Florida will be back in the Swamp for their first home SEC matchup. The Gators will be hosting one of their most hated rivals, the Tennessee Volunteers. Last season, the Florida Gators blew out the Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee. This will be Kyle Trask’s first start in his collegiate career. Trask led Florida to a comeback victory last Saturday as Franks dislocated his ankle. The Gators are 3-0 heading into the game and the Volunteers are 1-2 after picking up their first win of the season. The Florida Gators have fourteen out of their last fifteen matchups versus the Tennessee Volunteers. Here is the preview for the Florida Gators vs Tennessee Volunteers game.
Preview: Florida Gators vs Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers will be on the road for the first time in the 2019 season. Tennessee has had a rough start to the season with a 1-2 record with losses against Georgia State and BYU. The Volunteers got their first win of the season last Saturday against UT Chattanooga. Their offense will be led by their junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano. The New Jersey native has had a solid start to the season with a 65.8 completion percentage, 629 yards, seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Florida will be the toughest defense he has faced so far this season. Ty Chandler is the lead back for Tennessee with 42 carries, 248 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Tennessee’s top two receivers early this season have been Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway. Jennings had 12 catches for 208 yards and four touchdowns. Callaway has nine receptions for 127 yards and two touchdowns.
On defense, the Tennessee Volunteers will be looking to make life difficult for the Gators new starting quarterback. Safety Theo Jackson leads Tennessee in tackles with 18 tackles and one tackle for loss. LaTrell Bumphus and Aubrey Solomon are the top two defensive linemen on Tennessee’s roster. Bumphus leads the Volunteers in sacks with two and Solomon has ten tackles and a QB hurry. One of Tennessee’s key defensive players, Jeremy Banks, will be out for this game as he was arrest earlier in the week.
Florida Gators
The Florida Gators offense has a new face at quarterback and it’s redshirt-junior Kyle Trask. With Franks out for the season, Trask will be the team’s new starting quarterback as he’ll make his first start since high school. Trask played very well against Kentucky as he was able to move the ball down the field and get Florida the win. Trask will be surrounded with great talent at receiver with players like Van Jefferson and Josh Hammond. In order for Florida’s offense to run smoothly, the offensive line will be to open up some running lanes. Florida hasn’t been able to run the ball well this season even with a top SEC back in Lamical Perine. Florida will need to make Tennessee respect the ground game to take some pressure off Trask and open up the playbook.
The Florida Gators defense is coming into this game a little banged up but should have some top players back from the game. Linebacker David Reese led the Gators in tackles with 23 tackles on the year and half a sack. Jabari Zuniga and Jon Greenard are two players that should give Tennessee’s offensive line some issues. Florida’s defense leads the nation in sacks with 16 sacks through the first three games of the season. The Gators held Kentucky to only three points in the second half and also forced four turnovers in last week’s win.
Five Players to Watch: Tennessee Volunteers
- WR Jauan Johnson
- S Theo Jackson
- QB Jarrett Guarantano
- DT Aubrey Solomon
- WR Marquez Callaway
Five Players to Watch: Florida Gators
- DE Jon Greenard
- WR Van Jefferson
- S Shawn Davis
- TE Kyle Pitts
- CB Kaiir Elam
Five Predictions:
- Kyle Trask throws for over 225 yards and has two total touchdowns.
- Jarrett Guarantano for over 200 yards and a touchdown.
- Florida’s defense forces at least two turnovers.
- Tennessee holds Florida to under 100 rushing yards.
- Florida Gators beats Tennessee Volunteers 31-13.
Florida Gators vs Tennessee Volunteers Main Photo Credit:
