Former Oklahoma HC Bob Stoops predicts winner of Tennessee vs Florida
Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel's former head coach and boss, made a prediction this week for Tennessee's matchup against the Florida Gators on Saturday night in Gainesville. Stoops, who was Florida's defensive coordinator from 1996 to 1998, feels like Tennessee will take care of business in the […]
Former Oklahoma Sooners head coach Bob Stoops, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel's former head coach and boss, made a prediction this week for Tennessee's matchup against the Florida Gators on Saturday night in Gainesville.
Stoops, who was Florida's defensive coordinator from 1996 to 1998, feels like Tennessee will take care of business in the swamp against the Gators.
"I've got fond memories of this game [from] back in my time with Coach [Steve] Spurrier at Florida from 96 to 98," said Stoops during an interview on his YouTube channel. "Played Peyton Manning, [who] was their quarterback in 96 and [97]. And then Tee Martin was the quarterback in 98. They actually beat us in 98 at Tennessee, but the other two we won. One of my first huge games at Florida was at Neyland Stadium in this environment, it was a heck of game."
"I like what Tennessee's doing right now," added Stoops. "Coach Heupel, their staff, their style of offense. The quarterback is athletic. And Florida just hasn't looked good, there's no other way to put it. Their first game, I thought they looked pretty sloppy and didn't look very good overall. So I'll go with Tennessee."
That pick from Stoops is interesting considering his history with Heupel.
The duo won a national championship together in 2000 with Heupel at quarterback. Heupel was later an assistant under Stoops, eventually rising to offensive coordinator before getting fired by Stoops after the 2014 season.
What's odd about Stoops' comments about Tennessee's offense is that Heupel is running the offense that he wanted to run at Oklahoma before he was let go by Stoops.
Of course, everything worked out for both sides after 2014. Stoops hired Lincoln Riley, who later became the Sooners' head coach and led Oklahoma to the College Football Playoff before leaving for USC (Vols fans feel you there, Oklahoma).
And Heupel, as Tennessee fans are well aware, has breathed life into a Vols football program that was seemingly in an endless cycle of mediocrity.
By the way, Tennessee plays at Oklahoma next season. What a night (we assume) that will be for both programs.
Story from former Heisman winner shows Josh Heupel is no pushover despite being labeled as a ‘players’ coach’
Story from a former Heisman winner shows that Tennessee Vols HC Josh Heupel is no pushover despite being labeled as a ‘players’ coach’
Featured image via USA TODAY Sports
