Game Info
Time: 3:30 p.m. at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
TV: WVLT (CBS)
Radio: WIVK-FM 107.7, WNML-AM 990/FM 99.0, WNRX-FM 99.3 (Vol Network)
Line: Florida by 30
Gametime forecast: Partly cloudy, 88 degrees. Isolated thunderstorms
AP Featured Game
AP Top 25 College Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Lane Kiffin has called it an opportunity and a big-time matchup.
He’s kept his attention on the personnel and praised Florida at nearly every turn.
The Tennessee coach has talked all week about keeping his team focused only on the No. 1 team in the country heading into Saturday’s trip to The Swamp (TV: CBS, 3:30 p.m.). But like it or not, none of those things have made anybody forget all the other comments he’s made about the Gators (2-0), and it’s put him and the Vols squarely in their crosshairs and raised the stakes in the SEC opener for both.
“I don’t think it would really be because of something being said,” Kiffin said. “I think that, No. 1, it’s because of the rivalry, such great tradition with Florida-Tennessee. And also I’m sure getting two kids (Marsalis Teague and Nu’Keese Richardson) switching right before Signing Day like they did, two players I’m sure they were very high coming to an archrival.
“I think it’s going to be in their interest to play as well as they can and score as many points as they can, not because Urban (Meyer) is doing it to me, but because I would think it’s a competitive advantage in recruiting.”
Kiffin’s first meeting with Meyer doesn’t figure to be as much about the future as the past though, and the Florida coach has proven to have a long memory and a desire to make people pay for slights.
That reputation isn’t lost on the Vols (1-1), who fully expect Meyer to pull everything out of his playbook from trick plays to fake punts to run the score up — and keep Kiffin from “singing Rocky Top all night long.”
“He did say some things that were probably out of line to a lot of people, but from our standpoint we felt like he had our back,” UT safety Eric Berry said. “Just seeing how we didn’t have a head coach and we didn’t know if people still even liked Tennessee at all, he was just coming in saying all these things, positive things about us. A lot of people felt like he was saying it in a negative way, but we just felt like he had our backs.
“That made us work that much harder going forward. I really don’t look at it as him putting a bulls-eye on us. I just look at it as him really having confidence in us and just showing us he had our backs.”
Count Berry among the players who wouldn’t have tried to light a match around the explosive Gators so quickly after arriving in Knoxville, but that doesn’t mean the Vols haven’t rallied around Kiffin and his comments.
If the intent really was to show the team he inherited that he believed in them, it seems to have worked. And UT has returned the favor by getting Kiffin’s back as well.
“We were really in a situation where we were just like, ‘Nobody likes Tennessee right now,’ before he said those comments and he wasn’t here yet,” Berry said. “It probably doesn’t make sense to a lot of people, but in my eyes it looks like he just wanted to tell us he had our back, wherever or whoever we played, whatever we had to face he was going to ride with us to the end.”
That trip isn’t always going to be smooth, and the confidence Kiffin has exuded since Day One hasn’t exactly made the Vols more popular.
But that could change quickly today if UT can clear the checks he wrote.
“I don’t know how it could be more intense,” Kiffin said. “You’ve got a big-time rivalry with two teams, one that every year both teams come to play. Florida has dominated, obviously, lately with four in a row, Urban’s never lost to Tennessee and 63 points combined (margin of victory) over the last two years.
“There’s been motivation over there, and I don’t think I motivated them. I wasn’t here yet.”
He is now, and the Gators have been waiting.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
Softball: Tennessee 2, Georgia 1
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 138
golfballs03 writes:
GO VOLS!
Gators0608 writes:
It is time for kiffy boy to cash the check;oh! it came back with N.S.F. stamped all over it.
GOBIGO72 writes:
Because T-Boner wills it, so shall it be according to the media.......enough is enough - strap it on - here's breaking news - we're just as pissed as u are - "I'm you're Huckleberry" - count on it.
GC23Vol writes:
For the Vols to even keep this game close the defense needs to play incredible and get some turnovers. I think if Berry wants to be a serious contender for the heisman he needs to make some plays against the best team in the nation and the best quarterback in the nation on one of the biggest stages in the nation. Crompton doesn't have to have an amazing game but he needs to be able to make the right decisions and not throw interceptions.
