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Published Sep 22, 2016
The Edge: Florida-Tennessee breakdown
Inside the Gators
Staff

Today we provide you with a very detailed team comparison between No. 19 Florida and No. 14 Tennessee. Scroll down to view how the two teams match-up at each position from a recruiting standpoint, how they compare stats wise and who has the edge in each facet of the game.

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Here's a color-coded depth chart which shows how Florida and Tennessee players stacked up when they were recruits.

Color-coded key

Blue: Five-star player

Orange: Four-star player

Clear: Three-star player

Yellow: Two-Star or Unranked by Rivals.com

Florida offense vs. Tennessee defense  

Florida defense vs. Tennessee offense  

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* Behind Enemy Lines: TN beat writer Q&A

* McElwain update's Callaway's status

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COMPARING FLORIDA AND TENNESSEE IN EACH STATISTICAL CATEGORY
CategoryFLORIDA GATORSTENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS

AP/Coaches

#19/#16

#14/#12

SOS

122nd (-18.5 rating)

31st (0.8 rating)

Total Offense

40th nationally (466.0 YPG)

101st nationally (351.0 YPG)

Scoring Offense

T-58th (33.7 PPG)

T-69th (31.0 PPG)

Passing Offense

38th (264.0 YPG)

109th (162.0 YPG)

Rushing Offense

51st (202.0 YPG)

56th (189.0 YPG)

3rd Down Conversions

3rd (58.0%)

T-71st (39.53%)

4th Down Conversions

T-89th (40.0%)

N/A

Red Zone Conversions

T-111th (71.43% - 57.14% TD, 14.29% FG)

T-1st (100% - 81.82% TD, 18.18% FG)

Long Scrimmage Plays of 30+ Yards

T-98th (4)

T-83rd (5)

Long Rushing Plays of 20+ yards

T-55th (4)

T-39th (5)

Long Pass Plays of 20+ yards

T-66th (9)

T-99th (6)

Sacks Allowed

T-6th (1.0 sack allowed)

T-83rd (7.0 sacks allowed)

Time of Possession

10th (35:12.67 MPG)

84th (28:07.67 MPG)

Total Defense

1st (129.7 YAPG)

39th (336.7 YAPG)

Scoring Defense

1st (4.7 PAPG)

35th (18.7 PAPG)

Passing Defense

2nd (87.3 YAPG)

35th (184.0 YAPG)

Rushing Defense

2nd (42.3 YAPG)

T-71st (152.67 YAPG)

Tackles For Loss

T-28th (23.0 for loss of 127 yards)

T-60th (18.0 for loss of 47 yards)

Sacks

1st (16.0 for loss of 112 yards)

T-102nd (3.0 for loss of 15 yards)

Interceptions

T-16th (4 for 33 yards)

T-93rd (1 for no yards)

Fumbles Forced

T-38th (3 FF)

T-68th (2 FF)

Passes Broken Up

T-48th (10)

T-48th (10)

Field Goals

T-65th (71.4%, 5/7)

T-92nd (60.0%, 3/5)

Punting

4th (50.33 YPP)

32nd (43.67 YPP)

Kickoff Returns

86th (19.40 YPR)

T-41st (23.67 YPR)

Punt Returns

T-86th (5.0 YPR)

T-106th (2.33 YPR)

Turnover Margin

T-20th (+3)

T-34th (+2)

Penalties

114th (252 yards on 25 penalties)

T-99th (209 yards on 21 penalties)

Let's be completely honest about this, from a number's standpoint or how the teams have looked to date, this skews heavily in Florida's favor. However, you absolutely have to take into consideration who each team has played - and to be frank - Tennessee's three opponents are much better than anything Florida has faced.

Having said that...

WHO HAS THE EDGE?
CategoryThe ReasoningThe Edge

UF rush offense vs. UT rush defense

Florida's four-headed monster at tailback is averaging over 200 yards per game and Tennessee is a bit uncertain at linebacker with Jalen Reeves-Maybin nursing a shoulder injury. Upfront though, you would still have to give the Vols defensive line the early edge over the Gators offensive line.

EVEN

UF pass offense vs. UT pass defense

This is perhaps the biggest question mark going into the game. What can Florida do in the air with Austin Appleby taking over for Luke Del Rio? A potential upside to this situation is that Appleby is much more mobile than Del Rio, and that could come in handy playing behind a still untested Florida line - which is without guard Tyler Jordan. Tennessee is without top cornerback Cam Sutton.

EVEN

UF rush defense vs. UT rush offense

Regardless of competition level, Florida's run defense has been stout this year. The Vols offensive line is a huge question mark - while the Gators have one of the top defensive lines in the nation. With Daniel McMillan likely being sidelined, Florida can't suffer anymore injuries/setbacks at linebacker.

FLA

UF pass defense vs. UT pass offense

Florida has perhaps the best secondary in the nation and the defensive line, while lacking an elite pass rusher, has still been able to consistently harass opposing quarterbacks. For a player who was on some preseason Heisman lists, to this point in the season Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs has been more hype than production.

FLA

Special Teams

The positive - Eddy Pineiro and Johnny Townsend are one of the top kicking/punting duos in the Southeast. The negative - Florida has no return game to speak of.

EVEN

Intangibles

How does Appleby handle not only his first start for Florida, but in a hostile environment the likes of which he's never seen before? Tennessee's biggest potential advantage is the home crowd. If the Vols go up early or even keep it close - the crowd will remain a big factor, then how does Florida respond?

TENN

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