No. 8 Tennessee home for 1st game in a month hosting Florida trying to bounce back
Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson (6) breaks away for a big run against Arkansas during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
Florida (3-2, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) at No. 8 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1), Saturday, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN).
BetMGM College Football Odds: Tennessee by 15 1/2.
Series record: Florida leads 32-21.
The Tennessee Vols are back home for the first time in a month with fans ready to turn Neyland Stadium into an orange and white checkerboard. The Vols have to bounce back off last week's stunning loss at Arkansas and beat Florida for their looming showdown with No. 7 Alabama to have major significance or playoff implications. Florida is trying to get on a run after wins over Mississippi State and UCF with this an opportunity for the Gators to test themselves in the first of several games against ranked Southeastern Conference teams.
Key matchup
Florida DL vs. Tennessee OTs. Gator DE Tyreak Sapp has 2 1/2 sacks, and tackle George Gumbs, who transferred to Florida from Northern Illinois, has collected four himself. Tennessee LT Lance Heard and RT Jack Campbell struggled against Arkansas as the Vols gave up four sacks and several hurries.
Players to watch
Florida: WR Elijhah Badger. Arkansas threw for 297 yards against Tennessee, exposing vulnerabilities in the Vols’ secondary. If the Gators exploit those areas, Badger will be counted on to make something happen. He has caught 17 passes for 346 yards and two touchdowns this season.
Tennessee: RB Dylan Sampson. He has rushed for 12 touchdowns (2nd in FBS) and 589 yards (2nd in SEC, 14th in FBS) this season. When Sampson is running well, so does the Tennessee offense. The Gators struggled getting lined up against Mississippi State, which ran an up-tempo attack similar to Tennessee’s.
Arkansas fans rush the field to celebrate after Arkansas upsets Tennessee 19-14 during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, in Fayetteville, Ark. Credit: AP/Michael Woods
Facts & figures
This is the eighth time Tennessee fans have “checkered” Neyland Stadium. The Vols have won two straight such games. ... This is the first of four straight games at home for Tennessee over five weeks. ... This is the latest Tennessee has played its SEC home opener since Oct. 13, 1990. ... Tennessee is ranked No. 1 in FBS in third-down defense (allowing conversions on 22.1%). … Dating to last year’s Citrus Bowl win over Iowa, the Vols have held six straight opponents under 20 points. … Gator QBs Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway have combined for the No. 15 passer rating (167.3) in FBS. … Florida C Jake Slaughter grades out No. 1 in FBS in pass blocking (90.2). … Neither Slaughter nor Vols C Cooper Mays has yielded a sack this season.
