Florida will look to extend its winning streak over Tennessee to nine games this weekend as the Gators and Volunteers square off in Gainesville. The last time the Gators fell to their SEC rivals was in 2004.
How to watch Tennessee vs. Florida 2013: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
The Gators and Vols look to bounce back in an SEC showdown this weekend.
Brad Barr-USA TODAY Sports
With both schools coming off a loss in their most recent games, the stakes will be high on Saturday afternoon. Tennessee was blown out by Oregon, while Florida fell to Miami two weeks ago. With the SEC East looking wide open right now, starting conference play off with a win would be big for both programs.
On paper, Florida should win with relative ease. It’ll be playing at home and will have an extra week to prepare for the game, while Tennessee will be traveling for the second week in a row. Anything can happen in rivalry games, though, and the Gators have certainly show signs of vulnerability through the first few games of the season.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Florida enters the week ranked No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 18 in the Coaches’ Poll. Another loss would drop the Gators to not only below .500 on the season, but also out of the polls. Tennessee probably wouldn’t crack the top 25 with a win, though it would be a big step in the right direction for Butch Jones’ bunch.
Vegas: The Gators opened as 14.5-point favorites, according to OddsShark. The over/under is set at 47.5 points.
Weather: It’ll be a hot and humid afternoon in Gainesville with temperatures expected to be in the low-90s. There is also a chance of thunderstorms.
Three names to know
Jeff Driskel: Driskel turned the ball over far too much against Miami, but that hasn't stopped him from throwing for 444 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games of the season. When he plays well, the Gators will be tough to beat.
Justin Worley: Tennessee's starting quarterback has played well this season, throwing for 372 yards and five touchdowns thus far. Worley isn't going to put up huge numbers with how well the Vols run the ball, but he's more than capable of making a few plays happen with his arm.
Mack Brown: Florida's leading rusher hasn't been given a ton of opportunities yet this season, averaging just 17.5 carries per game, but that hasn't stopped him from going for 141 yards and two scores. At 5'11 and 215 pounds, Brown is a physical rusher who breaks through arm tackles with ease.
Two things at stake
First and foremost, bragging rights are always on the line when these two schools meet. Their loyal fan bases do not like each other at all, and after losing eight years in a row, Vols fans would like to do nothing more than sing “Rocky Top” on Saturday night after a win. And as previously mentioned, this is the first SEC game for both schools. Starting off with a loss would be tough, while a win puts them in the driver’s seat early in the season.
How to witness
TV: CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET. Verne Lundquist and Gary Danielson will be in the booth.
Radio: The Gator IMG Radio Network will have the game across Florida, with WRUF 850-AM serving as the flagship station. In Knoxville, WNML 990-AM/FM 99.1 has the coverage. Full radio listings for the Vols are here.
Online streaming: Fans can watch the game live through CBSSports.com.
Further reading
For more on the Gators, be sure to check out Alligator Army. Head over to Rocky Top Talk for the latest Vols news. For all things SEC-related, visit Team Speed Kills.
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