The Vols look vulnerable, can the Gators capitalize Saturday night?

The Gators will need a repeat of their defensive effort vs. UCF to beat Tennessee (Photo by Chris Spears)

A few thoughts to jump start your Tuesday morning:

It was just a couple of weeks ago that the Tennessee Vols were being talked up as a national championship contender. Three games, three blowouts. The Vols had it all going for them. Then came two road trips, a sputtering offense and a loss to unranked Arkansas.

Suddenly, the Vols look quite vulnerable. Is it a case of the Vols are monsters at home,  quite beatable on the road? Or have they been exposed?

Either way, Florida’s task is quite simple Saturday (7 p.m., ESPN) when the Gators (3-2, 1-1 SEC) take on the 8th-ranked Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) at Neyland Stadium – No turnovers, pass protect, stuff the run and eliminate the big plays in the passing game. For the first time in quite awhile against a Division I opponent, the Gators were rock solid in every phase when they took down UCF, 24-13.

The question that should be on everybody’s mind is can they do it two weeks in a row?

Meanwhile, Tennessee’s blur offense has been slowed to a creep at Oklahoma and Arkansas. The Vols were averaging a point a minute in their first three games. They scored two touchdowns, kicked three field goals and got a safety in a 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Norman. Against Arkansas, the Vols were held scoreless in the first half for the first time since 2019 when the Gators built up a 17-0 lead at the half and cruised to a 34-3 win at The Swamp.

Tennessee lost two of its next three games after losing to the Gators in 2019, then the Vols caught fire and went on to win their next six games to finish 8-5. Florida finished 11-2 that year and the Gator defense wound up 9th nationally overall, 7th in scoring defense and 8th against the run. The Gators forced 33 turnovers and sacked opposing quarterbacks 47 times.

Florida’s defense is nowhere close to those 2019 numbers, but their Saturday night performance against UCF offered a ray of hope that the Gators are improving. Playing at Neyland Stadium the Vols are likely to be better offensively than they’ve been the past two weeks, but can the Gators keep them from revving up and going beast mode?

Over on the other side of the ball, the Gators have to give Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway time to throw the football. In the past two games, the two have combined to complete 47-56 passes (83.9 percent) for 506 yards (9.03 per attempt) and four touchdowns without an interception. The UF offensive line hasn’t allowed a sack in either of the last two games, and only five all season, which ranks second in the SEC.

Whether Tennessee’s offense has soured or just suffering road woes, Florida’s task doesn’t change. No turnovers, pass block, stuff the run and keep big plays in the passing game to a minimum. Do those things and the Gators have a real chance to win.

Associated Press top 25: 1. Texas 5-0; 2. Ohio State 5-0; 3. Oregon 5-0; 4. Penn State 5-0; 5. Georgia 4-1; 6. Miami 6-0; 7. Alabama 4-1; 8. Tennessee 4-1; 9. Ole Miss 5-1; 10. Clemson 4-1; 11. (TIE) Iowa State 5-0 and Notre Dame 4-1; 13. LSU 4-1; 14. BYU 5-0; 15. Texas A&M 5-1; 16. Utah 4-1; 17. Boise State 4-1; 18. (Tie) Indiana 6-0, Oklahoma 4-1 and Kansas State 4-1; 21. Missouri 4-1; 22. Pittsburgh 5-0; 23. Illinois 4-1; 24. Michigan 4-2; 25. SMU 5-1

AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Texas 5-0; 2. Ohio State 5-0; 3. Oregon 5-0; 4. Georgia 4-1; 5. Penn State 5-0; 6. Miami 6-0; 7. Alabama 4-1; 8. Ole Miss 5-1; 9. Tennessee 4-1; 10. LSU 4-1; 11. Clemson 4-1; 12. Notre Dame 4-1; 13. Iowa State 5-0; 14. Texas A&M 5-1; 15. BYU 5-0; 16. Oklahoma 4-1; 17. Utah 4-1; 18. Missouri 4-1; 19. Kansas State 4-1; 20. Indiana 6-0; 21. Michigan 4-2; 22. Boise State 4-1; 23. Illinois 4-1; 24. Pittsburgh 5-0; 25. SMU 5-1

