Montario Hardesty seems to be completely recovered from two offseason knee surgeries. The timing couldn't be better.

The tailback likely will carry a significant load when Tennessee plays host to Florida on Saturday. Hardesty was UT's primary tailback against Air Force last week after fellow sophomore Arian Foster went down with an ankle injury in the second quarter.

Hardesty has overcome two knee injuries in the past year. The first -- and most severe -- occurred during the Ole Miss game on Oct. 6 last season. Hardesty was forced to undergo surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Hardesty missed spring practice as he rehabilitated the joint. Then, after spring drills, he was sidelined for much of the summer after requiring surgery to repair a minor injury in his left knee.

Soreness and swelling in the right knee forced Hardesty to miss a handful of preseason practices. Now, he said he's feeling fine after a 19-carry, 73-yard performance last week, his most extensive work as a Vol.

"My knee actually feels real good," Hardesty said.

That's good news for the Vols, especially since Foster did not practice Monday. UT coach Phillip Fulmer said Foster is expected to return to practice this week.

Despite Hardesty's strong relief performance, he knows he wasn't perfect. The North Carolinian said he would like to be a more decisive runner than he was last Saturday.

"I see where I left a couple of yards out on the table against Air Force," Hardesty said.

That means Hardesty's best could be yet to come.

"I haven't been able to do this college football thing too many times," he said. "This is my fifth game coming up. I think I'm just getting accustomed to the speed of the game. The more I play, the better I should get."

Simple Scheme: Erik Ainge said Florida's defensive scheme doesn't wow you with complexity.

"They don't do a whole lot on defense," the junior quarterback said. "Florida has a lot of great athletes. ... They're real athletic."

The Gators were determined to stop UT's running game and pressure the passer last season. Florida lined up eight defenders in the tackle box and dared the Vols to beat them downfield.

"We couldn't get it done so, obviously, we have to be ready for that," Ainge said. "They have new corners and we know that."

Florida's new cornerbacks are senior Reggie Lewis and junior Ryan Smith. Lewis started two games last season after moving to defense from wide receiver during spring drills.

Smith, a transfer from Utah, started 12 games for the Utes last season. As a graduate, Smith wasn't required to sit out a year like a typical transfer student.

UT's passing offense has been successful against press coverage this season. Does that mean Florida will be as aggressive as last year?

"They can try," Hardesty said with a smile.

Option Opinion: Linebacker Ryan Karl said Florida's spread option offense is much different than Air Force's flexbone option that gave UT's defense so many problems Saturday.

"It's not as much reading," the junior said. "They're going to show you option right away. If it's out of the (shot)gun, you're going to be able to see exactly where it's going.

"There's not going to be a fake to the fullback really. It should be a little easier to read."

Defensive ends coach Steve Caldwell had nothing but good things to say about Air Force's option attack. Caldwell knows the approach well. He was part of Arkansas State's coaching staff when it ran a similar attack under former UT coach Larry Lacewell.

"I thought we were good," Caldwell said. "They were really good."

Dog Mentality: Karl said he wouldn't be surprised if UT was an underdog to Florida considering how the Vols struggled against Air Force and the injuries that UT suffered in that game. Karl almost seemed to relish the role.

"Being underdogs," he said. "I think we've performed really well."

Karl got his wish. Early odds have Florida favored by three to four points.

Injury Report: Senior Bret Smith returned to practice Monday after missing last week with a concussion suffered against California in the season opener.

Backup offensive lineman Ramon Foster did not practice. He suffered a sprained ankle against Air Force. Senior David Ligon did not practice Monday with an unspecified injury.

More Ainge: Ainge was named the SEC's offensive player of the week for his performance against Air Force when he completed 24 of 29 passess for 333 yards and three touchdowns. Ainge also was named the CAREacter Star athlete of the week for his work off the field.