year in sacks with 13. They are bad at stopping running backs, though, and they are No. 101 in rush yards allowed per game at 172.6, so UT needs its one consistent offensive weapon in Dylan Sampson to continue what he has been doing.
4. Andre Turrentine
The Gators run two quarterbacks now in Graham Mertz and D.J. Lagway, and they have been highly efficient the past two games in doing so, completing 26 of 28 passes against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and 23 of 28 passes against the UCF Knights. They also have five picks on the year, four to safeties. That all combined puts pressure on Andre Turrentine to make plays.
3. Miles Kitselman
Florida’s elite pass rush will require Tennessee Football to have a quick option, particularly with how bad their pass protection has been. That requires tight ends to have a big game. The Gators have struggled defending the tight ends all year, so Miles Kitselman, after having a bad game last week, needs to step up. UT also needs him to help blocking, so he’ll be key, especially with injured Vols receivers.
2. Arion Carter
With the Gators’ two quarterback set, a dual-threat in Lagway and an elite rushing offense, the pressure is going to be on the linebackers. Keenan Pili will obviously have to stay at home in containment, but Arion Carter is the playmaker. As a result, Carter needs to come through and make big plays in this game to shut down Florida’s resurgent offense.
1. Nico Iamaleava
Last week, concerns arose around Tennessee Football quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He’s back at home playing a much worse defense on Saturday, though, and it’s against Florida. Regardless of the team’s reputation, this is a big game for Rocky Top, so he’s got to show a much better clutch gene in big moments than he did last week.
