Tennessee may have to beat history to make history when the Vols host the Gators.
Before I tell you why, let’s look at the gory statistics of the Florida-Tennessee series. The Vols have lost six of the last seven to the Gators and 17 of the last 19 contests to Florida. That’s not good. In fact, it’s even worse than the 1990’s in which the Gators always seemed to have the Vols’ number under former Florida head coach Steve Spurrier, who went 8-4 against Tennessee as a Gator. Now, let’s get to the present.
Tennessee is a 14-point favorite to beat the Gators in Neyland Stadium on Saturday at 7 EST. This history of the series makes me think that number is a bit high. Also, there’s cause for concern that the Vols can’t even score 14 points based off of how they’ve played lately, but if oddsmakers are right, this one should be in the bag, right? It had better be.
I absolutely detest the term “must win” unless the season is over for the loser of a particular contest. However, I believe that far-too-often used term is apt in this case. Why? Because I don’t think Tennessee can make the College Football Playoffs with a loss to Florida, a loss to Arkansas and a 10-2 record, which would include wins against Alabama and Georgia. Those victories seem quite unlikely if the Vols drop two games to lessor foes, but let’s explore the scenario.
If there are a handful of SEC teams with a 10-2 record, then the Vols’ losses to the Razorbacks and Gators would loom large. Both teams already have two losses this season and, barring a major shake up, they both have more losses on the way. I’m well aware that we’re projecting here, but Arkansas and Florida look like 8-4 teams at best. After all, they still haven’t gotten to the meat of their SEC schedule.
Keep this in mind as well. Wins over Alabama and Georgia might not look as gleamingly awesome as they did in the preseason. Neither team has lived up to preseason expectations, as noted by Bama’s loss to Vanderbilt. Either – or both – teams could lose another game to an opponent what won’t be donning orange in upcoming matchups. That’s what makes the Florida game a “must win” as much as I despise that term.
I suppose there is a scenario in which the Vols could lose to Florida then find magic in Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel’s playbook and beat every other team by “fiddy” for the remainder of the season, but that seems as likely as Pilot giving away free gas.
The Florida game also carries a different sort of weight than when we first examined the matchup in the preseason. If Tennessee is coming off of two losses and potentially headed into a third before the Alabama game, there will be no recruiting momentum, which has already waned a bit.
Here are some prospects scheduled to be in town this weekend to keep an eye on as the Vols try to hold down the No. 7 class in the country…
For more on this story as well as insider info, access and interaction with the Off The Hook staff and great prizes, join Hooker’s Corner. Join now before we start spilling into the streets. Weekly prizes and monthly grand prizes are constantly shipping out. Also, thoughts on topics that YOU would like to see covered, send a message to Dave and the gang.
