The Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators will kick off their respective SEC slates on Saturday night with a pivotal game in Gainesville.  

Tennessee looks to secure its first back-to-back win over rival Florida since the 2003-04 seasons.  It will also be looking for its first win in Gainesville since 2003, a 24-10 win.  That victory also serves at Tennessee's only win by more than one score at Florida since 1955.  

With a big-armed quarterback in Joe Milton leading Josh Heupel's fast-paced offense, coupled with a deep and talented defense, there's hope that the Vols can end those droughts on Saturday night. 

Tennessee Volunteers (2-0) at Florida Gators (2-0)
Date: Saturday, September 16
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL
Betting odds: Tennessee -5.5; O/U 56
How to watch on TV: ESPN
Streaming: All television streaming services (Hulu, YouTube TV, etc.); ESPN app
Radio: Vol Radio Network; Knoxville: 99.1 FM, 107.7 FM, 990 AM

Can Milton and the passing attack get back on track? 

Milton has shown the touch and ability to run the Vols' offense very well.  The last two games of the 2022 season against Vanderbilt and Clemson prove that Milton CAN make the throws necessary to win games.  

Through two games, he, Ramel Keyton, Bru McCoy, Donte' Thornton, and Squirrel White have not been able to get the passing attack jump started, whether that's through inaccurate passes or drops.  The running game has worked very well, so the shortcomings in the passing game have been relatively masked, but if the Gators jump to an early lead, can Milton and the Vols strike back quickly? 

One has to think Heupel has kept some tricks up his sleeve, so the relatively vanilla play calls in the passing game through two games could see some major tweaks on Saturday night, which could help get the proverbial snowball rolling down the hill for the passing attack.  

3 other players to watch

Cooper Mays – Florida has the horses up front to slow the Tennessee passing attack, so Mays' smarts in getting the Vols' offensive line in good position will be key.  Also, to speak the obvious, will he be limited in any way – physically or conditioning-wise – with this being his first game action?  If he truly is 100% and ready to go, the Vols' front will get a sizeable boost. 

Aaron Beasley – Florida is very adept at running the ball and certainly will be looking to slow the game down and not ask Graham Mertz to throw it 45 times if they don't have to.  As such, it will be up to Tennessee's defensive front and linebackers to limit the Gator rushing attack, and that starts with the Vols' best defender.  Beasley had 5 tackles for loss with 2 sacks last week against Austin Peay.  Tennessee needs him to be a force again on Saturday night.

Dee Williams – The Vols' returner looked very explosive against Virginia, with three punt returns for 105 yards.  In what could be a close game, small things like field position matter, and Williams could be a difference-maker for the Vols. 

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More Vols news ahead of the game

• Florida legend makes it clear he's not impressed by Tennessee's offense
• Former Oklahoma HC Bob Stoops predicts winner of Tennessee vs. Florida
• Ken Tennessee Vols player included on impressive list ahead of game against Florida
• Josh Heupel provides update on Cooper Mays' status for Florida

Tennessee RB Jaylen Wright is Vols’ X-factor vs. Florida Gators

Heupel has one of the most electric backs in the country at his disposal against the Gators

Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC