Florida-Tennessee: Gators Look to Swamp Vols for Fourth Win

There are those faithful Volunteers fans who will say that Tennessee will shock the world once again this weekend. There are those who feel that Florida is all talk and little action. There are those who would love nothing more than to see the Gators taken down a peg or two this weekend.

But should the Volunteers be worried about Florida instead? Absolutely.

Tennessee will tell you that anything can happen when the big chips are on the line—but even they can't believe what has happened the past few games. Dating all the way back to the SEC Championship Game against LSU, Tennessee has been outclassed and outmatched.

If they could play UAB every weekend, they might have a chance to win big this season. Unfortunately, they still have the militia of SEC powerhouses to deal with this season.

Georgia will have their hands full this weekend against a motivated Arizona State team, while LSU will face an even more determined Auburn football team. Top that game off with the marquee annual showdown between the Vols and Gators, and you got yourself a weekend filled with surprises. But Tennessee doesn't look as dangerous as usual.

Then again, how would they feel knowing that the team that beat them in overtime two weeks ago got blown out by Mountain West dynamo BYU last weekend?

That doesn't work well for their strength of schedule—but it does work well for Florida.

The Gators had several questions to answer entering this season, including if they can get back to that dominance they had two years ago. In two games, they have shown that they're ready to get back into the BCS Championship Game.

With the addition of Emmanuel Moody (thanks, USC) and the return of Percy Harvin, Florida has managed to decimate Hawaii and stun Miami. It's obvious that the "Funslinger" known as Superman is beyond ready to make history once more. But now he has enough weapons in the arsenal to make things happen either on the ground or in the air.

Even though Tim Tebow has been the leader on offense, it was the defense that helped the Gators secure the win against "The U." The defense has only given up 390 yards of total offense and 13 points in two games this season. The secondary has improved vastly by allowing only 260 yards in those two games.

The offense has the same kinks as all the Top 10 teams, but like those other teams, those kinks are turning into motivational tools.

Depending on the outcome of Georgia-Arizona State, Florida looks to remain in the top five after this weekend and could move up another notch if there are any significant upsets.

Don't get me wrong: I have a lot of respect for Tennessee and the program that Phillip Fulmer has brought to the main stage. You can't despise a conference foe that does their part in bringing a National Championship to the conference.

But like sands in an hourglass, and GW's reign of terror in the White House, time is running out for Tennessee. This could be the last chance for Fulmer's Vols to get a win over the mighty Gators before Fulmer possibly departs Tennessee.

But this year, he won't get the win that they so desperately need. Tim Tebow will do his part to win this game for Florida, and the defense will carry the workload as the Gators should improve their chances of reclaiming their SEC throne heading into their showdown with LSU.

Tennessee will have to find a way to regroup with both Georgia and Auburn coming up in the next few weeks.

So should Tennessee be worried about Florida? No.

They should be terrified. Be very, very terrified. And be prepared to be snapped in your backyard by a dangerous Gators team.

Final Score: Gators 52, Volunteers 27