By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Can Tennessee’s offense finally get the Vols past the Gators?

Three games into the season, Tennessee is the only team in college football to rank in the top five nationally in both scoring and total offense. The fast-paced Volunteers slot third with 553.7 yards per game and fourth with 52 points per game. This is an offense, led by star quarterback Hendon Hooker, that continues to meet and surpass expectations. As Josh Heupel and Tennessee prepare to welcome ESPN College GameDay and rival Florida to town, they do so with the momentum of having scored 45 points or more in five of six games.

Saturday starts a key showcase stretch for the Volunteers, who will play the Gators, at LSU and Alabama in consecutive contests. Already ranked 11th in the AP Top 25 with a road win over defending ACC Champion Pittsburgh on the resume, Tennessee has a chance to emerge as a leading contender.

Expectations are high in Knoxville; the box score totals are, too.

Tennessee is producing with an impressive mix of highlights and efficiency. This is a group that can do it all. Amongst Power Five teams, only Ohio State has more plays of 40 yards or more than the Volunteers. On 16 trips to the redzone, Tennessee has scored touchdowns 14 times, good for eighth overall. The Volunteers lead the SEC and rank fourth in the country with 10.9 yards per pass and are tied for the league-lead with 12 rushing scores. The offense, with coordinator Alex Golesh, has 21 touchdowns in three games.

Hooker, at roughly 70% completions and ten yards per attempt, continues to be the catalyst and one of college football’s best. After finishing third in the nation with a passer rating of 181.4 a year ago, he has offered much more of the same this season; Hooker, with a current rating of 176.1, is averaging over 281 passing yards per game, has six passing touchdowns, zero interceptions and also two rushing scores. He and Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillman have been among the game’s elite trios, with both receivers ranking in the top three in the SEC in catches.

As usual, Florida awaits as another challenge and opportunity for Tennessee. The Volunteers struggled in Gainesville last year, scoring a season-low 14 points in a lopsided loss; a win over the Gators would be a springboard to start Tennessee’s SEC schedule.

With an offense as productive as any in the nation, the Volunteers are ready for one of their biggest games of the year.