GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: The Tennessee defense has held its own in the first three games, ranking third in the SEC and No. 14 in the nation in total defense — including No. 8 nationally on third downs. The Volunteers haven’t allowed a touchdown since Week 1 against West Virginia, a span covering eight quarters.
They’ll contend with a Florida offense led by Feleipe Franks, owner of 570 yards and nine touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback has spread the ball generously to Van Jefferson and Freddie Swain, who have snagged 232 of those yards and five touchdowns combined. But Franks and the Gators offense can be vulnerable, especially if Tennessee’s improving defensive front can amend a pass rush that ranks third-worst in the SEC with five sacks on the year.
“It’s always tough to get them off the field on third downs,” Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said of Dan Mullen-led offenses. “They’ve always been the team that runs the ball a lot on third downs. You have to be conscience of that. He will go for it on fourth down. Over the course of his career, they’re tough to keep to field goals in the red area.”
DRAFT SLANT
–MLB Daniel Bituli is as steady as they come in the middle of the Volunteers defense. The junior has 14 tackles in three games to give him 113 for his career. Tennessee’s switch from a 4-3 to a 3-4 scheme is paying off with additional playing time and his first career sack coming last week against UTEP.
ROSTER REPORT:
–SS Todd Kelly Jr. remains questionable for Saturday’s contest versus Florida. The redshirt senior who missed all but two games in 2016 to a knee injury, is nearing a return, Pruitt said, but no definite timetable has been set.
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