As Week 3 of college football rolls around, the No. 7 Tennessee Vols are riding high. Coming off a 51-10 win over the NC State Wolfpack, the Vols look to continue their winning ways.

Tennessee hosts the Kent State Golden Flashes under the Neyland lights before they travel to Arkansas and Oklahoma to open SEC play.

While Tennessee enters as heavy favorites, Kent State looks to take a page out of Northern Illinois’ playbook, a massive upset of a top 10 team at their stadium.

The Golden Flashes are in a slump, losing 11 straight games dating to last year. If they want any shot of challenging the Vols, they need to lean on their proven playmakers.

Here are three players who could give Tennessee a fight this weekend.

Wide receiver Luke Floriea

One of the Golden Flashes go-to pieces is wide receiver Luke Floriea. Kent State’s second-leading receiver a season ago, Floriea made the third-team all-MAC, and this year he hopes to find himself on the first team.

He’s off to a great start to his campaign, having recorded 196 receiving yards on 12 catches, including two touchdowns. This yardage total puts him almost halfway to his 2023 total of 400 yards.

Last week Floriea made his presence felt against Pitt. He pulled down six catches for 104 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown grab in the loss. This marks his second touchdown in as many games, continuing his early-season streak.

Floriea’s ability to stretch the field will be important to the Golden Flashes staying competitive.

Wide receiver Chrishon McCray

Alongside Luke Floria is sophomore receiver Chrishon McCray. Another weapon is going to be crucial for the Golden Flashes to keep up with the Vols, and McCray gives them just what they need.

Being named first-team all-MAC as a true freshman proves McCray’s dominance in the passing game.

Although he hasn’t been as efficient as Floreia, McCray has still been effective, grabbing nine catches for 94 yards, along with a touchdown in both contests.

McCray’s ability to turn small receptions into big plays is going to be a key to breaking the game open for the Golden Flashes. If Tennessee doesn’t take good angles and tackle well, expect McCray to have a big game.

Defensive lineman Stephen Daley

Although the Golden Flashes have struggled defensively, letting up 39 points a game this season, defensive lineman Stephen Daley has been a bright spot. He’s been a force on the line, tallying 13 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery.

Tennessee boasts one of the best rushing attacks in the SEC, so Daley’s performance is going to be critical for the Golden Flashes. The Vols’ offensive line is known for clearing massive holes for superstar Dylan Sampson to hit, and Daley is going to need to rally to close off the interior lanes in this game.

While the odds are stacked against Kent State, Daley could be the driving force behind an unlikely upset.