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The last time Florida and No.6 Tennessee met in December was in 2001, when the Volunteers beat the Gators in a 34-32 thriller that decided the winner of the SEC East. Back then, the rivalry was almost always a hotly contested affair with major implications for the conference and the national title almost every season. Now, as the Vols and Gators gear up for yet another showdown in December, national and conference title implications remain at stake, but only for Florida.
This once formidable annual showdown has lost its luster amid Tennessee’s long descent into mediocrity. Florida have won 14 of the last 15 games in the series, and the Gators are aiming for the SEC championship game and a potential college football playoff spot. Tennessee was once a rival, but this season it looks like the Vols are just another opponent of the Gators’ march to a postseason of opportunity.
A thwarted victory over the Gators would help save third-year coach Jeremy Pruitt’s ill-fated season. But beating Florida will require a level of defensive mastery the Volunteers have yet to show in a five-game losing streak that has called into question the direction of the program under Pruitt.
Storylines
Florida: Gators quarterback Kyle Trask and tight end Kyle Pitts continued to dominate the SEC last week when Pitts returned after missing two games and catching three touchdown passes in a 34-10 win over Kentucky. . Without the time he ran out, Pitts would likely be a Heisman Trophy contender, but his quarterback is. He threw 2,810 yards, 34 touchdowns and just three interceptions while completing 71.4% of his passes this season. Everything is bracing for a potential Florida-Alabama showdown in the SEC Championship game against another candidate for Heisman, Alabama, quarterback Mac Jones. But Trask can continue to build his case before that by leading the Gators to a comfortable victory with another prolific passing effort on Saturday.
Tennessee: Pruitt on Tuesday sacked Kivon Bennett, the Tennessee tackle leader for loss and sacks, after being arrested on gun and drug charges. It was just the latest in a series of frustrating twists and turns for a season that started with promises. The volunteers started the year 2-0, extending their winning streak to eight games overall. But the program’s momentum fell off a cliff after the Volunteers rose to 14th and took a halftime lead in Georgia. Tennessee ended up losing that game 44-21 and lost five consecutive games in total. Redshirt’s senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has been a major source of frustration for the fanbase due to his inaccuracy and costly turnover. Three substitutes have also seen some action in the post this season, so it will be interesting to see how Pruitt handles his quarterbacks against the Gators.
Information display
Dated: Saturday December 5 | Time, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Neyland Stadium – Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: CBS | Direct: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports app (free)
THE: CBS Sports app (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, Chromecast)
Prediction from Florida to Tennessee, choice
Tennessee’s ability to run the ball suggests they might be able to generate some offense against a Florida defense that isn’t necessarily elite. But nothing else indicates that the volunteers will keep it competitive. Florida’s offense is just too explosive and should provide enough cover for their defense to give up a few touchdowns without the volunteers covering that spread. Pick: Florida (-17.5)
What college football picks can you confidently make in week 14? Visit SportsLine to see which teams will win and cover the spread – all from a proven computer model that has grossed over $ 3,500 in profit over the past four seasons and more – and find out.
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