What Florida coach Billy Napier said Monday about facing No. 8 Tennessee

What Florida head coach Billy Napier said Monday about the Gators facing No. 8 Tennessee on Saturday night (7 Eastern Time, ESPN) at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville:

On Tennessee 

“Tennessee has a really good football team. I think all three parts of their team present challenges. I have a ton of respect for how they play, the tempo on offense, but the physicality of the run game paired with the explosive plays and vertical plays and perimeter concepts can be very challenging. I think defensively they continue to get better. We played them each year since we’ve been here. I do think they’ve done a really good job on this side of the ball. Personnel and fundamentals, you know, statistically if you look at the numbers there, they’re at the top of our league in most categories. I do think they do a nice job in the kicking game. It’s evident they play really hard and sound in what they do and have been very productive.

“Going to play in Knoxville against a team that in my opinion has a ton of capability and certainly has been impressive so far this year. I know they struggled a little bit last week, but in our league right now, heck, each week is like an NFL game. It’s coming down to the last seconds. 

“We’ve got respect for Tennessee. Obviously this is a rivalry game, one that has a ton of history and tradition. I grew up watching this game and have a ton of family dynamics here in terms of having history with this game.

“We know the importance and certainly our players will be focused and excited about preparing. I do think fundamentals are very, very important in games like this. I do think you have to be tough minded to go play on the road in this league. That will be part of the prep. Overall, excited about the week here, and looking forward to getting to work with the players today.”

Hurricane Milton potentially changing this week’s practice and/or travel schedule 

“We have had several discussions yesterday and today. I think ultimately what we know is that we anticipate today and tomorrow being traditional and then we are ready to adapt Wednesday and Thursday. Look, I think one thing I have learned — I have lived in some places that deal with this type of weather consistently — is that you play it six or 12 hours at a time. You are ready. You build out Plan A, Plan B and Plan C. We did that yesterday. Got to have a good ops crew. We have a great one. The UAA staff to go along with Josh Thompson. i think we have really good people there. We will be fine and we are ready to adjust.”

Tennessee’s offense not being as explosive the last two games, the Vols averaging more points in home games

“Some of what you’re saying I would agree with relative to home and away. In particular, the challenge of playing on the road in this league. That’s been the case for a lot of teams in our league, not just Tennessee. I think we would probably say the same.In general, I hope it’s not a track meet.

“I do think like ultimately, when you play Tennessee, you know there will be an element of strategy, in regards to keeping up. How do you do that? I think last year we were able to play complementary football in the game, and I think there is a component to that.

“Points are a premium. You do what you got to do to score. Again, go back to what I said in the opening statement. This is not just an offensive football team. I think they are pretty good on defense in my opinion, personnel, and I think in the kicking game their history there, they’ve had some success. So they’re ranked and been highly regarded in the pre-season for a lot of reasons. I think ultimately that’s what I see on tape.”

On Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava 

“He is a unicorn. This guy is 6-6. I don’t know how much he weighs but he is a big, athletic — he is ripping balls in the outside third, 15, 20 yards deep. He is throwing all the vertical shots. He has a big-time arm. He is accurate. He can escape, extend. He is a young player. He is getting experience. He will continue to get better. A lot of hype around him and I think on the tape you can see why.”