SEC FOOTBALL

No. 7 Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC): Defensive lineman Jeheim Oatis, who has started 13 games in his Bama career, is taking a redshirt to enter into the transfer portal. Next Saturday: South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC)

Arkansas (3-2, 2-1SEC): QB Derek Singleton was selected SEC Freshman of the Week for his role in the Razorbacks’ upset win over Tennessee. David Carmona was selected SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week. Next Saturday: Open

Auburn (2-4, 0-3 SEC): The bad news is Auburn has lost three straight games. The even worse news is Hugh Freeze is sticking with Payton Thorne at QB. Next Saturday: Open

No. 5 Georgia (4-1, 2-1 SEC): Trevor Etienne had his best game in a Georgia uniform against Auburn, running for 88 yards and two touchdowns while catching six passes out of the backfield for 36 yards. Next Saturday: Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC)

Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC): Despite Vanderbilt’s stunning, 40-35, win over then No. 1 Alabama, Kentucky opens as a 12.5-point favorite over the Commodores. Next Saturday: Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-2 SEC)

No. 13 LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC): LSU’s defense ranks 14th in the SEC, but their 353.6 yards allowed per game represents an improvement of 63 yards per game. Next Saturday: No. 9 Ole Miss (5-1, 1-1 SEC)

Mississippi State (1-4, 0-2 SEC): Next Saturday: at No. 5 Georgia (4-1, 1-1 SEC)

No. 21 Missouri (4-1, 1-1 SEC): Against the Aggies, QB Brady Cook completed only 13-31 passes for 186 yards and a TD. Cook was sacked six times.  Next Saturday: at UMass (1-5)

No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC): The Sooners are expected to give freshman Michael Hawkins Jr. his second straight start at quarterback. Next Saturday: No. 1 Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC) in Dallas

No. 9 Ole Miss (5-1, 1-1 SEC): Suntarine Perkins was selected SEC Defensive Player of the Week and Walter Nolen was selected SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week.   Next Saturday: at No. 13 LSU (4-1, 1-0 SEC)

South Carolina (3-2, 1-2 SEC): The Gamecocks have allowed 22 sacks, worst in both the SEC and the nation. Next Saturday: at No. 7 Alabama (4-1, 1-1 SEC)

No. 8 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC): In their first three games this season, the Vols gained 1,918 yards and scored 191 points. In their last two, the Vols have gained 677 yards while scoring 44 points. Next Saturday: FLORIDA (3-2, 1-1 SEC)

No. 1 Texas (5-0, 1-0 SEC): Quinn Ewers, out the last two games with an injury, took reps with the first team offense last week. While Ewers was out, Arch Manning completed 41-60 passes for 583 yards and four touchdowns. Next Saturday: No. 18 Oklahoma (4-1, 1-1 SEC) in Dallas

No. 15 Texas A&M (4-1, 3-0 SEC):  Conner Weigman, in his first game back in three weeks, completed 18-22 passes for 276 yards. He also ran for 33 yards … Punter Tyler White was selected SEC Special Teams Player of the Week. Next Saturday: Open

Vanderbilt (3-2, 1-2 SEC): QB Diego Pavia was the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for leading the Commodores to their upset win over Alabama. Gunnar Hansen was selected SEC Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week, Miles Caper was selected SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week and placekicker Brock Taylor was selected SEC Co-Special Teams of the Week. Next Saturday: at Kentucky (3-2, 1-2 SEC)

AROUND THE STATE

Florida Atlantic (2-3, 0-1 American): The Owls lead the AAC in pass defense, giving up just 134.4 yards per game. Next Saturday: North Texas (4-1, 1-0 American)

Florida International (2-3, 1-0 Conference USA): The Panthers are 20-point underdogs against Liberty Tuesday night. Next Tuesday: at Liberty (4-0, 2-0 Conference USA)

