KNOXVILLE — Rivalry week is here and the Tennessee offense is preparing for a strong road test at Florida.

Through two games, the Vols’ offense ranks 83rd overall nationally, averaging 228 passing yards per game (68th nationally) and 154 rushing yards per game (75th).

The Tennessee offense has performed well throughout two games considering many play-makers have been replaced from last year’s team.

Starting quarterback Quinten Dormady says “they are all good playmakers, and they are doing their jobs.”

First year offensive coordinator Larry Scott has not been conservative, getting numerous players involved. Eleven players have recorded receptions and seven players have a rushing attempt.

“It’s still early and they’ve made some mistakes, but they’re continuing to want to be coached,” Scott said. “The greatest part about the first two games is getting them out there and kind of letting them go to see what they have, and then getting back to the correction part of it, which is coaching.

“Getting them back into the (film) room, and showing them things, and getting them to come out each and every week and go to practice to get a little bit better at those things and make those improvements steadily through the season.”

Scott is not shying away from playing at Florida in the first conference game.

“These are the games that you come to Tennessee for,” he said of playing at The Swamp.

“The conference season has begun, and it just so happens that the opener is in Gainesville against the Florida Gators. That’s why you do it. That’s why you come here, that’s why you coach here, that’s why you play here, that’s why you’re here.”

With a neutral site game and a home appearance under his belt as the Vols’ starting quarterback, following two seasons of experiencing SEC play as a back-up, Dormady understands what it will take to leave Gainesville victorious.

“We are going to have to win off the line of scrimmage, at the receiver position, and obviously make tight throws,” he said. “Getting into the SEC now, we are just going to have to make tight throws and execute each individual job.

“Florida in The Swamp, it is a hostile environment,” Dormady said. “It is going to be hot and humid. You definitely want to go down there and dominate, but in reality to dominate a team that is equally matched up with us, it comes down to executing.”

The progression of Dormady commanding the offense is apparent to Scott.

“He’s getting more and more comfortable with the ownership of the offense,” Scott said. “He has a really strong sense of what I’m trying to get done as a play-caller and what we’re trying to get done as a unit as well. So just settling into the concepts, protection schemes, all those things, just getting more comfortable every time he steps out there.”

Scott is ready for the showdown with the two-time defending SEC East champion Gators that will determine the direction the Vols will take in conference play.

“They’re the Florida Gators, we’re the Tennessee Volunteers. SEC football, let’s go play ball.”

Jabari Davis weighs-in on the Vols’ offense

“Gator Killer” Jabari Davis won three of four games versus Florida in his college career from 2001-2004.

The former Tennessee running back shared some thoughts with Saturday Down South.

“It is a big opportunity for us,” Davis said of the possibility of beating Florida in consecutive seasons.

“It is an opportunity for these seniors to go out with two wins over Florida after nearly beating them as freshmen and sophomores … ”

Davis likes what he sees with Scott coordinating the offense.

“You have to get your play-makers involved,” he said. “He is doing a good job by utilizing everyone’s talents.”

One thing that can make the offense dynamic is having Evan Berry involved once he is healthy. “He could definitely be a home-run hitter for us and even have his own package at times and create big plays,” Davis said.

“It hurts to have guys like Jauan Jennings and Chance Hall out, but that is the reason why you come to Tennessee, it is the next man up and anything can happen.

“Just to be safe in the league, you have to have a good stable of running backs. When you reach week six or seven, you are not going to have those fresh legs, and you need guys to help pick up the pace.”

Tennessee has that and has already played John Kelly, Ty Chandler, Tim Jordan and Trey Coleman in the backfield.

“The one thing we had was guys that could complement each other, because we all had different styles of running with power, speed and could pound it on the goal line and in short yardage situations,” Davis said. “Cedric (Houston) was a good slasher and pass catcher out of the backfield, (Gerald) Riggs was the one that we used in the slot, he had speed and a wiggle and could run.”

The running backs are running behind an offensive line that Davis says is showing “a lot of improvement.”

“Having Trey Smith play like a grown man helps, and he is just getting started. We have not seen what he is capable of doing yet. We just need to see who will step up in this (Florida) game and create some big plays.”

Davis says Kelly compares favorably to one of Davis’s former teammates.

“I hate to compare people, but he reminds me a lot – with his running style, size, the attitude and refusing to go down – of Travis Stephens.

“I had the honor as a freshman to watch behind Travis Stephens bang it out his senior season (2001) and that awesome performance he had beating Florida (19-226, 2 TDs). That performance is still the greatest performance I have ever seen personally as a Vol.”

Now, Tennessee is nearing kickoff at The Swamp, and Davis expects to see something special.

“There is always that guy that becomes a Vol legend or that big time playmaker in games like this.”

Note: Davis is hosting a UT/FL watch party at Casual Pint in Maryville, Tenn., on Saturday from 3-8 p.m.