The Tennessee Volunteers are still one of the favorites to win the SEC East despite a loss to Oklahoma, and they plan to get their conference schedule started with a bang against Florida. Here are three reasons why the Vols will beat the Gators on Saturday:
3) Tennessee's dominant defense
The Vols ranked near the bottom of the SEC in total defense in 2014, giving up a gut-punching 360 yards per game. However, with almost every single starter and contributor returning, Tennessee's defense has taken a major step up this year, allowing less than 24 points per game. Plus there's the X-factor against Florida's power rushing attack -- true freshman defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie. McKenzie has been an off-the-pavement semi-truck in practice and in his first three games, using scary speed and dynamite-level explosiveness to bury offensive linemen - and running backs - in the turf.
2) Florida's offensive struggles
The Gators have a lot of inexperience at the quarterback position in freshman quarterback Will Grier, who has struggled against decent competition this season (276 pass yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs combined vs. ECU and Kentucky) - and the competition takes a major step up this weekend. Florida's offense is ranked 73rd in the country, and Grier's lack of productivity will keep them from moving the ball against Tennessee.
1) Vols two-headed rushing attack
Jalen Hurd (300 rush yards, five touchdowns) and Alvin Kamara (195 rush yards, three touchdowns) might just be the best one-two running back combo in the country, leading a Tennessee offense that ranks 17th in the country in rushing (246 yards per game). Florida's defense has taken a step back this year, and the Vols have the duo - along with the running ability of quarterback Joshua Dobbs - to give the Tide a major headache.
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