Florida Football: Five Gators Who Will Shine Against Tennessee
The Florida Gators have not looked pretty after two games, but they have two W's, and a win is a win.
What the Gators do have going for them is a stockpile of talent that could take over the game from any part of the field.
So far, that talent may not be resulting in the types of wins that we might have expected coming into the season, especially against the likes of Miami of Ohio and USF.
Now, the SEC schedule is here, and the season really begins. It is time for the players to truly make a name for themselves in the first step toward the goal of reaching Atlanta once again.
Up first is Tennessee and a nice road test for this Gators squad.
They will need some playmakers to step up and make some things happen to take home Florida's first road win of the season.
Here are five guys who will shine for the Gators against the Vols on Saturday.
5. Jeff Demps
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We will start with the most obvious name and work our way down the list.
There is no question that Demps will have to make big plays for the Gators to win this season, as has been the case after two weeks.
Although Chris Rainey didn't necessarily live up to expectations in his two appearances, his absence means more of the playmaking role will fall on Demps.
The Gators also showed a willingness to go to the run more in the second half against USF. If that trend continues, it may mean even more of an opportunity for Demps.
All it takes is a glimpse of freedom and he will be dashing for pay dirt. Expect him to continue his dynamic play in the Gators' first road game.
4. Janoris Jenkins
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You have to expect Jenkins to join Demps in the shine club this weekend. The pair have been the unquestionable best players for the Gators thus far.
If Tennessee's game last week was any indication, the Vols will start with a heavy dose of Tauren Poole running the ball, but their lack of depth and experience will cause them to fall behind.
Cue in the passing game and more of the Janoris show. If Matt Simms has to pass the ball a lot, expect Jenkins to come up with at least another pick.
Don't forget, Rainey's departure from the team means the punt return position is open. With Jenkins' 30-yard return after Rainey left with a concussion against USF, the position should be his for the foreseeable future.
After two weeks, Jenkins has played phenomenally and has the potential to surpass Joe Haden. It is still too early to give him that title yet, but he has shown that potential.
Tennessee may give Jenkins another outstanding performance.
3. Jaye Howard
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The focus for Florida this week will obviously be on stopping Tauren Poole and the Tennessee running game.
Last week, the Gators got their test against dual-threat QB B.J. Daniels. This time the test comes against a traditional running game.
LB Brandon Hicks has already said the Gators plan to kill the run this week.
The pressure will be on the middle of the line to control the point of attack to stop Poole from getting any room to work.
Something tells me that the coaches will find a ploy to motivate Howard and get him to go into beast mode again this week.
Teryl Austin called Howard lazy before his big day against Miami of Ohio. Howard took the insult personally and responded in a big way.
Doing it against Tennessee will prove even more to his coaches and himself.
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2. Mike Gillislee
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It's only a matter of time until the coaches finally give Gillislee a bigger share of the carries.
He has capitalized on every opportunity he has been given, and for the most part has looked more effective than Emmanuel Moody, in smaller doses, of course.
Heading into the first road game for a team with a lot of new faces from last season, the Gators might look to establish the run early and often to take the crowd out of the game, get the jitters out and keep Vols RB Tauren Poole off the field.
Moody will get his share of the workhorse carries, but Gillislee might steal a few of those carries this week and continue to build on a strong start to the season (8.4 yards per carry and a touchdown).
And, he already seems to have solidified the spot as the team's goal line back. In the SEC, you need to get those tough yards, especially when points are on the line. That should signal more work for Gillislee going forward.
1. Robert Clark
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With Chris Rainey out, many people will point to Andre Debose as the guy who will get his share of the offense and finally break out.
Debose may still do that, but Clark will be the surprise breakout player to take advantage of Rainey's load.
The freshman received a lot of praise in practice leading up to the season, and he showed a flash last week when he got a chance to do something with a 15-yard scamper.
The offense is in need of finding playmakers to make things happen, and Clark is as good a bet as any to do that.
He will have a few nice plays and an electric one or two, making him one of the bright spots on the offense against Tennessee.
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