Why there's more pressure on Florida than Tennessee for important 2023 showdown in The Swamp
The Tennessee Vols' matchup against the Florida Gators in Gainesville in 2023 has been described plenty this offseason as the most important game on UT's schedule. Sure, they're all important — especially since the Vols have very publicly stated that they hope to win the SEC East this fall — but the game against Florida […]
The Tennessee Vols' matchup against the Florida Gators in Gainesville in 2023 has been described plenty this offseason as the most important game on UT's schedule.
Sure, they're all important — especially since the Vols have very publicly stated that they hope to win the SEC East this fall — but the game against Florida is considered an important milestone in Tennessee's quest to return to greatness.
The Vols haven't won in the Swamp since 2003. They've come close a couple of times, but heartbreak (2015 and 2017, specifically) has taken the place of celebrations for Tennessee when they make their trip to Gainesville every other year.
Florida is in a transition period under Billy Napier. As a result, the Vols are expected to be heavy favorites on September 16 when the two programs meet at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
This is a game that Tennessee should win. And if they don't, it will be the second time since last November that Vols fans have felt extreme disappointment during the Josh Heupel era (the first being the loss to South Carolina last fall).
For those reasons, you can certainly sense the pressure that's on Tennessee to beat the Gators next month.
On the other side of the sideline, however, Florida will be facing even more pressure to win.
For the last 20 years, the Gators have dominated the rivalry between Tennessee and Florida — especially when it comes to winning in Gainesville.
Even through some rough times, the Gators have still managed to own the Vols.
Florida's had four coaches since the end of the Urban Meyer era — Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen, and Billy Napier. None of them have been able to return Florida to glory. But all of them, except for Napier (who just finished his first season at UF), have been fired by the Gators while holding a winning record against Tennessee.
If Florida drops this game to the Vols, it will be the first time they've lost two in a row to Tennessee since 2003/2004. And it will also force Florida to confront the reality that Tennessee is passing them in the SEC.
Florida hasn't been great since Meyer left in 2010. But they've been able to tread water in part because of their dominance against the Vols.
If the Gators get off to a tough start and also lose to Tennessee, it could put Napier on the hot seat entering the second half of the season. And if Florida is forced to fire Napier and start from square one while the Vols are on a roll, it could send the Gators on a journey into the wilderness — much like Tennessee before Heupel's arrival.
Tennessee has a future defensive superstar on its roster and he’ll soon be a household name
The Tennessee Vols have a future defensive superstar on their roster and he’ll soon be a household name
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel
