SEC Football: Three Things to Watch For, Week Four
1. How will Austin Appleby Perform?
Florida has looked like easily the best team in the SEC East this year so far. However, the Gators face their toughest test of the season so far in the form of the Tennessee Volunteers. Unfortunately for Florida fans, the Gators will be without their starting quarterback in Knoxville.
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Luke Del Rio is out with a sprained knee. That leaves the quarterback duties in the hands of Austin Appleby. Appleby is a graduate transfer from Purdue. For his career he has completed 55 percent of his passes for 2,807 yards with 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Those numbers aren’t particularly inspiring.
In fairness, Appleby was working with a less talented supporting cast during his time with the Boilermakers. Antonio Callaway has the ability to make any quarterback look better than he actually is. It also doesn’t hurt that the Gators have a ferocious defense. Nevertheless, Appleby will have to make plays if the Gators want to win this game. Can he do so? I can’t wait to find out.
The Florida versus Tennessee matchup is a vital one in terms of the SEC East race. The winner of this game will likely have the inside track to Atlanta. I don’t expect Appleby to come out and play like a star. However, I do expect him to do enough for the Gators to win this game. Florida looks like they are easily the best team in the East this year.
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