Ready to Roll From Knoxville

The Florida Gators are 14.5 underdog as they look to take a second straight game from the Volunteers.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst

Big game on the horizon from Knoxville (GatorBait photo)

KNOXVILLE -- As the clock neared 7 in Knoxville, the Florida Gators arrived at Neyland Stadium ready to take on their longstanding rivals in one of the game's epic venues. The Gators looked to usher in a defensive resurgence against a Volunteer offense looking to regain its swagger after a lackluster Week 5 performance.

Volunteer quarterback Nico Iamaleava was the focal point of the Gator front led by Tyreak Sapp, Justus Boone and Jack Pyburn. Pyburn has begun to assert himself the last two games with 11 tackles. His play has been a welcome addition to an improving defensive unit that also includes sophomores Kelby Collins, TJ Searcy and freshman LJ McCray -- the Gators have also seen great production from Northern Illinois transfer George Gumbs Jr. who finshed last week's game with two tackles, and 1.5 sacks.

The Tennessee offense received some good news on Friday as receivers Bru McCoy, Dont’e Thornton, and Squirrel White were made available for tonight’s contest. All three had been listed as questionable in Wednesday’s initial availability report but were available as of Friday evening. With a combined 37 catches and 650 yards the trio will definitely be called upon to help get Nico Iamaleava going early in Tennessee’s first home game since throttling Kent State on September 14th. 

For quarterbacks Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway they will be elated to know that they should be with nearly a full compliment of their top receivers as Aiden Mizzell and Eugene Wilson III are set to return from injury. Gator fans last saw Wilson streaking down the middle of the field on a 85-yard touchdown pass from Lagway against Samford. Mizell will make his return after a solid day in Florida’s last game at Mississippi State. Mizell finished that game with a career high five catches and two electric big plays that were negated by penalty. Wilson can affect the game as both a pass catcher and a runner and the Volunteers will definitely be aware of his whereabouts when he is in the game. 

In a game that is always filled with four quarters of drama it would be interesting to see which football team would take the next step in what has suddenly become one of the most interesting games on the SEC slate this week. The Tennessee fans were full of glee as their beloved Volunteers made the walk down Phil Fulmer Way but prior to their arrival had plenty of boos for the Gators as they arrived at the stadium.