You remember when Tennessee-Florida was a big deal every year in Southeastern Conference football?
Like, when it decided who was going to win the SEC East Division?
I do. A lot of people do.
But it’s getting harder and harder, because the time away is getting longer, and longer.
The Volunteers, ranked number 11 in the nation, are coming to Gainesville on Saturday night for a nationally-televised (I know it’s outdated, but I just like the sound of it) showdown against their old rival, the unranked Florida Gators.
And that just seems wrong.
But Florida fans, give coach Billy Napier time. The cupboard wasn’t exactly full when he took over.
The Associated Press has a pretty nice preview here (No. 11 Tennessee heads to the Swamp focused on getting an elusive road win against Florida (msn.com) by Mark Long, and who knows? Maybe something will happen. Maybe the Georgia Bulldogs will stub their collective toes somewhere along the way.
Maybe they can be upset. Maybe they’ll lose to South Carolina. Maybe they’ll slip up somewhere.
Maybe.
But today, right now, let’s renew this rivalry. For the ol’ ball coach’s sake. For Peyton’s sake.
Here’s Andy Staples’ take on the game (Tennessee Vols DESPERATE for a Win in the Swamp | Florida Defensive Plan | Stakes for Billy Napier – YouTube).
Let’s play Vols-Gators, boys.
