The trenches will dictate Florida Football's fate against Tennessee

Three games into the season for Florida Football, the offensive line was a massive liability. Even though the Gators were not allowing many sacks, they were constantly under duress as the offensive line felt more like a revolving door than anything with structure.

The past two games have been far more stable for the line, and in turn, the offense has been far more successful. But this week, the competition ramps back up, and whether or not Florida's offensive line holds up will dictate their fate against Tennessee.

Florida Football: In The Trenches

With just five sacks allowed, Florida is currently tied for 16th in the country for the fewest sacks allowed. With just nine sacks defensively, Tennessee is 89th in the country.

On its surface, this bodes well for Florida, but sacks alone don't tell the whole story.

Even though Florida is actually 28th in the country in total sacks, Tennessee is averaging far more QB hurries per game than Florida. As we saw against Miami and Texas A&M, Florida doesn't have to be sacked in order for a play to be wrecked.

The Gators seem settled in their main unit of Austin Barber, Knijeah Harris, Jake Slaughter, Damieon George, and Brandon Crenshaw-Dickson after seeming to have little clue who they actually wanted to play early on. Tennessee will by far be their toughest test as a settled unit.

As we saw against Mississippi State and UCF, when Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway have time in the pocket, they can at least make completions to keep the ball moving downfield.

And if this unit holds up against Tennessee, Florida's offense has a pathway to work. If what we have seen the past two games is a mirage that benefitted from playing two of the worst defensive lines in the country, it might be a long night in Knoxville for Florida.