Florida Gators
GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was bragging about the play of his defensive tackles when he caught himself in mid-compliment.
"I don't want to go overboard yet," Spikes said. "We're fixing to play Tennessee."
That's not just Spikes talking. That's the consensus of the Florida defense.
In victories over Hawaii and Miami, the defense bore little resemblance to the bunch that was victimized so often last season. But while the Gators are more experienced and confident, they know they will be measured by their conference competition, starting with Saturday's game at Neyland Stadium.
Coach Urban Meyer knows that, too.
"Our defense is getting off the field (faster)," he said. "I'm seeing piles get knocked back. I feel better about our defense, but this will be our biggest challenge so far.
"Our guys know that. If they run the ball all over us, we won't win the game."
Meyer's reference to run defense stems from last year's struggles when Florida couldn't stop teams like LSU and Auburn on crucial short-yardage plays in two close losses.
Florida has given up only 60.5 yards rushing per game in its first two games. It hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown.
But that was against pass-oriented Hawaii, and a Miami team that lost its best running back to injury and was playing a couple of freshman quarterbacks.
The Vols seemingly have the personnel to challenge Florida's front seven. They have an experienced offensive line, and a couple of proven runners in preseason All-SEC pick Arian Foster and Montario Hardesty.
Nothing Florida did in its first two games should deter UT from attempting to run the football. And running the football is as crucial to its defense as its offense.
The Vols can't expect to beat Florida in a fast-break game. The best way to slow Florida's offense is to keep it off the field.
That strategy isn't lost on the Gators.
"That's their deal," Spikes said. "They're gonna run.
"You've got to stop it. If you can't stop it, you're going to have a long day."
Spikes, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound junior, is well established as a run stopper. But he needs more help than he got last year when Florida too often was sabotaged by inconsistent tackle play.
Florida seemingly has improved in that area, thanks, in part, to the play of tackle Lawrence Marsh, a converted defensive end.
Marsh, a 6-5, 290-pound sophomore, still has the lean look of a defensive end. But he welcomed the position switch.
"Everybody was telling me I've got the size and speed, that I needed to get on the field," he said. "As soon as we came back from the bowl game, I was trying to become the player they wanted me to be."
The transformation is startling to Spikes.
"He's a different player from freshman to sophomore," Spikes said of Marsh. "He has taken off.
"Terron Sanders (another sophomore tackle) is doing the same thing. I don't know what it was. I tried to stay on them during the off-season. I guess that's what pushed them over the edge."
That's when Spikes caught himself and put the rest of his compliments on hold.
His defense has proved it could stop Hawaii and Miami. It hasn't proved anything in the SEC.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 29
vtvol#210290 writes:
Run it down their throats Vols! Make this game hurt!!!!!!!!!!
vtvol#210290 writes:
TDTN, I will about 10:00 am outside Neyland Sat.. Come join.
vtvol#210290 writes:
I'm not driving 7 hours on 4+ dollar per gallon gas to see our Vols lose. I have never witnessed a Tennessee loss in person since the eighties when I was a student. I don't wear orange colored glasses by any means AND I am critical of the team when crticism is warranted. That being said, I EXPECT a Big Orange Victory and if you feel otherwise, stay the f#ck home. Go Vols! Punish Urban P#ssy and his Gators.
SmokeDog72 writes:
I sure as heck hope I am wrong, but I still feel the O-Line is a long way from physically dominating any SEC D-line. Run blocking seems to have become a lost art against worthy competition. I predict Florida holds us under 150 rushing.
VolinCalif writes:
Wish I could be there, Too Old and too far away. My 8 yr old grandson will carry on with my love for the Vols for many years. We'll be at the TV yelling like mad. It may be a little early for the Vols to put it all together but I don't think so.
Vols 28 Fl 24
Go my love go.
Vol in Calif
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
J. Adams' is in the driver's seat, and he's got it on cruise control. Nothing could be finer for him than, Florida, Auburn, and Georgia, back to back to back!! We have to have the mentality to beat their defense, keep our offense on the field, and outscore them. We could win all three of these games. who will be our heros, we will need some, this needs to be our mentality.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
The only way we (Tennessee) will beat Florida is if we play sound, fundamental football: give our all on every down, use leverage while blocking, make one-on-one tackles, and avoid penalties & turnovers.
In fact, that's the way you win every game.
SmokeDog72 writes:
BigVolinCarolina,
We seem to be lacking in fundamentals these days. It is going to be a struggle.
