For decades, the Tennessee Volunteers have struggled against the Florida Gators, seemingly unable to shake off the psychological hold the Gators have had on them. No matter who the Vols fielded, Florida often seemed to have the upper hand. The results speak for themselves—Tennessee has managed just two wins in Gainesville since the early 1970s and has lost 17 of the last 19 meetings since 2001.
However, early in the 2024 season, there’s a sense that this year could be different. Tennessee’s offense, which roared to life during their 69-3 thrashing of Chattanooga, looked more like the explosive unit that fans saw in 2022 rather than the inconsistent one from 2023. Quarterback Nico Iamaleava was electric, setting a school record with 314 passing yards in just the first half, demonstrating pinpoint accuracy and smart decision-making, even if it was against an FCS opponent.
In stark contrast, the Florida Gators stumbled out of the gate with a dismal 41-17 loss to the Miami Hurricanes, despite playing in the usually intimidating Swamp. Florida’s offense struggled mightily, aside from one big play in the running game, and their quarterback, Graham Mertz, faced relentless pressure, partly due to the efforts of former Vol Tyler Baron. Defensively, the Gators were equally lackluster, with a secondary that was torn apart and a pass rush that barely made a dent.
Given these performances, ESPN’s Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back during his Sunday morning recap with Matt Barrie. Finebaum was notably dismissive of Florida’s chances when they head to Knoxville later this season. He pointed out the mounting pressure on Gators head coach Billy Napier, especially if Florida continues to falter. “I think [Texas] A&M becomes the de facto season for [Napier] because if you start off losing two games you were supposed to win, and 6-6 or 7-5 was predicated on maybe losing only one game in the first half to Tennessee on the road, which they will, then it becomes desperate very quickly,” Finebaum stated.
Historically, it’s been tough to count Florida out against Tennessee, regardless of the circumstances. The Gators have long had the Vols’ number, but there’s a growing sense that 2024 might break the cycle. As the season progresses, the talent and coaching on the field could finally overcome those old demons and perceived historical advantages. With six weeks to go before the two teams meet, Tennessee appears to have a significant edge both on the field and on the sidelines. Combine that with the intimidating atmosphere of Neyland Stadium, and it’s easy to see why Finebaum is skeptical of the Gators’ chances.
Before that much-anticipated matchup, Tennessee will look to solidify their status as playoff contenders starting with their game against NC State on Saturday. Meanwhile, Florida will need to regroup and find some momentum if they hope to maintain their dominance in this long-standing rivalry next month.
