Earlier in the week I gave my 5 keys both offense and defense to a Vol victory at the Swamp. Now let me give my on second look opinion into tonight's game and what match-ups I believe will prove to be the deciding keys to victory or defeat.
1. Quarterback play...To win on the road in the SEC you have to have very good to great QB play. If Hooker starts he can not have more turnovers in this game and he will have to use his legs against a very good Florida front seven. He will have running lanes against Florida's sometimes over aggressive front and man coverage will provide those opportunities , 70 plus rushing yards could be huge in this game. In the throw game there will be opportunities in the middle of the field in that 12 to 20 yard range, Florida will bring pressure and drop their safeties deep to protect getting thrown over top on and open these windows. Hooker must be decisive and accurate!!!
2. Team Composure verses the crowd !!! Will these Vols come out calm, cool and collective or will they play tight and hyped up in a hostile road environment. If this team is composed, prepared and competes for 60 minutes they have a chance and it could be a sign we have a coaching staff that just might turn this program around.
3. Theo Jackson / OLBs verses the Florida speed option. Jackson has to be able to support the outside run plays and make open field tackles on the backs. He has to play with great outside leverage against this run game and be prepared to face pulling guards. The OLBs have to set the edge and hit the Florida QBs early and often, every hit takes a toll and speed option allow great opportunity to get free shots on QBs.
4. Taylor and Burrell verses Florida WRs. To be able to stack the box against Florida's running attack, Taylor and Burrell will have to play man coverage on an island and not give up big plays and if Jones throws a bad ball they have to catch and scream OSKIE!!!
5. Offensive Line against verses Florida's front seven....For the Vols to truly have any chance in this game, the line is going to have to be physical, nasty and smart ( CADE MAYS ) or it will be a very longgggg night. Florida starters are decent, but it seems they are not deep at the tackles. So, the up tempo and physical play could pay off in a close game in the 4th qtr. Cooper Mays is going to face the greatest challenge of his young football career, if he holds up and this line plays sound football it could steal a road win.
6. Running backs verses Florida's LBs in the pass game...This is an area I really hope coach Heupel exploits and if he does it could very well be a deciding factor in moving the chains and keeping our offense out of third and longs.
I'll close with my X-Factor, Jalin Hyatt verses Florida safeties, I for some reason believe Hyatt shows up big tonight in the slot and is an absolute mismatch in speed against Florida's safeties.
GBO!!!!!!
1. Quarterback play...To win on the road in the SEC you have to have very good to great QB play. If Hooker starts he can not have more turnovers in this game and he will have to use his legs against a very good Florida front seven. He will have running lanes against Florida's sometimes over aggressive front and man coverage will provide those opportunities , 70 plus rushing yards could be huge in this game. In the throw game there will be opportunities in the middle of the field in that 12 to 20 yard range, Florida will bring pressure and drop their safeties deep to protect getting thrown over top on and open these windows. Hooker must be decisive and accurate!!!
2. Team Composure verses the crowd !!! Will these Vols come out calm, cool and collective or will they play tight and hyped up in a hostile road environment. If this team is composed, prepared and competes for 60 minutes they have a chance and it could be a sign we have a coaching staff that just might turn this program around.
3. Theo Jackson / OLBs verses the Florida speed option. Jackson has to be able to support the outside run plays and make open field tackles on the backs. He has to play with great outside leverage against this run game and be prepared to face pulling guards. The OLBs have to set the edge and hit the Florida QBs early and often, every hit takes a toll and speed option allow great opportunity to get free shots on QBs.
4. Taylor and Burrell verses Florida WRs. To be able to stack the box against Florida's running attack, Taylor and Burrell will have to play man coverage on an island and not give up big plays and if Jones throws a bad ball they have to catch and scream OSKIE!!!
5. Offensive Line against verses Florida's front seven....For the Vols to truly have any chance in this game, the line is going to have to be physical, nasty and smart ( CADE MAYS ) or it will be a very longgggg night. Florida starters are decent, but it seems they are not deep at the tackles. So, the up tempo and physical play could pay off in a close game in the 4th qtr. Cooper Mays is going to face the greatest challenge of his young football career, if he holds up and this line plays sound football it could steal a road win.
6. Running backs verses Florida's LBs in the pass game...This is an area I really hope coach Heupel exploits and if he does it could very well be a deciding factor in moving the chains and keeping our offense out of third and longs.
I'll close with my X-Factor, Jalin Hyatt verses Florida safeties, I for some reason believe Hyatt shows up big tonight in the slot and is an absolute mismatch in speed against Florida's safeties.
GBO!!!!!!
