Why one matchup on Tennessee Vols' schedule in 2023 is a 'must-win' more than any other game
If you ask Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel, he'll tell you that every game is a "must-win game". And that should be his approach. But from a fan and media standpoint, we all know that some games mean a little more than others. If the Vols lose at home to Georgia next season, it'll […]
If you ask Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel, he'll tell you that every game is a "must-win game".
And that should be his approach.
But from a fan and media standpoint, we all know that some games mean a little more than others.
If the Vols lose at home to Georgia next season, it'll be incredibly disappointing. But it won't be a loss that sets the program back. The same goes for the Alabama game in Tuscaloosa in 2023. If Tennessee doesn't win that game, no one is going to suddenly start questioning if the Vols are still moving in the right direction.
There's one game, however, that Tennessee can't afford to lose next season.
I'm talking about the Florida game in Gainesville.
We all know that UT struggled almost the entire decade before Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville. What some people tend to forget, though, is that Florida also struggled during that time. Their struggles just weren't quite as noticeable as the Vols' missteps.
Florida is on their fourth head coach since Urban Meyer stepped down after the 2010 season.
Tennessee's misfortunes have overshadowed Florida's somewhat down decade.
But the Vols have a chance to flip the script in 2023.
And a win over the Gators in the Swamp — a place where Tennessee hasn't won since 2003 — would certainly be a good start.
One reason why this game in 2023 is so pivotal is because Florida is in a bad spot right now — specifically when it comes to recruiting.
Whether it's right or wrong doesn't matter — the Jaden Rashada NIL debacle (he's not getting paid the money he was promised) is a terrible look for the Gators.
Now, we don't know all the details. We do know, however, that Florida head coach Billy Napier isn't at fault. He's not the one working out NIL deals — that's on the collectives. But the particulars of what's happening in Gainesville don't really matter. All that matters is that the perception right now is that if a recruit is promised money at Florida, there's no guarantee they're going to get paid.
And that's recruiting ammo for every rival program and collective in the nation.
One way that Florida can help combat the negative press is to go out and have a great 2023 season, which would include beating the Vols.
Tennessee can't let that happen. This is their opportunity to put some distance between themselves and the Gators.
The Vols' goal is to win the SEC every year. Beating Florida — even after expansion because the Gators will likely remain a permanent opponent — is key to that goal.
Tennessee of course wants to win every game they play. They want to beat Alabama in back-to-back years, they want to get revenge on South Carolina, and they want to end their six-game losing streak to Georgia.
It's the game against Florida, though, that's the most important game on Tennessee's schedule next season. If the Vols beat the Gators in the Swamp for the first time in 20 years, it'll mean Napier has to shoulder being the guy whose program didn't pay an elite recruit and he'll also be the first Florida coach since Ron Zook to lose to Tennessee in Gainesville.
Winning in the Swamp is never easy, but the Vols have to find a way in 2023. It's their chance to send Florida to the cellar of the SEC.
Featured image via Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
