It’s no stretch to think Jonathan Wade and Dallas Baker could play a major role Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.

Florida’s leading receiver vs. Tennessee’s senior cornerback. It’s a natural.

Oh, wait. They’ve been there, done that.

Two years ago when the Vols pulled out a 30-28 victory over the Gators here, neither Wade nor Baker had acquired marquee status.

Wade was a converted receiver making his first start on defense. Baker was emerging in Florida’s rotation, hardly the go-to guy.

Wade’s signature contribution that night wasn’t a touchdown-saving tackle. It was shoving Baker after the whistle.

"I’m pretty sure he still remembers that,’’ Wade said this week.

How could he not?

When Baker got back to Gainesville he found a sarcastic "Thanks Baker" painted on the campus free-speech equivalent of "The Rock" at UT.

Thanks for the 15-yard penalty Baker received when he retaliated against Wade. Thanks for blowing the game.

In the final minutes, Florida was eating the clock after James Wilhoit missed an extra point that left it 28-27, Gators.

A third-and-3 run was stuffed, but Florida could further drain the clock before punting. UT had no timeouts.

Whoa! A flag fluttered far downfield. Stop the clock.

"Time winding down, not knowing what’s going on, us just getting into it,’’ Wade recalled with a smile.

"Just kind of messing around because we were real far away from the play.’’

Messing around. Wade shoved Baker. Baker retaliated with a helmet slap.

The official, who appeared to be staring at the entire drama, threw a flag on Baker for unsportsmanlike conduct. Wade’s shove was ignored.

"It had nothing to do with what was going on,’’ Wade said. "We’re 20 yards downfield messing around and it ended up costing him.’’

It cost Florida 15 yards. Worse, after the penalty was stepped off, the clock failed to start on the official’s ready signal as it should have.

It didn’t start until Florida snapped the ball to punt.

The Vols took over at their 39 with 43 seconds left.

Had Wade also been flagged, the offsetting penalties and a correct clock start might have given the Vols the ball around their 25 with 30 or fewer seconds.

At any rate, Erik Ainge completed two passes and spiked the ball with 13 seconds left. Wilhoit lined up the game-winning 50-yard field goal. Baker left the field with goat horns.

The Baker-Wade reunion last year in Gainesville was understated. Baker caught three balls; Wade hardly played.

"That was the first time we actually ever spoke,’’ Wade said.

"He ran across the field (after the game) and he just looked at me and laughed. We laughed about it and started talking about the game.’’

Saturday night, here’s betting Baker and/or Wade influence the outcome without a silly penalty.

Baker has 13 receptions in Florida’s first two games. Senior quarterback Chris Leak appears to be on top of his game and will be looking for a 6-foot-3 target.

Wade is a stalwart in a secondary rallying to overcome the loss of Inky Johnson. In short, Wade needs to own his side of the field.

The early returns on UT’s defense have been confusing, to say the least.

The Vols dominated California. A week later, they appeared clueless to solve Air Force’s flexbone assault.

Now, the mighty Gators.

On one hand, there’s no subterfuge to Florida’s attack. Speed and skill will be UT’s adversaries, not hidden-ball tricks.

However, unlike Cal, the Gators won’t be intimidated by Neyland Stadium or by Tennessee’s athleticism.

The Vols must deliver something on the order of their Cal performance, not the one against Air Force.

"We’re going to find out the real Tennessee defense,’’ said Wade. "What time’s the game start Saturday?’’

Eight.

"We’re going to find out the real Tennessee defense at eight o’clock.’’

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strange2@knews.com.