The Gators and Vols last played at Neyland Stadium in 2022. (Photo: Maddie Washburn/UAA Communications)
Game Day: Florida at No. 8 Tennessee (Saturday, 7 pm)
Saturday, October 12, 2024 | Football, Chris Harry
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KNOXVILLE, Fla. – It only took one wild and crazy day of college football (more specifically, two outcomes that turned final mere minutes apart last Saturday) to alter the narrative of this Saturday's night's Southeastern Conference showdown between a pair of bitter rivals.
Admit it, Gator fans. You're a little more interested, maybe a tad more vested, and (dare we say) perhaps a smidge more hopeful relative to expectations after Florida had little trouble dispatching of UCF. Meanwhile, Tennessee fans were (still are, probably) beside themselves over the fourth-ranked Volunteers going to Arkansas and getting Hog-tied by an opponent that had not defeated a top-five opponent in 17 years.
Or don't admit it. The external goings-on won't make a difference anyway, but there's probably some truth to the fact that the Gators (3-2, 1-1) feel a little better about themselves and their direction right now, while the Volunteers (4-1, 1-1), with their SEC title and College Football Playoff ambitions having taken a hit, will be a lot more on edge and feeling a lot more pressure when the two meet Saturday night at sold-out Neyland Stadium.
Not to mention, Florida's mastery in this series, which is always a maddening source of irritation in Rocky Top.
[Read senior writer Scott Carters' comprehensive 'Opening Kickoff' preview here]
Still, UF was hardly dominant last time out. The Gators played arguably their best half of the season in taking a three-touchdown lead against a Knights squad that came in with the nation's fourth-ranked offense and second-ranked rushing attack and was limited to just 134 yards through two quarters. Florida, though, didn't score in the second half, choosing instead to sit on the lead, and ride its defense to a 24-13 victory. The Knights, who averaged 543.3 yards per game coming in (including 326.0 on the ground), left with just 273 yards and a measly 108 rushing.
On the college football Richter scale, the UT loss was far more seismic than the Gators' win. Heading to Fayetteville, the Vols had put up more than 700 yards in two of their four games and had road wins at North Carolina State and Oklahoma. They were averaging 565.75 yards per game, including 256 on the ground, and giving up just 176.0 on defense.
But the Razorbacks, with losses against both ranked teams they'd faced this season, held UT to a season-low in yards (332) and points in handing the Vols a 19-14 defeat without forcing a turnover.
The Volunteers got goal-posted after their loss last week at Arkansas, which had not defeated a top-five team in 17 years.
Now come the Gators, who have been in the Vols' collective heads for going on two decades, what with 17 wins in the previous 19 meetings. But this Tennessee team, at least on paper, enjoys overwhelming advantages on both sides of the ball (the Vols are 15½-point favorites) the likes of which they've not in a very long time.
UT, with NIL trailblazer quarterback Nico Iamaleava (66.7 percent, 1,048 yards, 7 TD, 2 INT) at the helm, boast the nation's No. 5 offense (510.0 yards per game), as well the No. 1 rushing (267.2) and scoring (46.0 points per) attack in the SEC. Tailback Dylan Sampson has rushed for 589 yards and 12 touchdowns. Florida will counter with a defense that played its best game of the season against UCF, but still sits at 96th overall nationally (395.0 yards per game), which is next-to-last in the conference.
Offensively, the Gators will stick to their platooning quarterback system, with sixth-year Graham Mertz (77.2 percent, 666 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT) starting and freshman DJ Lagway (69.1 percent, 667 yards, 4 TD, 3 INT) getting every third series. Senior Montrell Johnson Jr. (288 yards, 4 TD) at tailback and wideout Elijhah Badger (17 receptions, 346 yards, 2 TD) have been Florida's biggest playmakers on that side of the ball.
The numbers, for what they're worth, are what they are. That was the case last week, also.
Wonder what they'll be a week from now?
And what the narrative will be?
The Gators have sung the alma mater through smiles the last two games.
Coverage starts at 7 p.m. on ESPN, with the crew of Bob Wischusen on play-by-play, Louis Riddick providing analysis and Kris Budden on the sidelines. The Gators Sports Network from Learfield broadcast will air with pregame coverage beginning at 4 p.m. and eventually give way to Sean Kelley and Shane Matthews in the booth, with Tate Casey reporting from the field. For GSN stations, click here.
The game will be re-aired Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. and again Wednesday at 5 a.m., both on SEC Network.
Finally, follow senior writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete post-game coverage from the game late Saturday night and follow-up content Sunday, also.
