The Tennessee vs. Florida game this upcoming weekend has massive implications.

Both teams are two of the top favorites within the SEC East. The Vols are on the cusp of evolving as a legitimate conference player, and Florida is looking for its twelfth-straight victory over Tennessee.

However, injuries have cemented themselves as the main storyline.

During his Monday press conference, UT head coach Butch Jones discussed the health of his team — namely his defense. Unfortunately for the Volunteers, they’ll be without top corner Cam Sutton, starting MLB Darrin Kirkland, and reserve ‘backer Quart’e Sapp:

Sapp — a redshirt freshman — saw time in both a reserve role and on special teams. Kirkland is the unquestioned heartbeat of the defense. He makes the calls at the line of scrimmage, and truly gave Tennessee a physical presence.

The loss of Sutton is arguably the biggest of all. It could be particularly felt this weekend, with Florida WR Antonio Callaway coming to town.

UT will have to rally around it’s immensely deep and talented defensive line group. A lot of times, pressure up front can help to mask issues elsewhere within any defense.

Fortunately for the Vols, not all of the news is bad: