Florida at Tennessee: Five Things to Know

If you believe everything you read, then there is no reason to write this preview of the Tennessee-Florida game in Knoxville this weekend. According to Clay Travis of Fox Sports, Tennessee will not only win the game, but hang double digits on the Gators after a week off to prepare for their SEC rivals. It also gave the program a chance to settle down from the 42-21 loss to Alabama and the quarterback controversy that has arisen in Gainesville.

Wow, Will Muschamp and the quarterback are under scrutiny at Florida. Stop me if you have heard that before.

Despite a 2-1 record, this is a team in need of a high profile win, NOW, or the natives won’t be restless, they will swarm like bees over the Florida campus.

The Volunteers, despite a 35-32 loss to Georgia, appear to be on the uptick. Justin Worley’s injury may have been the only thing (and the legs of Todd Gurley) that prevented the Volunteers from winning last week in Athens.

Unlike in Florida, losses to Oklahoma and Georgia in consecutive weeks don’t see all that bad if the program is getting better.

The way I see it, this is a must win for both teams.

Here are five things to know about this game …

A LITTLE HISTORY LESSON

The Gators and Vols first met on the gridiron in 1916, and have competed in the same conference since Florida and UT joined the now-defunct Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association in 1910 and 1895, respectively. However, a true rivalry developed only during the last two decades due to infrequent match-ups previously; in the first seventy-six years (1916–91) of the series, the two teams met just twenty-one times.

In 1992, when the Southeastern Conference (SEC) expanded to twelve universities and split into two divisions, Florida and Tennessee were both placed in the SEC's Eastern Division, and have met annually on the football field since then. The rivalry quickly blossomed in intensity and importance, as both squads were perennial SEC and national championship contenders throughout the 1990s and early 2000s.

Of The 43 meetings, Florida holds a 24-19 lead overall.

A REASON FOR DOUBLE DIGITS

Mr. Travis makes his point very clear as to why Tennessee will win by 10 or more. Remember as well, these games aren’t usually close, with Florida winning the last nine contests.

Simply put, Florida is awful. Tennessee's not awful. Which, to be honest, makes this the best Tennessee team since 2008. The not awful team will beat the awful team. Plus, when a string of losses ends, often it doesn't end in a tight game. Remember when Tennessee crushed Alabama in 1995? That game was never close. The Vols won 41-14, ending a nine year losing streak, and embarking on a 10-2 run of domination in the series. I think the 2014 Florida game is a lot like the 1995 Alabama game for Tennessee fans. 

It’s a little skewed, but I like it.

EMMITT SMITH HATES JEFF DRISKEL

Ok, maybe hates is a strong word, but when the greatest running back in the history of the NFL and the greatest Gator player of all time (sorry Tim Tebow) calls out the quarterback and the Gators offense, you tend to stop and listen.

There is no doubt Gator Nation is not pleased with the performance of the redshirt-Junior and is clamoring for Treon Harris to get in the game and see what he can do. For everything Kurt Roper is in this scheme as offensive coordinator, he cannot teach mental psychology. The method to Driskel’s maddening performances is he cannot run, pass, and avoid pressure all at once. He has to be able to settle down. This was not just an issue with the Alabama game. H showed signs of it in the game against Kentucky as well.

I wonder what Muschamp was thinking when Jacoby Brissett lit FSU up last weekend?

STRENGTH IN THE PROGRAM

This is quickly becoming a strengthened Volunteers team. 

Second-year coach Butch Jones has brought an incredible amount of energy, and breathed a much-needed burst of life into the Tennessee program. This year he reeled in a class of 32 players – and that is after four straight losing seasons.

He’s also locked down the state of Tennessee in terms of talent, signing eight of the state’s top 10 players for 2014. His recruits come from 12 different states and Washington, DC. He can sell immediate playing time, and the program’s growth – evident in toppling nationally ranked South Carolina last season.

TENNESSEE WINS

I am not sure if Will Muschamp can sit down in his chair in his office after this one. Worley proves he is the most underrated passer in the country and the Volunteers deal Florida a huge blow with a loss.

SEC runs are cyclical as we all know, but this is the start of something good for the Volunteers.

The school that dealt Steve Spurrier his final loss as the head coach of the Gators in the Swamp. The rival for whom Casey Clausen directed “Rocky Top” after wins at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (something I still seethe over to this day). The program that robbed Florida and Dallas Baker of a win at Neyland Stadium in 2003 due to a botched penalty call.

There won’t be any controversy in this one. TENNESSEE 31 FLORIDA 20