This week’s Football Flashback centers around the 2000 game between the Vols and the Gators.
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“Come 3:30 on Saturday it’s about that action”.
The No. 19 Florida Gators (3-0) will arrive in Knoxville holding an 11-game winning streak against No. 14 Tennessee (3-0).
Each of the last two seasons, Florida has come from behind in the fourth quarter to beat Tennessee by a single point.
Back in 2004, “Lord of the Rings Return of the King” won the Oscar for Best Picture, Usher’s “Yeah!” topped the charts, Facebook was launched and that was also the past year Tennessee beat Florida.
Since Jones took over in 2013, Tennessee is 3-13 against ranked opponents.
When I watch football, I generally don’t focus on the wide receivers or the quarterbacks; I love to watch the lines.
“We’ve just been motivated to really hold ourselves to a higher standard and just show everybody across the nation that we’re not coming to play any amusing games”, Florida linebacker Jarrad Davis said.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to go and execute with my brothers and play at a high level”, Appleby said.
Finally, on Monday, Hall returned to the practice field. You don’t win nine straight by not having confidence.
Understanding the one-sided dominance of the Southeastern Conference rivalry between Florida and Tennessee requires a numerical exhibit.
Tennessee cornerback Justin Martin and receiver Josh Smith should play Saturday after missing the OH game with ankle injuries. “We are going to need some youngsters, who play sparingly, to step up and embrace their role and do their job because the expectations on our special teams will not change no matter who is on the field”.
Tennessee will be without senior cornerback/kick returner Cam Sutton (fractured ankle) and junior middle linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr.
Just for good measure, the football Gods suspended the QB who rallied Florida to the win a year ago (Will Grier) and injured his capable replacement (Luke Del Rio) last week.
And with a backup quarterback in graduate transfer Austin Appleby making his first UF start in a hostile Neyland Stadium – which has a maximum capacity of 102,455 – the defense will be looked upon to guide Florida to its 12th consecutive victory in the rivalry and stop a Tennessee offense that pushed Florida to the brink in last year’s 28-27 victory. Appleby had a huge problem protecting the ball at Purdue throwing an astronomical number of interceptions with the boilermakers.
Tennessee’s defensive line – led by Derek Barnett, Corey Vereen, Danny O’Brien – will try to make Appleby’s introduction to the SEC miserable. I’m just not a guy getting caught up in that stuff.
Coach Butch Jones has elevated Tennessee’s run game the past two seasons.
Florida is allowing the fewest points (4.7) and yards (129.7) per game of any Football Bowl Subdivision team. I mean after Florida’s five 4th down, 4th quarter conversions to complete the 28-27 comeback win past year, it’s Tennessee’s turn. Jalen Hurd has rushed for 270 yards and 2 touchdowns, while Josh Dobbs has rushed for 161 yards and 3 touchdowns for the Volunteers.
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“Playing Dobbs, this guy is as good as there is”. But previous year also showed us DeBord and the Vols can be creative and force an elite defense to account for multiple options. This team can blue-collar with the best of them. They’ve got to play a lot better. Ducks don’t pull trucks. Tennessee has been the popular choice to win the East all summer long but has looked a little lackluster in their first three games.
