Tennessee Football: What a Win over Florida Gators Would Mean for Volunteers
The checkerboard stadium has been announced, all the seats have been sold and the only thing we're waiting on is confirmation that the Tennessee Volunteers will not be wearing these hideous things: It's Florida week. The annual rivalry game against the Gators is of even greater importance this year because of what a win would mean for the rest of the season.
Florida isn't quite what it has been in previous years. After a stellar 11-2 season in 2012 that culminated in a head-scratching Sugar Bowl loss, the Gators followed it up with an even more puzzling 4-8 campaign last year. Now through three games, Florida has cancelled a game, destroyed a mid-major, nearly lost to Kentucky and halfway competed at Alabama. It's tough to get a read.
Meanwhile, Tennessee is on a clear trajectory upward. After two wins over quality, albeit lesser opponents, the Volunteers competed well at No. 4 Oklahoma and took No. 12 Georgia to the very last play in Athens. There's talent, there's energy and there's belief in the future of the program.
What would the future of the program look like with a win on October 4?
1st Bowl Trip Since 2010
1 of 5
Is it too early to be talking bowl games? Probably so. But I'm easily bored by the copious amounts of lukewarm sports radio out there that says things like: "Tennessee may win this game. But it may lose it too. We'll just have to see.
Make a statement—the kind of statement the Volunteers could make Saturday.
A win would mean Tennessee needs a mere two wins over its last six games (assuming a win over UT-Chattanooga on homecoming) to make its first bowl game since the chaotic Music City Bowl in 2010.
The benefits of a postseason game are as practical as more practice time. It gives programs a chance to impress young recruits on a national stage.
Huge Recruiting Weekend
2 of 5
There are tons of commits and prospects visiting Knoxville this weekend. As part of a crowd numbering 102,455, a win over Florida could yield a number of high-profile recruits to call Tennessee their college home.
Take a look at the full list of visitors here.
With such committed studs as Kahlil McKenzie, Jack Jones and Preston Williams coming to visit and work on their fellow high schoolers, a little help from the scoreboard might do just the trick.
Perhaps the path to a 2017 SEC Championship could be laid this weekend.
3rd October Win in 5 Years
3 of 5
October tends to be an important month in college football filled with season-deciding conference games. Unfortunately, the Vols only have two wins in five years during the calendar's 10th month, and one of those was against the University at Buffalo.
I started using the term "O for October" to signify the typical number of wins the Big Orange get. In fact, the last time Tennessee won two games in the month of October was in 2009 with Lane Kiffin.
Needless to say, a win over Florida would mean a great start to October and a virtual guarantee to a two-win month.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Opens Door for 5-2 Record Entering Alabama
4 of 5
Let's have a little fun, shall we?
If the Vols win this weekend then you have to assume they beat UT-Chattanooga. At 4-2, Tennessee would be looking pretty nice and would likely be filled with more confidence and rolling with more momentum than it is now.
A trip to Oxford would become a huge game because it could take Tennessee to 5-2. Based on the fact that the Vols would be 4-2 entering the game and that Ole Miss could be coming off two straight losses, let's call it a big win.
The Volunteers would be entering the Alabama game with a 5-2 record and likely be ranked in the top 25 for the first time since 2012. At that point, Alabama would've come off a schedule of Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M.
Who knows what could happen? It starts with a Florida win.
End the Streak
5 of 5
It has been nine long, excruciating years since Tennessee has beaten Florida. There have been Arian Foster fumbles, Tim Tebow jump balls and more speedy Gator punt returns than I can count. And it's time for it all to end.
With such a feeble head in Will Muschamp facing off against an unquestioned leader in Butch Jones, the checkmark for coaching goes to the Volunteers. Momentum and confidence also lean heavily in Tennessee's favor. The game is in Knoxville, and the Big Orange's talent is better than it has been in years.
Unlike the 2012 match visited by College GameDay, the Volunteers have had not one, but two serious opponents already. Tennessee is battle-tested and ready to end this streak.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
