Tennessee football returns home for a rivalry matchup against Florida following its first loss of the season a week ago at Arkansas. The Gators have had the upper hand in the rivalry this century but Tennessee is sizable favorites as they look for its second win in the series in the last three meetings.
Each week, the RTI team will provide game predictions for Tennessee’s matchup.
More From RTI: Game Line Moving In Florida’s Direction Ahead Of Kickoff Against Tennessee
Ric Butler
As someone close to me sent this week, “[Florida] felt like it was always the season-defining game. Pretty clear how the season would go based off that game… Somehow, UF still seems like the barometer that’ll define the season.”
Well said.
We’re going to find out more about Tennessee in this one week than we did for the first three games of the season against Chatt, NC State, and Kent State. Tennessee has a chance to bounce back this week but it’s the ever-elusive Gators that stand in their way.
Florida’s offense has been ultra-efficient in the passing game lately even with a two-quarterback system featuring Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway. They’ve been able to protect the ball, keep it moving with completions, and get the ball to playmakers with relative ease. Tennessee gave up too many explosive plays against Arkansas which hurt at times, and while Willie Martinez did sound eager to correct those mistakes this week at practice, I still see that passing game matchup as one of the most important in this game from a Tennessee perspective.
Best way to help a young quarterback after a stinker? Give him a run game. Dylan Sampson has been terrific for Tennessee this season and DeSean Bishop has proven to be a nice backup/change of pace to Sampson’s workload. Florida looked pretty good against the run against UCF but Tennessee has to capitalize on the strength of their offense.
Give me Tennessee’s defense to give enough room for a Volunteers win as the offense looks better than it did against the Razorbacks.
Prediction: Tennessee 30, Florida 24
Jack Foster
Tennessee is reeling coming off a disappointing loss in Arkansas. I did not think Tennessee’s offense would have lows similar to 2023 this season, but here we are. The tackle spot is a major issue, the receivers aren’t great, and Nico Iamaleava isn’t there yet in terms of carrying an offense by himself.
The good news for the Tennessee offense is that they have Dylan Sampson, who is really, really good. And Florida’s run defense is really, really bad.
The matchup sets up well for the Vols given what they do well. If Tennessee plays to its strength offensively, I expect a solid game. Anything the passing offense does will be gravy. With how dominant Tennessee’s defense is, I think the Vols could run the ball every down and win this game.
Florida’s offense won’t be completely shut down, but my opinion of the Tennessee defense is the same as it was last week. Arkansas made good plays and the Hogs’ 19 points don’t have me worried about Tim Banks’ unit moving forward.
This might be an ugly, non-exciting game, but it is one Tennessee will win as long as the Vols play to their strengths.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Florida 14
Ryan Schumpert
Tennessee fans have pretty of angst when it comes to the Florida game, even when the Vols are two-touchdown favorites at home. That’s magnified by the fact that Tennessee turned in a pitiful offensive performance last week and suffered an upset loss against Arkansas.
That’s why I think it’s important for Tennessee’s offense to start fast in this game. I think it would relive a lot of anxious energy in the stadium and help make it a raucous environment from the front. It would also provide a boost of confidence to an offense that needs it. The good safety blanket is that Florida’s run defense has been very shaky to date this season. I think the floor for Tennessee’s offensive performance is decently high in this game because of that fact. The key is for them to hit some plays in the passing game. If they can do that, then things will really open up for the offense.
On the other side, Tennessee’s defensive line should be able to overwhelm a Florida offensive line that’s been shaky this season and has a starter who is questionable. What does worry me for Tennessee is that Graham Mertz and Florida has a solid short passing game, particularly against zone coverage. We’ve seen those types of passing attacks give Tennessee issues in recent seasons by dinking and dumping the ball down the field while holding up the pass rush. I’m curious to see if Tennessee plays more man coverage to challenge those shorter passes.
Still, Tennessee’s defense has been great this season and I don’t see that changing much in this game and at home I’m betting on the Vols’ offense playing better. Tennessee gets a much needed rivalry win.
Prediction: Tennessee 30, Florida 17
