Tomorrow brings a world of excitement. Not only for the game, but for the thoughts of a glorious tailgate followed by copious amounts of football. If I were you, I might not want to be near me between the hours of 3:00 PM and, let’s say. 3:00 AM. I’ll be a treat. Luckily the people I’ll be with tolerate my behavior and the things that come out of my mouth post a case of Busch Light. Of course the game is what everything revolves around and it’s what makes everything happen, so here are 10 things I’d like to see in
Florida’s
battle with the Volunteers from
Tennessee
…
1. A blowout. Let’s be honest, every Gator fan, and every non-Vol SEC fan, wants Florida to absolutely annihilate Tennessee. The 59-20 drubbing in 2007 was good, but allowing 20 points in unacceptable. In 2008, holding the Vols to six points was what we wanted, but scoring 30 wasn’t enough. This year, we all want a little of both. 59-6 would be perfection. Offense and defense running on all cylinders. Oh and don’t forget the special teams. I don’t want this to be a good game. I don’t want it to be close past the opening kickoff. I’m a Florida fan and I want a blowout.
2. Maintain the ridiculously high yards per carry. Florida averages 8.4 yards on the ground. Jeffery Demps leads the way with 14.7, Chris Rainey is notching 12.4 a clip, and Emmanuel Moody comes in at 9.8. Basically, give the ball to anyone of those guys and odds are your getting a first down.
3. Get Omarius Hines on the field. Yes the competition hasn’t been ideal, but Hines has performed admirably. He’s currently third on the team in receptions and yards. Hines has earned his shot and should get time as the fourth or even third receiver if the opportunity presents itself.
4. Go to Deonte Thompson. I’ve kept #4 the same from last week. Thompson dropped another pass early in the game against Troy, but rebounded with two touchdown catches. Regardless of the two scores, Thompson’s involvement is less than ideal so far. Two catches in two games is not what you want from a guy who was supposed to be the go-to receiver.
5. Work in anyone else at tight end. If Gator coaches are so worried about the possibility of Aaron Hernandez getting hurt, then they need to work someone else into the rotation somehow. Now’s the time to do it.
6. Limit the big play. To expect Jonathan Crompton to lead more than one multiple-play, clock-eating drives, is like expecting an earthquake to swallow The Swamp whole on Saturday. If Tennessee is going to stay in it, they will need big plays. They seem to have the talent to break a big run or two and Florida knows it. Come tomorrow, they’ll need to stop it.
7. The Brandon Spikes coming out party. Spikes has been relatively quiet so far this year. It’s okay at this point because the Gators haven’t needed him. But this is SEC play and it’s time for the real Spikes to come out. The defense feeds off of Spikes’ enthusiasm. I’m sure he’ll be up for this one.
8. Big hits. Spikes, Will Hill, Major Wright. Florida has some big hitters and now it’s time to unleash them. Don’t think Vol receivers won’t be given a message when coming across the middle or looking up for the ball. This will be a classic slobber knocker.
9. Interceptions. Crompton likes to pass to the other team. He’ll hit Gator defensive backs at least once and most likely twice or even thrice. Florida’s secondary needs to be ready because they can singlehandedly put this out of reach.
10. Brandon James. James likes playing against Tennessee. Tennessee doesn’t like playing against James.
Conference play is here. Go Gators!