Game Week: Florida

Though it technically was not Florida week until after a 55-10 blowout win over Western Carolina, the annual SEC East rivalry has been on the mind of Tennessee fans, and most likely the players, ever since a disappointing loss to Oklahoma in week two.

Last season’s edition of this game resulted in a heartbreaking loss for the Tennessee program, as the Gators lengthened their winning streak over the Vols to double digits in a 10-9 comeback win.

This rivalry is not quite what it once was due to the one-sided nature and the recent setbacks that both programs have recently encountered (see Derek Dooley, Will Muschamp), but the result of this one will still have a major impact on how the SEC East standings look at the end of the season.

Here’s a look at the 2015 edition of the Vols and Gators showdown:

Tennessee Volunteers at Florida Gators

Game Information

Kickoff: Saturday at 3:30 PM EST

TV: CBS

Line: Florida by 3

Florida Gators (3-0)

Head Coach: Jim McElwain (1st season)

Offensive Coordinator: Doug Nussmeier

Defensive Coordinator: Geoff Collins

2015 Season

- Quarterback competition between redshirt freshman Will Grier and sophomore Treon Harris ran into season, Grier played all of last week win over Kentucky

- Have not been ranked yet this season

Florida players to watch:

Will Grier, quarterback

Grier wasn’t extremely impressive in the win over Kentucky, passing for 125 yards and completing 13 of 22 passes with one interception.

But Grier was only part of the issue for a Gator offense that mustered just 245 yards against a Kentucky defense that allowed 479 to Louisiana-Lafayette.

Grier’s chemistry with the rest of his offense will certainly improve over the course of the season, but if the same Tennessee defense that played against Oklahoma shows up on Saturday in Gainesville, Grier and Florida could be in for a long afternoon.

Vernon Hargreaves III, cornerback

When Florida beat Tennessee for the tenth consecutive time last season, Hargreaves made a play that had a large impact on the outcome.

After Vols linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin intercepted a pass on the first play of the second half for Tennessee, the Vols were in business at the Gators’ 13-yard line, and seemingly close to their first touchdown of the day.

But on the very next play, Hargreaves made an interception in the end zone to give the ball right back to Florida.

Hargreaves has shown multiple times that he has the talent to change a game in one play, like he did last season in this game.

Even with opponents throwing away from him, Hargreaves already has two interceptions this season.

With the slow start that the Vol wide receivers have had to this season, Hargreaves could make it hard for them to get going again on Saturday.

#tennessee #florida