Billy Napier gives incredible perspective on Anthony Richardson's first SEC road start

Billy Napier is preparing himself and his team for Florida’s first road game of the year. It’s only that much more difficult when you realize it’s against SEC foe Tennessee. With so much focus on this game, Napier is really having to lock in on getting his team, specifically Anthony Richardson, prepared for the stage they’ll be on this weekend.

Napier talked about Richardson’s preparation for Tennessee during his press conference on Monday. He said he wants to see his QB focus on what he can affect in the game as well as realize that they don’t play football any differently in Knoxville than they do in Gainesville.

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“Just focusing on the things that he can control. I know that sounds cliche but I think the prep throughout the week and then just being a great communicator, verbal and nonverbal. I think you’ve got to go a good job overemphasizing the communication piece. Not only to the core of the offense but the perimeter as well,” said Napier. “(Just) realize it’s the same game. It’s not like we’re going to Canada and they’re gonna change the rules. It’s the same game (but) it’s gonna be a little louder and (we’re) playing at a different location.”

Richardson has had an up-and-down start to his junior season. After a great performance to open against Utah, he has hit some bumps in the road against Kentucky and USF. To survive on Rocky Top, Napier will need Richardson to smooth some of those out by Saturday.

It’s going to require an overall team effort, though, to get an SEC road win at Tennessee. There’s plenty of hype around the 11th-ranked Vols following their 3-0 start. With College GameDay in town ahead of their 3:30 p.m. EST kickoff, the Gators should fully expect to face a hostile, max capacity crowd in Neyland Stadium. Napier says it’s just the first hostile environment they’ll face of many in conference play this season. He wants his team to understand they’re prepared for this challenge and are ready for what the Tennessee fans will throw at them.

“I think we understand what comes with that,” said Napier. “We do a ton of work, in training camp in particular, and a number of things with crowd noise. We get out in front of that and anticipate that knowing that that’s coming and it’s not going away. We’re gonna have to deal with that the rest of the way.”

Florida and Tennessee’s rivalry is bitter to say the least. With both ranked in the Top-20, this early-season matchup holds a ton of value for both squads. If Napier wants his team to be able to take it back to The Swamp, it’ll take a collective effort through adversity as well as a return to opening game form for Richardson.