Last season, the Tennessee Volunteers finally broke their five-game losing streak against the Florida Gators with a victory at Neyland Stadium. Now, as the No. 11 ranked team in the nation, the Vols are looking to end two decades of misery at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium by securing consecutive wins against their SEC East rival. The last time Tennessee beat the Gators on the road was in 2003, so Florida will be eager to extend their home winning streak in the series and make a statement early in coach Billy Napier’s second season.
After a disappointing season opener with a loss at Utah, Florida bounced back in Week 2 with a convincing win over FCS opponent McNeese State. However, they still carry the memory of that loss and are determined to establish their identity and improve upon their 5-7 debut season under coach Napier. Beating a division rival like Tennessee, who is coming off a strong 11-win season in 2021, would significantly change the narrative surrounding the Gators as they enter conference play.
The Volunteers started their season with a dominant win over Virginia but followed it up with a lackluster victory over Austin Peay that raised concerns about the team’s regression since losing star quarterback Hendon Hooker. Although veteran quarterback Joe Milton has taken over the position in coach Josh Heupel’s high-scoring offense, he has yet to demonstrate the same passing abilities that made Hooker a star for the Vols.
If you want to watch the Tennessee vs. Florida game live, it will take place on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 7 p.m. ET at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. The game will be televised on ESPN, and you can also stream it live on fuboTV.
When it comes to the offensive strategies of both teams, there are some questions to address. Tennessee’s Milton has struggled with downfield passing this season, completing just 2 of 11 throws that traveled more than 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. In contrast, Florida’s Graham Mertz, who joined the team as a transfer from Wisconsin, has had more success with downfield throws, completing 7 of 12 in that range. However, in the loss to Utah, Florida had difficulties running the ball, and Mertz alone may not be enough to secure victories against strong SEC opponents.
Both Tennessee and Florida may have their starting centers back for this game after dealing with injuries in the first two games. The return of Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun and Tennessee’s Cooper Mays would provide a significant boost to their respective teams’ offensive line.
Interestingly, Tennessee held a players-only meeting after their underwhelming performance against Austin Peay, a sign that something needed to be addressed. Senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas mentioned that these meetings are held when the team senses issues arising or players lacking motivation. With a narrow 13-6 lead at halftime against Austin Peay, the Vols needed a touchdown in the fourth quarter to finally secure a win. Their performance, including conceding more first downs and committing 10 penalties in the game, left much to be desired.
When it comes to predicting the outcome of this game, it’s difficult to say. Last season’s matchup between these two teams resulted in a high-scoring game with a combined total of 71 points. However, both teams have undergone changes at the quarterback position and have offensive questions to address. Tennessee’s passing game is still a work in progress, and Florida needs to improve its running game. With these factors in mind, it’s possible that the punters may see more action this year.
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