VOLKING writes:
No turnovers!!! No allowing returns for touchdowns or long pass plays. Pound the rock. It's the only way we will keep it close. Otherwise, pass the aspirin and JD.
SmokeDog72 writes:
JD, yes. Aspirin can wait til tomorrow.
hcjhworth#266723 writes:
If Florida had chavis we could throw 5 yard passes all game long and run through 4 players at the goal line.
orangeblood writes:
honestly, 60.5 yards rushing per game against who they have played makes me feel this much better about the game...i can't wait now....GO BIG ORANGE!!!!
newtonrail writes:
KNS must have plenty of money for A@@ Adams to stay at Gainesville all week, when the game is in KTown. Last couple of years he would spend a week for away games down "there" early. I sincerely hope you get to EAT your VIDEO clip, and I'm not a big Fulmer booster.
tripper writes:
The real John Adams would have said "People and nations are forged in the fires of adversity!"
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Boycott Florida winning!!!
Vols win by six.
DennisVols writes:
With 4 quality running backs UT should keep fresh legs on the field and as the game wears on we should be able to wear UF's defense down. Coach Cut was always too quick to give up on the running game and rely on the pass (short that is) toooooooo much. Draw them in with the running game and then mix in a long pass to keep them honest. It's Not rocket science here.
b_neas writes:
Smokedog72 - I would say you are right, they will hold UT under 150 yards rushing, because that is a lot of yards. I will say i think if UTY gets around 80-120 yards rushing they will win. Lets hope my assumption is right because as bad as the passing has looked this year the runnign has looked pretty good. It is just that we go away from it to soon, why pass when you are runnign easy?
TheVolMan writes:
nicksjuzunk, great post. We need to focus on beating Florida. Small-minded Weenies like Vols0074 don't get it. This was another interesting, well-written article by JA.
The Vols can win. The season has been tough but I know from experience that your team is usually not as great as you thought after a big win (think Cal '2006) or as bad after a stinking performance (UCLA). Speaking of UCLA, there was a another Vol season which started out with a loss to UCLA in LA and the Vols ran the table and won the SEC (OK, it was 1967). Not saying it's going to happen but crazier things have occurred.
Time to take down Urban Meyer!
DadwasaVol writes:
Adams says Florida's defense hasn't proved anything yet in the SEC. Just what is so pro-Florida about the article?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TDTN - 9:10-lose the facts. This is the rah-rah run-up to Gatortime.
Phil may be unveiling a new attack this Sat.
And then again.....
diggerland17#448133 writes:
The only way our Vols r going 2 win this game is if the fans BRING IT SATURDAY! We have 2 make this game 107,000 vs 22. The fans have to make Neyland the loudest venue in the country. The Volunteer Nation is the best fans in the world and we have to support our team like this is the last game we will ever c. Mrs. Bluehair dont tell me to sit down bc I will respectfully decline. Saturday is all about respect......Bring it Vol faithful...BRING IT!!!!GO VOLS!!!
TommyJack writes:
Boycotters are weenies.
SewaneeTiger writes:
Anyone else think our special teams coverage downfield has looked a lot better this year so far than in years past?
(granted, it has only been seen vs UCLA and UAB)
This weekend will reveal whether that old problem has truly been left behind.
MustangPackage101 writes:
Sewanee- it definitely has, but it will look even better when we KICK AWAY FROM BRANDON JAMES!!!
DannyVol writes:
Mr. Adams,
It's true that your team's defense isn't proven yet and that we might be able to take adavantage of that.
DannyVol writes:
TommyJack,
This Adams fellow spits in the collective faces on his orange-clad readership year-in and year-out and hardly a person says a word. "Boycott" may be a little strong or unrealistic, but the reason behind it is valid.
invisiblekid writes:
I'll get back with you on that question after Saturday SewaneeTiger. As MustangPackage101 said, kick the ball OUT OF BOUNDS. James has had big returns on us every year he has played although one was called back in '06. Maybe the 4th time is the charm for figuring it out.
OldNumber7 writes:
Prediction: their defense is incredible (based upon what I saw against Miami), we won't run the ball, and once one dimensionally passing - the game is over. They will run and pass at will.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
Sports radio host and college football expert Chuck Oliver had a source tell him that Florida will be without their starting safety due to some sort of injury. They'll be playing a true Freshman at safety. Can't remember the name of the Florida starter.
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