Gators Ready For Vols After Dealing With Irma

 There has been plenty of history, bad blood and big plays in the rivalry between Tennessee and Florida.

 The SEC East rivals square off at Florida Field this Saturday, both with something to prove after residing in the lower levels of the national rankings rather than their customary spots in or near the top 10.

 But football isn't the first, or only thing, on the Gators' minds. The aftermath of Hurricane Irma, which affected millions of Floridians, brought real life right into Florida's backyard. There was a question about whether this game would be played, but the school announced recently that it would go on as scheduled.

Florida coach Jim McElwain believes his team is ready for Tennessee (247Sports)

 "Our guys are going to go play hard," Florida coach Jim McElwain said. "We are going to put a good thing together to give them an opportunity to play fast and release some of their pent-up frustrations. And as we come out in The Swamp, I think our thoughts go a lot farther than the selfish reasons you play a game, but more so the big-picture reasons you play a game, and hopefully give some relief to some people whose lives have been changed forever."

 The Vols come into the game 2-0 after an easy win over Indiana State, while the Gators haven't played since Labor Day weekend, when they suffered a 33-17 loss to Michigan that wasn't nearly as close as the score indicates. Their scheduled home game against Northern Colorado last weekend was cancelled.

 Tennessee typically has the burden of expectation on its shoulders, but after a few seasons of underachieving, the Vols are flying a bit under the radar at No. 23. Not much is known about the Vols, who have new starters at many offensive skill positions, including quarterback Quentin Dormady, and a defense that was far too generous at times last year, allowing an FBS high six carries of 60-plus yards in 2016.

 That defense and youth means that Vols coach Butch Jones doesn't exactly know what he might see on Saturday.

 "We have to start fast on the road," Jones said. "Over half our football team has never been to The Swamp. It takes a mature football team to go down there."

 A good way to get Dormady comfortable would be to have him hand off to John Kelly, who has impressed with a 5.62 yards per carry average and four touchdowns through four games. Kelly also leads the team in receptions, with 10, and will be the workhorse against a very good Florida defense. Wideout Marquez Calloway has been a big play threat, catching five passes for 152 yards and three scores. 

Butch Jones has his Vols at 2-0 heading into Gainesville (RockyTopInsider)

 If Dormady can navigate the hostile atmosphere, he could have a big day. Through two games, the junior has shown that the moment isn't too large, completing 60 percent of his passes for 415 yards and four touchdowns, with just one interception. Florida has speed and athleticism and will test the Vols offensive line, so Dormady will have to play with precision.

 "I want to see poise," Jones said. "The great quarterbacks have the ability to lead their teams on game-winning drives on the road."

 Florida looked woefully overmatched against the Wolverines, scoring both of its touchdowns on interception returns. The quarterback position, supposedly an area of expertise for coach Jim McElwain over the year, continues to be dismal, and if the Gators can't get it done this week against Tennessee, it could be the beginning of a real downward spiral in Gainesville.

 Feleipe Franks and Malik Zaire will both play this week, as they did in the opener, and McElwain will go "by feel" as the game progresses. Neither was terribly impressive against Michigan, though Franks was a bit more willing to take some chances downfield.

 The Gators will still be without nearly a dozen players suspended for the opener for misusing school-issued funds, including star receiver Antonio Callaway and leading rusher Jordan Scarlett. It could be another tough week offensively, though Tennessee's defense hasn't been great through two games, netting just one sack on 153 plays.

 Florida will rely on defense, led by linebacker David Reese (11 tackles) and defensive end Jordan Sherit (five tackles, two sacks), play field position and hope that its thus-far dormant offense (3.62 yards per play) can break through.

 "Make no mistake about it, this is a line of scrimmage league," Jones said. "There is a lot that goes into impacting the quarterback. We haven't played two schemes that allows us to get pressure."

 The Vols ended an 11-game losing streak in the series last year, beating the Gators 38-28 at home. Tennessee hasn't won at Florida Field since 2003, but was painfully close in 2015, falling 28-27 after Callaway took a curl route 63 yards for the game-winning score with 1:26 left to play.

 This one may not have the drama of "Faxgate," or "The Catch?" or Steve Spurrier telling a booster club "you can't spell Citrus without UT," but there isn't a lot of extra fuel needed in this contest.

 A loss for Florida knocks them out of not only the College Football Playoff picture, but quite likely the SEC East race, which it has won three of the last five years, including the previous two seasons.

 "One of the great lessons you learn in athletics, and especially in the game of football, is sometimes you get knocked down," McElwain said. "The measure of a true man is how he gets back up and that's what we're going to do"