For the first time since 2006, the afternoon sun won't cast shadows over the annual showdown between Tennessee and Florida.
Bumped by CBS from its normal 3:30 p.m. time slot in favor of a matchup between Alabama and Arkansas on Sept. 15, the Vols will host the Gators at Neyland Stadium with kickoff at 6 p.m. on ESPN.
The network announced broadcast times for 33 early-season SEC games Monday, including two UT matchups.
UT's home opener against Georgia State on Sept. 8 is scheduled for 4 p.m. The game will be shown on pay-per-view.
According to Tennessee sports information director Jimmy Stanton, the 4 p.m. kickoff time against Georgia State was UT's decision, not that of the SEC. Stanton said the Vols chose the time "out of respect for those fans who are traveling."
Tennessee's game against Florida will be shown on ESPN for the first time since 1994 and not aired on CBS for the first time since 1995, when the No. 4 Gators notched a memorable 62-37 win in Gainesville on ABC.
The Vols have lost seven straight to Florida.
UT opens its season against North Carolina State at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta on Aug. 31 at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU.
Among the game times announced Monday were the SEC baptisms of newcomers Missouri and Texas A&M. The Aggies will host Florida on Sept. 8 at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN, while the Tigers welcome Georgia to Columbia the same day at 7:45 p.m. on ESPN2.
Brendan F. Quinn cover Tennessee men's basketball. Follow him at http://twitter.com/BFQuinn
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Comments » 137
Razor784 writes:
This is not all about UT, Florida is down right now too.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
CBS has been a jinx for UT especially in this series (not to take anything away from FU) but, I have much fonder memories of night games on the hill..Works for me & HBTV!!!
888657 writes:
Who cares? This way I don't have to hear Vern Lundquist. GO VOLS!
mdvol writes:
VOLS hang 40 on the Gators.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say Gators are down and really nobody cares about them Witch Doctor guess we will have to make the series relevant again..Ah the good ole days when Tebow and Meyers story-lines of love and lust gone out the window with their departures. Witch Doctor say Mush"champs face not "TV" friendly. Hehe
Bones never lie.
Vol_Believer writes:
At least we don't have to listen to Vern talk about his love affair with Tebow all afternoon !
chuckfromwoodberry writes:
Here's to the new guys winning their respective SEC openers and giving the Vols a leg up in the East race.
DeltaCharlie3 writes:
Lopsided series. Of course CBS has had enough. One team is on the verge of 8 straight.
Move along, not surprising at all, nothing to see here.
RaineyVol writes:
Because CBS said this rivalry sucks now... no more Phil or Spurrier
DCHess writes:
We have the losing streak against them. Why is the pressure on UF to make this series relevant?
Ichabod writes:
>>Stanton said the Vols chose the time "out of respect for those fans who are traveling."<<
Ha,Ha ...good one, Stanton!!
Since when ???
UTAD is still in post Hammy 'HDTV is to blame' mode. Whatta joke
DCHess writes:
Exactly. We have Dooley and Silly Willy.
VolinCalif writes:
Yep. Too bad for CBS. They are going to miss the chance to show the first breakout game of a great comeback.
Vols 35 Foo-U-Too 21
lomas98 writes:
With 2 new teams in the conference, the schedule reshuffling, the west division top teams, and Tennessee being down, this may not be the only time this season they are trumped by a better game on CBS. Only way to remedy that is take care of business against nc state and Florida and become more attractive to the network. With only 4 wins against Florida since 95 on CBS, we need a change up of some sort.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
DC, your luck just ran out..
UT = 45
FU = 17
MetroplexMojo writes:
This should be no shock.....
Arky and Bama were top 5 teams last year.
UF and UT were bad teams last year
At least the night game gives me more drinking time before the game. UT 30 UF 28
Bigger_Al writes:
I think you're right, Witchy. The good thing is that we can bet on how many blood vessels Mushchomp will bust crying about flags thrown on his DB's as they hold every play.
Rumblefish writes:
UF has a ton to prove....so does UT. BAMA/Ark is based upon the preseason rankings.
Tenn was perrenially in the top 25 from 1985-2008. It's about time we get back there, and back to the primetime television spots. And for those of you who think 6pm on ESPN is "primetime"....think again.
FanNotSheep writes:
Peaks and valleys and normal cycles. No team can be at the top forever. UT had a great run from the Sugar Bowl win over Miami (with a few hiccups along the way) until the mid-2000's -- and the Gators were great under Spurrier. The SEC is no place for rebuilding programs and it takes time to get it back on track. I think 2012 is a hugely critical season for both these programs.
My prediction is that UT will get 9 wins and beat the Gators. I think Florida will probably win 7 or 8 games. If the Vols get some breaks they could win the East. But that won't get them past Alabama or LSU.
Dooley haters won't pull for this outcome but if you want Tennessee to be relevant in the next five years you need to hope this year is a success.
CrankE writes:
+1
My first thought precisely.
iowavol writes:
Uh, Wilbur, is that you?
bigorange991 writes:
Amen.... Vern Lundquist is 10 years past his prime, not that he was ever very good at his craft. We don't need no stinkin' CBS!
