Final season, Tennessee defeated Florida at Neyland Stadium to snap a five-game shedding streak vs. the Gators. On Saturday, the No. 11 Volunteers will try to finish 20 years of distress at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium as they search for consecutive victories vs. their SEC East rival. The Vols final beat the Gators on the street in 2003, and UF might be keen to increase its dwelling profitable streak going within the collection and safe what can be a signature victory early in coach Billy Napier’s second season.
Florida obtained again on monitor in Week 2 with a 49-7 win over FCS foe McNeese State, however the reminiscence of a 24-11 season-opening loss at Utah continues to be contemporary because the Gators attempt to set up their id following a 5-7 debut marketing campaign for Napier. Beating a division rival like Tennessee, which is coming off its first 11-win season since 2001, would change the narrative surrounding the Gators as convention play begins.
The Volunteers started the season with a straightforward 49-13 win over Virginia, however they adopted up with an unpleasant 30-13 victory over Austin Peay that raised purple flags over whether or not this system is regressing amid the lack of star quarterback Hendon Hooker. Veteran signal-caller Joe Milton has taken over the place inside third-year coach Josh Heupel’s high-flying offense however has but to reveal the passing contact that made Hooker a star for the Volunteers.
Comply with together with LIVE updates from The Swamp as Tennessee takes on Florida
Find out how to watch Tennessee vs. Florida stay
Date: Saturday, Sept. 16 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium — Gainesville, Florida
TV: ESPN | Stay stream: fubo (Attempt without spending a dime)
Florida vs. Tennessee: Have to know
Offensive questions: Milton is simply 2 of 11 this season on passes which have traveled greater than 15 yards previous the road of scrimmage, in accordance with TruMedia. Of his 42 completions, 28 have come at or behind the road of scrimmage. If the Vols are going to hit their stride offensively, they need to make opponents respect their downfield passing recreation. Florida additionally has quarterback questions of its personal as Wisconsin switch Graham Mertz enters his third begin with this system following 4 seasons with the Badgers. He is been extra profitable than Milton throwing downfield, finishing 7 of 12 throws greater than 15 yards previous the road of scrimmage by two video games. However, within the loss to Utah, Florida struggled to run the soccer, and Mertz is not a world-beating playmaker who can single-handedly lead the Gators to victories over high quality SEC foes.
Facilities may play: Each groups navigated their first two video games with out their beginning facilities, who’ve been out because of damage. Each may very well be again this week, although, as Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun and Tennessee’s Cooper Mays had been each anticipated to apply this week. Neither coach has revealed whether or not their middle will play, however the presence of both on the sphere would represent a big enhance. Eguakun, in his fifth 12 months with this system, began 26 video games at middle over the previous two seasons for the Gators. Mays has logged 21 begins at middle for the Vols for the previous two years and earned a spot on the 2023 preseason All-SEC third staff.
Gamers-only assembly: Usually, when phrase leaks out from any staff a couple of players-only assembly, it is a signal that issues aren’t going properly. Tennessee had such a gathering after its underwhelming efficiency towards Austin Peay. Senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas said the Vols maintain players-only conferences “every time we really feel like that it is one thing developing otherwise you may see guys simply form of falling off or missing a little bit bit.” There should have been lots to debate contemplating the Vols led Austin Peay simply 13-6 at halftime final week earlier than utilizing a landing halfway by the fourth quarter to lastly acquire separation on their in-state FCS opponent. Austin Peay edged the Vols 19-17 in first downs through the matchup, whereas Tennessee dedicated 10 penalties within the recreation.
Florida vs. Tennessee prediction, picks
Odds by way of SportsLine consensus
These groups mixed for 71 factors final season because the Volunteers squeaked out a 38-33 victory in a recreation that featured almost 1,200 yards of offense. However each groups have downgraded at quarterback since then and have inquiries to reply offensively. Tennessee’s vital downfield passing recreation is a piece in progress, and Florida should show that it may well run the soccer higher than it did throughout a Week 1 loss at Utah. With neither unit near peak offensive capability, the punters ought to keep busier this 12 months. Decide: Beneath 59
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