GAINESVILLE, FL (352today.com) – The Swamp is going to be electric Saturday with the Gators hosting Tennessee for their first SEC matchup of the season.
According to the Gators’ football program, the Florida-Tennessee rivalry goes way back and the Vols will be looking to get their first win in Gator country since 2003. But it won’t be easy – The Swamp is sold out for Saturday night’s game and thousands of fans will be there loudly supporting their team.
According to the NCAA rankings, Tennessee is currently ranked 11 and is undefeated this season with strong wins over Virginia and Austin Peay. Senior quarterback Joe Milton, who is from south Florida, has averaged 429 passing yards and four touchdowns since the start of the season.
Florida on the other hand holds a record of 1-1 but is coming off a huge win over McNeese State defeating them 49-7. Junior quarterback Graham Mertz surpasses Milton with 526 passing yards but has only two touchdowns.
Last season the Vols ended their five-game losing streak against the Gators winning 38-33. Now the question is, can Florida defend their territory and continue their two-decade winning streak at home?
In a press conference earlier this week, Gators head coach Billy Napier says his team isn’t strangers to how important securing a victory in a SEC game like this is, and what to expect from the Vols.
“These kids are educated… we’ve tried to do our part relative to educating them on the history of this game in particular…they know that the intensity, the speed, the physicality, the urgency, is going to be required to win a game like this,” said Napier.
According to Florida’s football program, Florida leads the all-time series 31-21. They’ve only allowed the Vols to beat them 5 times at home.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel thinks differently regarding the possibility of getting back-to-back wins against the Gators.
“I don’t think about that, our team doesn’t think about it, yesterday has nothing to do with today, this thing is solely about Saturday night,” said Heupel in a press conference Thursday.
However, Heupel did add that the type of environment and competition they are playing against with it being conference play is understood.
If you are planning to attend the highly anticipated game, you are encouraged to wear blue to cheer on the Gators. If you cannot make it, you can watch the game on ESPN. Kickoff it set for 7:00 p.m.