Is Tennessee Football in trouble? Florida heads to Knoxville just as they seem to have found their groove…and with the Vols reeling from a two-game winning streak. Billy Napier uses lots of players, so nobody really stands out when they are a threat, but here are the five UT absolutely has to key on if it’s going to win this game.
5. D.J. Lagway
Using two quarterbacks has worked for Napier in recent weeks, and D.J. Lagway is the more athletic one. Lagway has completed 38 of 55 passes for 667 yards and four touchdowns with three interceptions while rushing for 49 yards. He’s an effective runner but looks downfield more, so he could do to the Vols exactly what Taylen Green did.
4. Graham Mertz
While Lagway is more the downfield passer, Graham Mertz works the short passing attack to death when he’s in the game for Florida. Again, Tennessee Football is questionable at safety, and Arion Carter is young, so Mertz could cash in on them being out of position if they aren’t careful. His quick release could neutralize the Vols’ defensive line as well, so watch out.
3. George Gumbs Jr.
Tyreak Sapp should be on here given the fact that he has four tackles for a loss and two sacks while the Vols’ offensive tackles are horrible, but he doesn’t play enough. George Gumbs Jr. is the other player with four tackles for a loss and two sacks, and with Lance Heard’s and John Campbell Jr.’s slow feet, Gumbs could wreck them as an outside linebacker on blitzes. He’s the one defender to watch out for.
2. Elijah Badger
When Florida does move the ball through the air, Elijah Badger is their go-to guy. He’s got 17 catches for 346 yards and two touchdowns on the year. Badger could threaten the Tennessee Football secondary deep, which was an issue for Josh Heupel’s team last week, so they have to be careful in this matchup. If not, Florida can start to score a lot.
1. Montrell Johnson
Although the Vols’ rush defense is elite, the added dynamics of two quarterbacks and struggles in the secondary could lead to Florida running back Montrell Johnson being an issue. Johnson has 58 carries for 288 yards and four touchdowns on the year, and he could wear Tennessee Football down if the Vols have the same issue staying on the field offensively this week.
