Tennessee senior on Florida: They don't like us and we don't like them
I wouldn't expect too many handshakes and hugs on Saturday night between the Tennessee Vols and the Florida Gators. While there will undoubtedly be some players on both sides who are friendly with each other thanks to the intertwined world of high school recruiting, Tennessee and Florida players, for the most part, will be enemies […]
I wouldn't expect too many handshakes and hugs on Saturday night between the Tennessee Vols and the Florida Gators.
While there will undoubtedly be some players on both sides who are friendly with each other thanks to the intertwined world of high school recruiting, Tennessee and Florida players, for the most part, will be enemies on the field on Saturday night in Gainesville.
Vols redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren joined "Off the Hook Sports" ahead of Tennessee's matchup in the Swamp with the Gators and he briefly discussed what the Florida game means to the Vols.
Warren acknowledged that the Florida game is one that Tennessee has to win in order to accomplish their goals this season, while also pointing out that neither team likes each other.
"I think it's a game you kind of have to win in order to be considered, especially around here, a good team," said Warren. "And then someone that has a chance to go and accomplish all those goals that we've talked about accomplishing. And I think that's kind of the motto, right? That's the mission — yeah, it is Florida. And they're in the way of what we're trying to get done. Do we like them? No. Do they like us? No. So it'll be fun. It'll be rowdy. Obviously, we'll be in Gainesville and it'll be loud and it'll be a good environment. I'm excited. I think we're all excited to go down there."
That's the way this game is supposed to be. Florida is supposed to be in Tennessee's way of big goals. And vice versa.
There's supposed to be a palpable dislike between both teams. And I think that will be felt on Saturday night in Gainesville.
The Swamp will be as rowdy as ever for a showdown with the Vols. And we'll all have a much better idea of what to expect from Tennessee in Josh Heupel's third season as the Vols' settle into conference play.
Tennessee HC Josh Heupel gives thoughts on what kind of atmosphere he expects in the Swamp
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel gives thoughts on what kind of atmosphere he expects in the Swamp
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
