SEC Game of the Week – #18 Florida Gators vs. #23 Tennessee Volunteers

We have a great SEC rivalry on Saturday evening between the Florida Gators and the Tennessee Volunteers.  The Gators have given the Vols fits in the past and Tennessee will be looking to break out of this pattern.  America’s Bookie has Tennessee as a 3 point favorite at home and the total has been set at 48.

I didn’t even realize as I was beginning to write this that Florida has beaten Tennessee in their last 7 meetings.  The Volunteers are ranked this year for the first time in 4 years so we might see a different outcome this season.  Tennessee QB Tyler Bray has completed over 73% of his passes in the first 2 contests for 643 yards and 6 touchdowns.  He hasn’t thrown a pick so far.  This will definitely be the toughest test the Vols have faced in this young season, but the Gators are not so formidable as in seasons past.

Florida certainly looked lackluster in their opening win over Bowling Green.  They played better last week taking over the game in the second half for a 20-17 win over Texas A&M.  Great second half effort for Mike Gillislee who rushed for 83 yards and 2 TD’s.  The defense looked a lot better also shutting down the Aggies attack.  It’s too early to tell with just 2 games under their belts but the Gator D looks better than their offense.

So it is going to be an interesting matchup between this high powered passing attack of the Vols against the Gator’s D.  I’m leaning towards Tennessee -3 but my pick of the game is under 48.  These defenses are good enough not to let the opposition run wild and I see this as a physical contest and something like Tennessee 24 -Florida 17.  Good luck and it should be a good SEC brawl!