The bye week for the Gators is officially in the rearview mirror and it couldn’t have come at a better time for the Gators’ defense.

Coming off a poor performance against Alabama, the defense needed a chance to regroup. It was a unit that allowed a school-record 645 total yards, including a 223 yards on the ground. In the Gators’ upcoming matchup, the rush defense won’t get much of a break against a much improved Tennessee Volunteers squad.

“The biggest improvement at Tennessee has been at the skill positions,” head coach Will Muschamp said during the SEC Media Teleconference.

One of those skill position players that has especially caught the attention of Muschamp is true freshman running back Jalen Hurd. The Hendersonville, Tenn. native has come on strong in Tennessee’s recent games as he’s emerged as the Vols’ feature back, carrying the ball 61 times in the last three games.

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At 6-foot-3, 221-pounds, Hurd is unlike most running backs. He’s larger than a prototypical back, but has the speed of someone usually with a much smaller frame. Muschamp envisions Hurd as a tough matchup come Saturday.

“[Hurd is] tough, physical, you know, north and south runner,” Mushcamp said in regard to the true freshman. “He doesn’t try and do a lot of east-west running.”

Tough, physical runners is nothing new for Florida’s defense. The Gators are just coming off a game where they faced off against TJ Yeldon and Derrick Henry, two of the most physical runners in the league. Awaiting them on the schedule will be guys like Todd Gurley, Leonard Fournette and Mike Davis.

With a struggling pass defense right now for the Gators, stopping the run becomes even more crucial to the Gators’ success on Saturday. If Hurd is able to have a big game, it’ll cause even more problems for Florida’s defense, a unit that was unable to withstand 60 minutes of tough, physical football against Alabama and eventually wore down in the fourth quarter.

With Hurd’s physical stature, the Gators could be vulnerable to wearing down too soon once again.

“He gets the ball north and south,” Muschamp, who praised Hurd in his press conference on Monday. “He’s a really good football player, but that’s what you saw in high school. I mean he was a tough, downhill runner. He pushes the pile in the run game and does a nice job.”

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Perhaps what’s most impressive about Hurd is the progression he’s had since the beginning of the season. His yardage numbers have gone up every single game and he just achieved his first 100-yard performance and that’s despite a patchwork Tennessee offensive line.

There’s no question that the sky is the limit for Tennessee’s budding superstar. Hurd may be a true freshman, but to the Florida coaches he sure doesn’t act or play like one.

“I don’t think he’s a freshman anymore, defensive coordinator DJ Durkin said Wednesday. “He’s playing with a lot of confidence.”