Florida State (1-5, 1-4 ACC): The Seminoles have yet to gain at least 300 yards in a game this season. In the loss to Clemson, FSU gained only 250 yards. FSU ranks next to last nationally in rushing, averaging just 58 yards per game. Next Saturday: Open

No. 6 Miami (6-0, 2-0 ACC): Miami rallied to a 39-38 win over California despite trailing 35-10 in the third quarter … QB Cam Ward has thrown for 2,219 yards and 20 touchdowns. Next Saturday: Open

South Florida (2-3, 0-1 American): The Bulls are 6-point underdogs at home for Saturday’s game with Memphis … South Florida ranks dead last in the AAC in pass defense. Next Friday: Memphis (4-1, 1-0 American)

UCF (3-2, 1-1 Big 12): UCF is a 3.5-point favorite for Saturday’s game with Cincinnati. Saturday: Cincinnati (3-2, 0-1 Big 12)

COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY: WEEK FIVE 

On Life Support

Billy Napier, Florida: Was the win over UCF a sign that the great turnaround has begun or, as Buddy Martin calls it, a stay of execution? The Gators are in Knoxville Saturday. A win will shock the world. A blowout loss and things could be ugly.    

Stan Drayton, Temple:  Shirley Temple is 1-5, but Saturday the Owls play Tulsa, which is winnable. Maybe.

Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech:  Lousy Tech is 1-3, but the next three games are winnable. If he wants to save his job, Sonny-boy has to win all three.

Joe Moorhead, Akron:  The Zips are 1-5 and there isn’t a winnable game left on the schedule. Maybe Joe can get a job as an OC somewhere. He’s good at that.

Will Hall, Southern Miss:  The situation is grim and that’s looking on the bright side. If they had any money at Southern Miss he would already be gone.

Mike Bloomgren, Rice:  The Owls are 1-4. If Bloomgren wins three of the next eight he probably survives. Firing is such a messy thing at a school whose average SAT scores are stratospheric.

Mike Neu, Ball State: The Cards almost won a game, which is a serious improvement since they lost the one before that by 56. Neu is 38-59. Time to get the Sharpie and cardboard out to write a “Will coach for beer” sign.

Dave Aranda, Baylor: The Bears need four more wins to become bowl eligible and even then it will be a dicey situation for a guy who was once thought to be the coaching equivalent of the next great thing.

Endangered Species List

Hugh Freeze, Auburn: The natives are really, really restless, asking themselves who told Hugh Freeze Payton Thorne could play QB in the SEC? Auburn is 2-4 with maybe one more winnable game on the schedule. He probably survives, but next year he’ll be on a choker leash.   

Mike Houston, East Carolina: He lost to Charlotte, not exactly conducive for long term job security. He’s 3-3 this year and he needs a 4-2 finish.

Clay Helton, Georgia Southern: A big game this week with Marshall. It’s in Statesboro so the Eagles could move to 4-2. He should get six wins. Seven is entirely possible.   

Jim McElwain, Central Michigan: Old Yeller needs three wins to stay gainfully employed, but four would make it nearly impossible to dismiss him.

Don Brown, UMass: The Minutemen are 1-5. They really can’t afford to fire Brown. They really can’t afford to put any money into the football program, either.

Mike Norvell, Florida State: The good news is QB DJ Uigalelei broke his finger and is out awhile. The bad news is nothing changed with Brock Glenn at QB. FSU still stinks.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Roland Thornqvist announced his retirement as the coach of Florida’s women’s tennis team Monday. Thornqvist led the Florida program for 23 years, winning four NCAA titles, 11 SEC regular season championships and 10 SEC Tournament championships. The Gators were NCAA runners-up twice and made it to the semifinals an additional five times.

After two seasons as the head coach at Kansas and three at his alma mater, North Carolina, Thornqvist took over the Florida program from legendary Andi Brandi. He finishes his Florida career 472-90 overall, 211-31 in SEC play.

Associate head coach Jeremy Bayon will serve as the interim head coach while athletic director Scott Stricklin initiates a national search for a replacement for Thornqvist.