Tennessee Football: 10 Reasons Why Volunteers Will Blow out Gators
The Tennessee Volunteers are playing with a serious edge and have more talent now than they've had in several years. Compare that to a Florida team that is teetering on the precipice of collapse, and you see why I believe the Vols will blow the Gators out on Saturday, October 4.
The Vols have always seemed to get off to a slower start than the Gators, which made the third Saturday in September a particularly hard game to win. It's traditionally been the first SEC game of the season for each team, but this year, Tennessee has already played two top-12 opponents, including SEC East foe Georgia.
For the first time since 2001, the game is being played later than September. With a series record of 6-18 dating back to 1990, the Volunteers are surely open to any changes in the circumstance of the game, including one as simple as calendar date.
But there's something more this year with the team than just the date. A tenable level of confidence, talent and energy around the program has some thinking the Vols can end the nine-year drought. A few even say Tennessee can win with comfort.
I believe the Tennessee Volunteers will rout the Florida Gators 35-10 in front of 102,455 people on Saturday, and I've got 10 reasons why.
Neyland Stadium
1 of 10
With the newly invigorated Vol fanbase, Neyland Stadium is truly an advantage again. The crowd was nothing short of electric during the sold-out season opener against Utah State. This game is already sold out, and the opponent is much bigger and much more hated.
Fans are being rallied to help create a stadium checkerboard by wearing orange or white according to their seating location. If you're going, check out what color you're supposed to wear.
Translation: Neyland is going to be rocking.
Easiest Game in Four Weeks
2 of 10
Over the past month, Tennessee has played Oklahoma and Georgia. Both of those teams were ranked in the top 12 at kickoff. Both of those games were on the road.
The team has made the past two games look competitive, even winnable. While that's hardly anything to take to the bank, the improvement is undeniable. And the fact that such competitive play has been against two national powerhouses only strengthens the argument.
The Florida game will be the easiest game the Big Orange has played since Arkansas State on September 6.
With a record of 6-18 since the game became an annual bout in 1990, the fact that Tennessee got to see some tougher competition before the Gators this year is a good thing.
Vegas Hints
3 of 10
Florida opened as a one-point favorite against Tennessee on Sunday afternoon. Over the course of just 24 hours, heavy betting on the Volunteers' side has pushed the line so that it's Tennessee who is favored by 1.5 points according to Odds Shark.
There's this ridiculous belief that Vegas knows something the rest of us don't. The truth is bookmakers just analyze a ton of historical data to set lines, but from that moment on, the spread is completely controlled by bettors. Vegas moves the line if there are a lot of bets going on side of the line; the ideal situation is to have a perfect 50-50 split on the line, so the casinos can just take their guaranteed fee (vig) and let the bettors essentially pay one another.
All of this is to say that early in the week, it requires a significant amount of money for the line to be moved, and that's what has happened. The bookmakers were scared of predicting the end to a decade-long drought, but bettors have corrected them.
I expect the line to move even more in favor of the Big Orange as the week passes.
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Florida Isn't Good
4 of 10
Florida is just not that good. We're accustomed to a fast, cocky team that is led by an equally cocky (but competent) coach, but that's not reality. The Gators are 2-8 in their past 10 games, including 1-6 against the SEC.
Imagine the game from their perspective: After barely beating Kentucky at home, we had to travel to Alabama. Then, we have three straight ranked opponents after having to go up to Knoxville and play a Tennessee team that is extremely confident and frankly, fiercely hungry for victory. Sigh. #SECprobz
Florida's AD is even having to answer questions about how long Will Muschamp will coach the team. Florida, simply, is just not that good.
Return of Von Pearson
5 of 10
While Ethan Wolf was snagging seam route passes, Pig Howard was catching tough balls over the middle, and Marquez North was simply being the future first-rounder that he is, I actually forgot that Tennessee was missing Von Pearson against Georgia.
