Florida-Tennessee Preview Capsule
No. 19 Florida (3-0, 1-0 SEC) at No. 14 Tennessee (3-0, 0-0), 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Tennessee by 6 ˆ½
Series Record: Florida leads 26-19
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Florida already won its SEC opener over Kentucky and can move a step closer to its bid for a second straight Eastern Division title by beating the preseason division favorite. Tennessee is trying to end an 11-game skid in this annual series.
KEY MATCHUP
Tennessee offensive line vs. Florida defensive line: Tennessee has struggled to find the right combination on the offensive line following a preseason injury to tackle Chance Hall, who is expected to make his first appearance of the season Saturday. That line will have to be at its best Saturday against Florida, which leads all Football Bowl Subdivision teams in total defense, scoring defense and sacks. Florida's defensive line is so deep that Jabari Zuniga, who has a team-high four sacks, doesn't even start.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Florida: QB Austin Appleby: After starting 19 games at Purdue, where he threw an equal number of touchdown passes and interceptions, this graduate transfer makes his first start as a Gator this week in place of the injured Luke Del Rio.
Tennessee: QB Joshua Dobbs: He was Tennessee's leading rusher, passer and receiver in the Vols' 28-27 loss at Florida last season. Dobbs must find a way to move the ball against a Florida defense that hasn't given up a touchdown pass and hasn't allowed any team to gain over 200 yards in total offense.
FACTS & FIGURES
Florida allowed just 53 yards in a 32-0 victory over North Texas last week, marking the lowest total the Gators have ever yielded in a single game. ... Tennessee's nine-game winning streak over the last two years is its longest since the Vols won 14 straight in 1998-99. ... Although Florida has won its last 11 meetings with Tennessee, this marks the fourth time in the last five years the Vols have been favored over the Gators. ... Josh Malone has four of Tennessee's six touchdown catches and has 196 yards receiving. No other Tennessee players have more than 70 yards receiving. ... Tennessee defensive coordinator Bob Shoop is the brother of John Shoop, who worked with Appleby as Purdue's offensive coordinator from 2013-15.
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