It’s Tennessee Hate week, as Jesse Richardson alluded to on the latest episode of The Gator Slant on Monday.
Florida looks to build on a strong performance against No. 1 Alabama while Tennessee hopes for a Gators letdown in the Swamp.
The Gators have won fifteen of the last sixteen games in the series, but that doesn’t mean the recent meetings have lacked any flare or intrigue.
Both teams are 2-1 entering Saturday’s primetime matchup as Tennessee dropped a week two game against Pittsburgh.
The following is our staff’s predictions for the Florida – Tennessee game:
Florida is the better team in this matchup, but that doesn’t always translate into wins and losses. The Gators will need to be able to run the ball in order to set up the passing game, much like we saw last week. Tennessee enters with the top run-defense in the SEC, but Mark will explain why that figure is misleading shortly. Tennessee will try to run the up-tempo style of offense that Josh Heupel was known for at UCF, it’ll be up to the Florida front seven to disrupt the UT passing game and create havoc in the backfield. I expect the Gators to start a little slow, but get things rolling by halftime. Florida, 34-13.
We all know the infamous pass from QB Felipe Franks to WR Tyrie Cleveland to break the 20-20 tie against the Volunteers back in 2017. In my mind, that sets the tone for this weekend — only we have home advantage. Tennessee currently sits 2-1, taking wins against Bowling Green and TN Tech and a close loss against Pittsburgh. Does that say much though? The strength of the wins, or lack thereof, doesn’t compare to Florida’s 31-29 close loss against the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide. Florida leads the series 30-20, and I’m confident that they can make it to 31. Starting quarterback Emory Jones made great, strategic plays against Alabama; Gators defense held their own, and the game came out to be a success. Florida has the strength and capabilities to come out victorious. Gators, 46-28.
Florida is coming off a disappointing loss to the Crimson Tide in Gainesville and there’s no way the Gators will allow the Volunteers to walk out of the Swamp with a win. Last week, the Gators tore Bama apart in the trenches with the running back combination of Nay’Quan Wright and Dameon Pierce to combine for 144 yards and lead a third quarter comeback to bring the game within two. However, Saturday night, we will see Pierce and Wright ram through the Vols defense from start to finish to allow Florida to outgun Tennessee and redeem the two-game home stance. Gators, 31-10.
Florida (2-1) boasts the nation’s #2 rushing attack. Tennessee (2-1) comes to Gainesville with the nation’s #5 run defense. I’m not buying into the Vols defensive front hype. Why? Tennessee’s opponents simply haven’t run the football well. Bowling Green (1-2) currently ranks 129th in rushing offense. Tennessee Tech (0-3) with an offense that hasn’t scored since week one. And Pitt (2-1) just lost to Western Michigan where they ran for 75 yards.
I think the Florida offensive line pushes the Vols around for more than 200 yards on the ground.
Quarterback play will be interesting too. Emory Jones looked much improved in the Gators 31-29 loss to top-ranked Alabama. There is still much work to be done, especially with regards to his timing and accuracy. Will we see Anthony Richardson?
In Knoxville, head coach Josh Heupel said the first two days of practice would determine just how healthy Joe Milton for the Florida game. I think that you’ll see both Milton and Virginia Tech graduate transfer Hendon Hooker this weekend.
The Tennessee offensive line is a little banged up, while Florida has a deep rotation on their defensive front. The Gators must clean-up the missed tackles. Containing Hooker and Milton will be a priority, as the UT quarterbacks account for 87 of the Vols 223 yards per game. A night game in “The Swamp”? Beautiful! Florida 42, Tennessee 17.
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Florida and Tennessee will kick off from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at 7:00 PM on Saturday. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
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