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"

Coaches Play Coy As Michigan-Florida Showdown Looms

 The run-up to this Saturday's showdown between No. 11 Michigan and No. 17 Florida  has been entertaining -- at times --  banal -- mostly --  and intended to get under the skin of the opposing side.

 Welcome to Gamesmanship 101, with your professors Jim Harbaugh and Jim McElwain.

 Taking evasiveness to new levels, both coaches have been careful to not show their cards when it comes to a starting quarterback. They act as if this is some sort of war doctrine, which cannot be let out to the public.

Michigan's Jim Harbaugh praises Florida's athleticism

 Never mind that it's merely a football game, one that has high stakes but also gives the losing team ample time to recover and still make a case for the College Football Playoff.

 Harbaugh has been particularly tiresome, first declining to release an updated roster for his squad, then finally updating it with a listing of Wolverines in the NFL. Harbaugh said Monday that he knows who will start between Wilton Speight and John O'Korn, and the participants know, too. But he isn't divulging it until the game kicks off.

"Have not heard Florida announce who their starting quarterback is," Harbaugh told reporters during his weekly news conference. "We'd love that information."

 McElwain, who has already put a few cards on the table with this enthusiastic boast, says that the Gators also know their starter, but "We'll leave that for (Michigan) to guess."

 Florida will decide between sophomore Feleipe Franks, senior Luke Del Rio and Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire. Don't be surprised if Franks, who has the biggest arm and upside, gets the bulk of the work.

 Funny thing is, it's probably not the quarterbacks who will dominate the game. Both defenses were lights out a year ago, Michigan tied for first nationally in total defense, and Florida fifth. Each side has athleticism and playmakers and guys who would run through their mothers to get to the quarterback.

 Limiting big plays will be the focus for both sides, and the one that is more successful will come out ahead.

 This could be a breakout campaign for Michigan defensive end Rashan Gary, who whetted the appetites of Big Blue Nation with four tackles for loss and 27 stops in a limited role and believes the Wolverines are hungry to repeat last year's numbers. Blessed with freakish speed (sub 4.65 at 293 pounds), Gary will team with nose tackle Maurice Hurst (4 sacks, 7.5 TFL) to create havoc against a Gators front that reduced its sacks allowed from 46 to 28 a year ago.

The front seven for Michigan hopes to be as stingy on third down as it was last season, when it led the country by allowing just 21 percent conversions.

 "Things that stand out, defensively, really the way they force their opponents to lose on first and second down," McElwain said. "When looking at film, third and seven-to-10 and third and 11-plus reels, there were a lot of plays on them. So that tells us that they do a great job getting you into uncomfortable situations and behind the sticks. We have to try to stay ahead of the sticks.

Florida's Jim McElwain respects Michigan's defense (Tampa Bay Times)

"The games we've struggled in it's because up front we've been whupped. For us, it's important that those guys understand that, not letting the previous play affect you on the next play. that's probably the big thing. The teams that are really successful have players with short memories, they learn from it and move ahead."

Florida is no slouch on defense, though, with freshman Jabari Zuniga campaigning to be the next big time star. The sophomore netted five sacks a year ago and has a lightning-quick first step, and will need to be a bulwark for a front seven that lost four starters. The Gators secondary should be a handful for Michigan's untested receiving corps, led by All-America candidate Duke Dawson (team-best seven pass breaks up) at corner.

 It's no wonder Harbaugh sees almost a mirror image of his squad in the Gators defense.

"It's a long, athletic team," he said "Very quick and very aggressive. They’ll be in man coverage with an attacking style of defense. (Defensive coordinator) Randy Shannon is an outstanding coach and we’re looking forward to the competition and finding out where were at against a very good, talented team.”

 Michigan is breaking in a host of new skill players on offense, and while Florida is set at running back with Jordan Scarlett, the receiving corps will be missing All-America talent Antonio Callaway and freshman James Robinson, who are both among the eight suspended players for this game.
 
 Both teams realize the challenge that awaits on Saturday, and neither is running from it.

 “There’s no other sport that I can think of right now that doesn’t have a preseason, an exhibition season, or spring training in college or in professional sports other than college football so that’s the…no exhibition games. It’s unique. It is what it has always been, is and for the foreseeable future is going to be. That being understood, you better be ready to play your first game.”

 McElwain, who, like Harbaugh, seems to relish attention, feels that there's nothing better than being thrown into the fire right away.

“Our players come to the University of Florida to play in games like this.”

WHAT
No. 11 Michigan vs. No. 17 Florida
WHEN AND WHERE
Sept. 2nd, 3:30 pm, AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
WHO TO WATCH
MICHIGAN --  While quarterback is where most of the eyes are focused, the Wolverines need to show that they can run the football. Chris Evans (614 yards, 7.0 ypc) gets first crack, but USC transfer Ty Isaac should also be in the mix. The receivers are completely new, but talented, led by No. 1 recruit Donovan Peoples-Jones. Classmate Tarik Black is no slouch, ranking among the top 15 receivers nationally in the prep ranks, and Nico Collins is another newcomer with a ton of potential. Gary and Hurst are the stars on defense, but don't overlook LB Mike McCray, the leading returning tackler from a year ago and the son of a former Ohio State captain.
FLORIDA -- The revolving door at quarterback might be designed to keep Michigan on its toes, but it could also serve to discombobulate a Gators offense that wasn't very good last season (23.9 ppg). McElwain came to Gainesville with gaudy offensive credentials, but his teams have yet to show much firepower. It might be best if he picked one quarterback and went ahead. Linebackers David Reese and Kylan Johnson are rangy and lean and can get to the football in a hurry. They will be responsible for limiting Michigan's ground game. In the absence of Callaway, Tyree Cleveland (14 catches, 21.3 ypc) should have a starring role.
WHAT DECIDES THE OUTCOME
First one to 20 wins, right? Both offenses appear to be works in progress, which means an opportune fumble recovery or interception return could prove to be the difference in the game. Florida returned four picks for scores a year ago and could be aggressive in coverage against Michigan's young wideouts. Florida's receivers are also untested, but the difference is that Michigan's secondary lacks a veteran presence. If Franks (or whomever) can unleash just a couple of big throws, the Gators could prevail. Michigan will, per the usual Don Brown directive, be an excellent pass rushing team and bring players from all angles and different sides of the formation. If UM gets to the quarterback, it could set the tone for the rest of the contest.