If you compare this Florida team to last year, it actually seems weaker. They have the exact same defense but yet lost a few playmakers on offense. Not to say that Florida is the least bit bad but I think that they are beatable. The vols have the POTENTIAL to do that, but it is unlikely. But I do expect Florida to slip up somewhere this season. I'll be waiting and watching. Our time will come for us to be on top once again. GO VOLS!
halloffamebowler writes:
Kiffin wont be singing Rockey Top.He will ,however,be singing "I never felt more like singing the blues."
xd9x19 writes:
Gonna be a beat down by the Gators. I don't think I'll even watch....I haven't watched a game this season yet....who would have thunk the Vols would have sunk so low that I would willingly miss games....
vol_in_bigten_land writes:
Vols 20 fla 17.
GC23Vol writes:
That shows how loyal you really are to tennessee..Thats pretty pitiful
Ah oh well, Im sure your one of those fans who sit on their butt all day in the stadium and not scream once, with the occasional clap.
So go on and join the bandwagon of some other team..we don't want you.
vol_in_bigten_land writes:
Miami is looking better and florida want win the NC this year not even the sec east. Meyer is paid ungodly amount to go to his dream job after this year. Tennessee will be back on top of the SEC. Book that!
JoeVols writes:
Tennessee 34
Florida 30
Start singing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cldvols1 writes:
Wow, I like the fact that so many closet Gayders are reading all our articles! Personally I wouldn't even waste my time reading 2 sentences about UF, especially on THEIR website. Wait a minute I figured it out, you guys are narcs for Oscar Meyer and whoever gets the most info on the Vols gets to give him a beejay. Classic Gayter fans!
volnbig11land writes:
Maybe, but we'll still be your sorry @$$ (25 in a row) kittykat.
volnbig11land writes:
WD, I've been meaning to ask you all week, what did the Fulmer's do last week after the game? You've made a couple of comments but living in suckeye land, I have no idea what happened.
p.s. thanks for a voice of sanity and some laughs!
volnbig11land writes:
uf better win by 30 or more points, otherwise they and espn will be devasted!
p.s. I don't think that will happen.
Give_Him_6_Holloway writes:
Our first team can play with their first team. Can our young talent step up when it counts and provide the backup we need to keep it close and give us a chance to win?
The difference we need to see this year vs. the past 4 is no stupid mental mistakes and don't be careless with the ball in the red zone. Neyland's Maxims are important this weekend, more than ever.
It's time.
Oenoboy writes:
Et Tu Austin?
Don't you think you think the hundreds of articles all written about this exact subject were enough. How about providing your readers with something of significance that is not just another regurgitation of what we've all read over, and over, and over, and over...again.
I cannot wait until this game is finally over with so we can read about football as opposed to the overly hyped soap opera drama between coaches.
JoeVols writes:
Tebow probably had something to do with this...
fronix5000 writes:
Lets go men. JoeVols prediction is close...I'm going with Tenn 27, UF 24.
Vol86 writes:
Hey schoolboys. Look at the recruits comming. I say Kiff has plan. so stfu. This will all play out, as long as Kiff is able to do his job.
VolunteerLifer writes:
Aw, did the oh so sensitive little gators get their little feelings hurt by mean ole Kiffin?
Well, we Volunteers know how you feel. we feel the same way about little stevie superior. And we won't ever forget him, his mouth, and his association with florida. Not this year, and not the next. We will build our program and beat you at least once for every one of his trashy arrogant offenses.
Given your past association with l'il stevie wonder, no gator has any place to complain about trash talk by any coach, much less Kiffin.
So shut up, whiner.
F*** the florida gators!!!!! F*** Urban Meyer!!!! F*** stevie superior!!!
Smash their mouths and bloody their noses!!!
GO VOLUNTEERS!!!!
CRFVols writes:
I'm gonna start right now!
Wish that I was on ole' Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills.
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear the other half cat
Wild as a mink but sweet as soda pop
I still dream about that.
Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top (WHOOO) Rocky Top Tennessee
Rocky Top Tennessee
Once two strangers climbed old Rocky Top
Looking for a moonshine still
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top
Reckon they never will.
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top
Ground's too rocky by far
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top
Get their corn from a jar.
Rocky Top you'll always be
Home sweet home to me
Good ole Rocky Top (WHOOO) Rocky Top Tennessee
Rocky Top Tennessee
I've had years of cramped up city life
Trapped like a duck in a pen
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again.
