Title: Tennessee Looks to End Two-Decade Drought Against Florida at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
Subtitle: Florida seeks to secure a signature victory early in coach Billy Napier’s second season
Date: September 16, 2023
The Tennessee Volunteers will face off against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday in a highly anticipated SEC East matchup. Tennessee aims to end their two-decade-long losing streak at the Gators’ home turf, while Florida is eager to extend their home winning streak and secure a signature victory under second-year coach Billy Napier.
Last season, Tennessee managed to break their five-game losing streak against Florida with a win at Neyland Stadium. However, the Volunteers have not emerged victorious on the road against the Gators since 2003. This year, they are determined to make history and continue their recent success against their SEC rivals.
Meanwhile, the Gators are looking to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 season debut under new head coach Billy Napier. Florida got back on track with a convincing 49-7 victory over McNeese State in Week 2, but their season-opening loss against Utah still lingers in their minds. A win against a formidable opponent like Tennessee would help shape the narrative around the Gators as they enter conference play.
Both teams enter this crucial matchup with offensive questions. Tennessee’s veteran quarterback, Joe Milton, has taken over the position after star quarterback Hendon Hooker’s departure. However, Milton has yet to showcase the passing touch that made Hooker a standout player. Florida, on the other hand, has their own quarterback questions surrounding Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz. Mertz has shown more success throwing downfield, but he will need to prove his abilities against tough SEC opponents.
The potential return of the starting centers for both teams could be a significant boost. Florida’s Kingsley Eguakun and Tennessee’s Cooper Mays, who have missed the first two games due to injuries, are expected to practice this week. Their presence on the field would provide much-needed stability for their respective offensive lines.
Adding to the intrigue, Tennessee recently held a players-only meeting following their lackluster performance against Austin Peay. Senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas noted that these meetings are called when players feel something is amiss within the team. The Vols’ close call against an in-state FCS opponent raised concerns, and the players used the meeting as an opportunity to regroup and address the issues.
Looking ahead to the game, last year’s matchup between Tennessee and Florida witnessed a high-scoring affair with a combined 71 points and nearly 1,200 yards of offense. However, both teams have experienced downgrades at the quarterback position since then, leading to offensive uncertainties. Tennessee’s downfield passing game is a work in progress, while Florida aims to improve their running game after a lackluster performance against Utah.
With both teams still finding their offensive rhythm, it is anticipated that the punters will play a more prominent role this year. Betting on the under 59 points might be a safe choice for this particular matchup.
Fans can catch the Tennessee vs. Florida game at 7 pm ET on ESPN or stream it live on fubo (free trial available). This game is expected to have a significant impact on the SEC East standings and set the tone for both teams’ seasons.