Rumblefish writes:
What a bunch of sour grapes coming from the folks saying "we don't need CBS" and "this is florida's fault". Get real. UT has been down, and it's all about the rankings. There are media markets outside of Gainesville and Knoxville. Wake up and quit fooling yourselves.
Rumblefish writes:
Hey dipspit....LaTech is in N. Louisiana...not S. Louisiana. If you're gonna talk smack...get it right.
jamgod writes:
Why are you even on this site gatorf@g? Oh I know, cause your preparing to jump ship because that joke team of yours is about to become irrelevent and it is going to be hilarious when it happens. I am curious after the teeth have been pulled if you still will run your mouth on this site??
Harrit writes:
" No. 4 Gators notched a memorable 62-37 win in Gainesville on ABC. "
To my recollection, there is nothing memorable about losing to the Gators, and getting 60 something hung on the score board. 09/15/2012 will be a day to remember for all Vols faithful. And all those with ESPN will enjoy one to really remember!
Rumblefish writes:
wow. you're boring. what a great comeback.
DCHess writes:
I'm not Wilbur. Would you please answer my question?
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say its all about ratings and Mush"champ dont have the face for ratings just like Weis. Witch Doctor say thanks Gators for ruining our series!! Witch Doctor say ugly fat people dont make ratings! Witch Doctor say after we hang 21 on you this year we will be on TBS or some other God forgotten station till you step up. Thanks Gaters Maters! lol.
Bones never lie.
VolGrad writes:
He said WE will have to make the series relevant again, not UF.
Go Vols!!!
Rumblefish writes:
witch,
tennessee has been irrelevant long before the gators have been. appreciate your support...but it's just not the case. i hate them as much as anyone...but you can't deny their good teams as of late vs our mediocre ones.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor hear the hottest selling jersey in Gainesville is Tyler Brays. Witch Doctor say they are the ficklest fans in the world!! Witch Doctor say the rest are Miami or State fans now. Witch Doctor say Gators? guess they'll be rolling up the bleachers like the basketball games. shameful SEC "fans" hehe
Bones never lie.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say they used to be a girls school but that was the past. Witch Doctor say "Gators?" who? Witch Doctor say no one really remembers who they "were". Witch Doctor say they talk about the past like old men. (hehe)
Bones never lie.
Rumblefish writes:
and.....they wear jorts.
orange_eVOLution writes:
I LOVE playing the Gators at home AT NIGHT. LOVE IT! We own their butts this year.
GO VOLS!!
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say EVEN Spurrier left them....he is a smart man.
Bones never lie.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
You nailed that post, WD..I lived in South FL for 17 yrs and during that time Miami,FSU and FU took turns being the favorite school of the month club. Who ever wins gets all the attention and if the dolphins ever win again, college fb will be an after thought in the state of FL.
frblalack writes:
Barring an injury to one of our key players, Vols will stomp the Gators!
Prime time awaits! As previously pointed out, Muschamp's facial expressions & persistent yelling and whining even to his own players are downright comical! I would wager any amount Coach Dooley is here long after the Muschamp has been fired!
All Vols - We're on the brink of GREATNESS! Believe in the Big Orange!
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say the "joke" is..EVERY Gator fan roots for the ACC just in case. Witch Doctor say they Cowboy fans when the win the superbowl. Witch Doctor say they NY Yankee fans when the Marlins lose. Witch Doctor say now Mush"champ has gained 30 pounds they Miami/FSU fans.....sad.
Bones never lie.
Rumblefish writes:
are they cutoffs or carpenters?
Rumblefish writes:
yet, you couldn't name him nor his number in your post here. i'm sure you'll go look it up and reply with it later.
nice fail. so weak.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say Florida fans root for Fulmer cause of the way they owned him. Witch Doctor say Tyler Bray is the new "Jesus" in Florida. Witch Doctor say they need a new Hero as Gainesville is empty with only the "Buffet" king , Mush"champ is disenchanting. Witch Doctor say they love Bray! Youre welcome!!
Bones never lie.
thevoice writes:
Thanks for holding up your end of the bargain, Dooley. See you on ESPNU.
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
Do you wear jorts with that tucky jersey tied in a knot?? You know, Lamar style from "Revenge of the Nerds"..
arkyvol writes:
until we get a head coach, i gotta feeling there's gonna be a lot more of these 'firsts'.
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say Gator the most popular team in San Francisco! Witch Doctor say they wear mascara with the eye blackouts ...i.e. see Percy Harvin! hahaha
Bones never lie.
Rumblefish writes:
well, you just said it was the best selling jersey in florida. oh wait....was that you trying to be clever?? oh my........
ROCKYTOPBRAD writes:
This just shows how far florida has fallen off the map.... GO VOLS
BIVOLAR_BEARE writes:
That's hilarious..I can see Muskrat drag-queened out in Key West strolling down the strip..
Witch_Doctors writes:
Witch Doctor say ESPN called them the "Florida Maters!!" hahahah
Bones never lie.
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