Pearson might have the best side-to-side juking skills of any Vol receiver this year. His ability to catch a simple screen pass and turn it into 30 yards is a huge asset that Tennessee will get to add back to its balance sheet this Saturday.
Furthermore, his return opens all the aforementioned receivers, plus wheel routes for the running backs and end-arounds for Josh Malone.
Florida may have a stud safety in Vernon Hargreaves III, but can he cover all of these receivers? No, he can't. He is not Eric Berry.
Third Down for What?!
6 of 10
Tennessee has played two national championship playoff contenders with potent offenses. Tennessee starts as many as five true freshmen and sophomores on defense. Tennessee also has the best third-down defense in the country.
Opponents have converted a paltry 20 percent of third-down attempts against the Volunteers this season. That figure is downright dominant. (Side note: Can you imagine what it's going to be like when Kahlil McKenzie and Shy Tuttle get to Knoxville?)
If you listed five of the most important keys to winning any football game, stopping the other guy on third down would absolutely be one of them.
Meanwhile, Florida is ranked No. 63 in the country in third conversion on offense, converting just 40 percent of their attempts.
Sheer Talent
7 of 10
It's been a long time since I've said this, but the Tennessee Vols might simply be more talented than the Florida Gators. If that's true, there's no greater advantage in sports.
Talent isn't a standalone quality. Momentum and confidence influence talent in an incredible way, and the Vols have plenty of those two things going for them, while Florida doesn't.
The Gators are always going to recruit and field a talented team. But is anyone going to run away from Jalen Reeves-Maybin in the backfield? Is there a wide receiver who wouldn't be shaken up after a hit by Todd Kelly Jr.? Is there a better combination of physical and mental ability than Jalen Hurd?
P.S. All three of these players are younger than 20.
Justin Worley
8 of 10
It's truly amazing what difference a year can make. Just 12 months ago, we were demanding Nathan Peterman start over a struggling Justin Worley before the Florida game, and we unfortunately got our wish.
Then we moved on to Riley Ferguson, but I won't go there.
Worley has improved as much as any quarterback in the SEC this year, maybe the country. More impressive than his arm, his accuracy and his running has been his leadership. You could see the entire team lift when he got back on the field against Georgia, leading the Vols on an easy touchdown drive.
Worley is completing 60 percent of his passes for 985 yards and nine touchdowns.
Florida's Jeff Driskel is competing 56 percent of his passes for 636 yards and five touchdowns. He's also last in the SEC in QB rating.
Battle Tested
9 of 10
The Gators had an awkward start to their season, cancelling their cupcake opener against Idaho. They then went on to demolish a bad Eastern Michigan team (who had trouble doing their own demolishing earlier this season).
Kentucky took Florida to three overtimes and probably should have won the game, while Alabama did what Alabama does—kick ass.
Meanwhile, Tennessee played a quality nonconference opponent in Utah State, who won nine games a year ago, including a bowl upset over 12-1 Northern Illinois. The Vols followed that up with a game against Arkansas State, who also won a bowl last year. Oklahoma and Georgia speak for themselves.
Tennessee knows who it is because it has already been tested. Florida is still trying to find an identity this season after a disastrous 2013.
Energy
10 of 10
The energy surrounding Tennessee's program is all positive. The energy surrounding Florida's is split between neutral and negative.
A yogi would have no problem picking the victor.
The Gators appear to be in a Derek Dooley-like holding pattern with regard to Will Muschamp's future. And no one knows better than the Vols how detrimental a lack of confidence in your coach's future can be.
On the other sideline, Butch Jones is without question the leader of the team and has the keys to Neyland. Old traditions have been honored. New ones have begun.
But no individual embodies the importance of energy better than senior linebacker A.J. Johnson. He looks truly happy and excited for the first time in his career. Every kickoff is a chance to make a play. Every big tackle is an opportunity to leave his mark on Tennessee.
The mojo factor is heavily in Tennessee's favor on Saturday. And the scoreboard will be, too. Enjoy the rout, Vols fans.
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