ROCKY TOP YOU'LL ALWAYS BE
HOME SWEET HOME TO MEEEEEE
GOOD OLE' ROCKY TOP (WHOOOOO!) ROCKY TOP TENNESSEE
ROCKY TOP TENNESSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
volatil writes:
Give me a V !!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
GC23Vol writes:
V!
volatil writes:
give me a o !!!!!!!!!!
VolunteerLifer writes:
To all florida fans everywhere:
As supporters of steve spurrier when he was your coach, you have no standing whatsoever to complain about any trash talk by ANY coach. It's bad enough that such behavior makes you incredible hypocrites, but it also makes you just like spurrier - insufferable, arrogant jerks.
F*** FLORIDA!!! F*** THE FLORIDA GATORS!!!! F*** THE FANS OF THE FLORIDA GATORS!!!!
GO VOLUNTEERS!!!!!
ntndrm writes:
Lol thats gold truth is the UT fan base will be upset with their misplaced faith in Kiffin
CRFVols writes:
Congratulations, now go find a UF blog to bs on before I tell your mom.
TXVol14 writes:
Last time i checked, our recruiting class for next year is ranked #3 on scout and #4 on rivals, while florida's is #9 on scout and #8 on rivals.
So yes, maybe florida might win this year with they're dominating depth at almost every position, but once Tebow leaves, it will be the end of the Florida era of success.
And by the way we're recruiting, we'll steal more of florida's "commits", and make florida's future even worse.
Rocky Top's on the rise, Florida is at there peak and are slowly treading down hill after this season.
Myer will realize this after Tebow leaves, and will take the Notre Dame job before Kiffin is able to whip Florida on a consistent basis
tdforvols writes:
Man this "war of the words" is making me weary. Let's suit em' up and start knocken' some slobber!
midtnfan writes:
You have been drinking the kool-aid. where is that island you have been on the last 3 years?
volatil writes:
Kiffins words are something that could live forever; he had your back in the summer guys, have his tomorrow!!!!!!!!!
UT- 17
Fla.-10
beef4davols writes:
I wonder how these "writers" and "expert commentators" are going to handle it if they actually have to break down a good game.---"Going into the 4th it's UF 17 UT 13...here's a clip of Lane Kiffin's introduction as head coach 9 months ago."
TommyJack writes:
Well said
VOL03_NC writes:
UF!!
Look out, VOLS have overdraft protection!!
GO VOLS!!
midtnfan writes:
keep telling yourself that. I think you are starting to believe it.
volatil writes:
I can picture it now; Nukeese circling the swamp with a massive power T flag in hand alla Haynesworth, while gator fan burns down Gainesville. Meanwhile we're laughing our arses off, and of course singing GOOD OLE ROCKY TOP ALL NIGHT LONG YOU BUNCH OF AHOLES!
midtnfan writes:
You're so funny. Wake up dude, you're dreaming.
46VOL writes:
I remember going into Miami one year when they were ranked very high and beating them. Vols 17 Gators 13
46VOL writes:
If we can survive until the fourth quarter then, all bets are off! UT believes. Gators fear. And CLK goes in for the Kill. It has happened before. Then these Gator fans would shut that mouth.
OLEVOLFAN writes:
Once ole meyer climbed ole rocky top looking for tebows drawers. turned around and saw coach kiffin I reckon it will be war. GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!! UT-10 UF-7
Down_The_Field writes:
i'll be playing it on my banjo tonight and tomorrow, brother.
Down_The_Field writes:
gimmee an L!!!!!!
OLEVOLFAN writes:
gimmee an E
flafan2001 writes:
UF is taking over this site tomorrow after we hang half a hundred on the Crypt Keeper's defense. Poor Eric Berry- never got to taste victory against the Gators.
No whining after the game tomorrow.
OLEVOLFAN writes:
half a hundred what a joke get a life you fla mor&^^&^N
Down_The_Field writes:
you ain't got enough fans troll.
ben, hill, joe, tom, griffen, parker stadium is an out house compared the the south biggest stadium and largest fan following.
flafan2001 writes:
Gators are going to embarrass you on National TV tomorrow. HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
pammyvol1000 writes:
Ok..everybody thinks were going to get beat down by 50+. I think we will show up to play!! It will be closer than you think!
Down_The_Field writes:
btw - poor eric berry will be making millions this time next year while dweebo will be running an underpanty screan art shop on daytona beach.
flafan2001 writes:
Now TN fans are talking about a Moral Victory. I Love it!
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