Tennessee vs Florida by the Seven Game Maxims

Continuing our evaluation of each Vol game, and Tennessee’s performance, by General Robert Neyland’s Seven Game Maxims, let’s look at Saturday’s Florida-Tennessee tilt.

Good Fight, But Little Might

Florida 31  Tennessee 17

18 Sep 2010 | Neyland Stadium | 102,455

Recap | Boxscore | Play-by-play | Drive Chart

Tennessee brought a 60-minute game to the Florida Gators Saturday afternoon, but in the end, it was an audacious call by Urban Meyer, and Florida’s ability to continually respond to the Vols’ best efforts, that led the Gators to a win in the SEC opener for both schools.

Einsteins in the Fall

Here’s the summary of predictions offered by the collective genius that is the Vols in the Fall (in order or point spread:

She Hates Florida. Who Doesn’t?

If profanity offends you, then consider this: it might be appropriate when talking about the Gator State.

Is It Lesson Learned Yet?

Saturday’s whopping, record-breaking whupping to the Oregon Ducks can either be a lesson to learn from or a nuclear implosion. We all want it to be the former, and if it is, how long will it take to learn whatever it offers to teach?

It’s Gator Time Again

By the way the GatorNation is carrying on, you’d think Florida was Virginia Tech. Hand-wringing seems to be the neurotic behavior du jour.

Florida’s Headstart Program

With National Signing Day (NSD) coming on Wednesday, I had a look at Tennessee’s recruiting prospect list published by Scout. It’s the list of high school and JUCO players that have expressed an interest in Tennessee.

The players are listed by Scout’s ranking, from five-star candidates to one-star rankings. The list also indicates the level of interest expressed by the player (low, medium, high if uncommitted) and if an official offer has been made by Tennessee.

Also indicated is if the player has committed to the Vols or to any other school, and if the commitment has been made verbally (which will change beginning Wednesday as players will begin to sign).

The Nouveau Riche

When you have no history of a rivalry, I guess this is what you wear to the party…

Source: Fan Shot posted on Roll ‘Bama Roll.

The Crimson Tide Drown the Gators for the SEC Crown

Recap /   Box Score /  Play-by-Play /  Drive Chart

Your 2009 SEC Champions: The Alabama Crimson Tide. AP Photo

Alabama made 26 first downs to Florida’s 13, and converted 11 of 15 3rd-down conversions (11 of 15!) to Florida’s 4 of 11. The Tide’s rushing yardage swallowed the Gators’, 251 to 88 yards (63 of Florida’s 88 yards were Tebow’s). Alabama’s unheralded passing game equaled Florida’s touted Tebow-to-Company wrecking crew, 239 to 247 yards. And the Crimson Tide had possession of the ball twice as long as the Gators, 39:37 to 20:23.

Total domination.

This was simply Alabama’s best game of the season and Florida’s worst. By far on both accounts. But why?

Perhaps Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin was correct when he humorously postulated earlier this week that both teams had great players but Alabama’s were better coached. Perhaps.

Florida (1) 23 Tennessee 13

	1	2	3	4	Total
Tennessee	3	3	0	7	13
Florida	3	10	10	0	23

Attendance (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium):  90,894

Recap Box Score Play-by-Play Drive Chart

Vol Pride Remains Intact After a Physical Effort

Head coaches Lane Kiffin and Urban Meyer shake hands at the end in Gainesville. AP Photo by John Raoux.

In a game that didn’t satisfy the Florida Faithful who wanted to teach Lane Kiffin and the Tennessee Volunteers a lesson, the Vols left Gainesville with their pride intact after keeping the game within reach well into the fourth quarter.

Senior QB Tim Tebow led the Gators to a 23-13 win over the Big Orange in the traditional SEC opener for both schools. This was Florida’s fifth consecutive victory over Tennessee and a school record 13^th win in a row.

Game Preview: Florida vs Tennessee

Saturday 19 Sept 2009

3:30 pm ET

Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, FL

Lane Kiffin must have been driving at night because he obviously didn't see this sign on the way to his opening press conference.

I guess Lane didn’t read the sign.

Back in December at his introductory news conference, Vol Head Coach Lane Kiffin joked that he looked forward to singing “Rocky Top” all night long after beating Florida this season. And, in February, he accused (falsely) Florida Head Coach Urban Meyer of a recruiting violation.

Instead he put gasoline on a fire that has been burning since October 13, 1990 when Tennessee and Florida began what is now an annual match of good natured (and sometimes not so good natured) hate. The Vols won that day in Knoxville 45-3. The Vols are 5-13 since. During that time, Florida has won by some pretty big scores: 59-20 (2007); 31-0 (1994); 62-37 (1995); 30-6 (2008); 30-13 (2002).

Needless to say, based on Coach Kiffin’s motivational speaking prowess he has displayed since donning the orange and white, the Gators are looking to see if they can score the most points ever against the Vols and win by the greatest margin ever. To do that, they will have to score at least 63 points and win by at least 40.

Possible?