Published September 15, 2011 - 6:25am
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Year after year, the winner of the Florida-Tennessee game is usually whoever wins the rushing game. That has played out true, for the most part, over the course of their history, but could this year be different?
Florida’s Running Game Plan
Florida will try to establish the run because they are not exactly that potent with John Brantley in the passing game. While Brantley has been serviceable and much improved, I’m not sure Florida can win a shootout with Brantley at quarterback. So, Florida will try and pound the football.
Last week, Florida racked up 300 yards on the ground on 55 attempts, averaging 5.45 yards per carry. Florida will lean on running backs Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps, Trey Burton and Mike Gillislee, with Rainey and Demps probably getting the most touches. Florida will run a traditional I-formation, but they will also mix in the wildcat with Burton and Rainey in the backfield. This could be the red zone go-to formation if Florida cannot line up and run it right at Tennessee, as Florida struggled in the red zone last week.
Florida will run for two reasons: 1. To set up the pass 2. To keep Tennessee’s offense off the field. If Florida wants to win this game, the ground game will have to be dominant. Then, Weis can mix in play action and make it easier on Brantley in the passing game.
Tennessee’s Running Game Plan
While Tennessee has traditionally been a run-first program featuring a dominant running back, this Tennessee team looks to be different. I think Tennessee will come out in a pass-first mentality, to eventually set up the run through power plays and draws. The Vols will also call running back screens as a way to negate the Florida pressure.
Tennessee will feature Tauren Poole, Marlin Lane and Rajion Neal in the running game, but both Lane and Neal put the ball on the ground last week and both were lost fumbles. Look for Poole to be the primary back for Tennessee, and if he can run for 100 yards on the ground, Tennessee has a great shot.
Tennessee knows if they can jump on top first, Florida will have to play catch-up in the passing game, and they simply are not built for that – or they haven’t shown the ability thus far to play that type of game.
What Gives?
I have a feeling, after this game, the winner will have the better rushing stats, just like every year. Both teams are different in what they will try and do. In all likelihood, Florida will run to set up the pass, while Tennessee will pass to set up the run.
I simply cannot wait for this showdown.
This may be the year, that the running game doesn’t decide it. The team with the most balance will win.
The rushing game again will again say who is the winner. I do think Bray will have success against our secondary, but not as much as they’ve enjoyed. No way is UF’s defense as vanilla as they have been in the past two games. I think you’re going see some new sets from FL that people have seen before at UF. Now, if for some reason FL’s defense IS that vanilla, well we’re in some serious !@#$ and Coach Boom won’t be around for long. HOWEVER, I just don’t see that happening, not with Muschamp coaching the secondary and Quinn coaching the line. It’ll come down to who’s backs can get loose for more gains. If TN can run it up the gut and pound UF’s D then maybe they win. If Rainey and Demps can continually get loose on the flats, poof they’re gone and UF wins. Its a toss up but will be a good game regardless.
Batman your logic is pretty solid but I think UT will have the better rushing stats cause yall are going to expect Bray to throw the ball so much the early screens and draws will be there dont be suprised if the first play UT runs is a draw.
Defense is what will decide this ball game, and field position as well as time of posession. Which defense tires faster, which defense makes the stops, and which special teams flips the field. Running game is important but it will be other areas to make the difference this week.
What will decide this game is if Florida decides to blitz or sit back in coverage. Smart thing to do? Sit back in coverage! If you blitz Tyler Bray and leave Da’Rick Rogers and Justin Hunter one on one on the outside, its over. You have to pressure with 4 or maybe 5 and hope that works. Make the lackluster Tennessee run game (so far this year) and the inside slot receivers beat you. You can’t take chances and leave a young secondary out on an island like that. It wont be pretty. Go Vols!