Florida vs Tennessee Prediction, Game Preview, and Betting Lines
By Pete Fiutak,
2 days ago
It was the SEC opener last season, and it might have been the biggest moment in the Billy Napier era at Florida.
The Gators shut down Tennessee in a 29-16 win, and that was about it for the fun in a 5-7 season. Coming off wins over Mississippi State and UCF, there’s a chance to keep changing the narrative with a big win in Knoxville.
However, after this comes a world of uh-oh with a dangerous date with Kentucky, then Georgia, then at Texas, then LSU, then at Ole Miss.
The Vols were shocked by Arkansas last week in a 19-14 loss, but five of the next six games are at home. Alabama is up next, but this should be a strong run around a road game at Georgia.
First, they need to get their revenge for last year.
Sep 16, 2023; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators running back Montrell Johnson Jr. (2) runs the ball past Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Wesley Walker (13) in for a touchdown against the Tennessee Volunteers during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Florida vs Tennessee How to Watch Date: Saturday, October 12, 2024 Game Time: 7:00 pm ET Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN How to Watch: ESPN Tennessee (4-1), Florida (3-2)
Maybe, just maybe, Florida isn’t totally miserable and it just so happens that Miami and Texas A&M - the two teams it lost to - are just that good.
And maybe, just maybe, Tennessee isn’t this unstoppable juggernaut, and it just so happens that NC State and Oklahoma - the two good teams it beat - aren’t all that great.
The defense isn’t all that great, but the passing game continues to be accurate and efficient. When the running game gets moving a bit, good things happen.
The Gators should average at least four yards per carry, and they need to control the clock and the tempo throughout. What did Arkansas do that was so right in its win over the Vols? It had the ball for 35:29 and generated pressure on Nico Iamaleava. But …
Why Tennessee Will Win
Even though the Gators have been okay in pass protection, Tennessee - No. 1 in the nation in third down conversions - has the pass rush to be a bother all game long.
It came up with two sacks against the Hogs, and it should disrupt a Florida attack that only holds the ball for 26:49 a game.
Overall the Tennessee offense slowed down against OU and Arkansas, but the pop is still there, the running game will keep pounding away, and even though the team goes fast, it should make Florida play its style.
Florida vs Tennessee: Who Will Win
It won’t be the dominant performance of last year, but Florida will be dangerous enough to keep this alive for a while. The defense, though, won’t be strong enough to hold up.
Don’t be shocked when the Gators rolls up over 400 yards and make Tennessee push a bit, but one big Vol scoring surge will take over in the second half.
The Tennessee lines will win the battles in the third quarter to finally breathe a little easier.
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