Today On Rocky Top: It’s Florida Week & More News
By Zach Ragan
Sep 22, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers marching band performs on the field prior to the game against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee defeated Akron 47-26. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
From ESPN
"Tennessee hasn’t defeated Florida since 2004, so you can understand why first-year Vols coach Butch Jones wants to put the losing streak to rest.“Our players understand the rivalry, what is at stake,” Jones said Tuesday. “I think they understand what has gone on before them. The only thing we can control is our preparation and how we play on Saturday.”Florida has beaten Tennessee eight consecutive times, which represents the Gators’ longest winning streak in the 42-game history of the series. The No. 19 Gators try to continue their recent mastery of this rivalry Saturday at The Swamp."
From Fox News
"But with an extra week to prepare for Saturday’s game against Southeastern Conference rival Tennessee (2-1), Jones has high hopes for his second game.“I definitely have big expectations,” he said. “I want to take the team on my back now that I’m back and I know how the game feels now. I have big expectations going into this game to run hard and trust myself.”The Gators (1-1) might need a big game from their featured back.The ground game has been an integral part of the Florida-Tennessee series the last two-plus decades."
From Bleacher Report
"For the first time in what seems like forever, the Tennessee Volunteers will head into their game against the Florida Gators with a fanbase that has realistic hopes of seeing their team walk away victorious.Of course, this topic may have been a bit juicier before last weekend, when Butch Jones’ team walked into AutzenStadium and then walked out with a nosebleed and a 59-14 defeat."
From The Washington Post
"Tennessee freshman defensive end Corey Vereen is expected to make his collegiate debut Saturday at No. 19 Florida.Linebacker Curt Maggitt remains sidelined as he recovers from a torn anterior cruciate ligament.Volunteers coach Butch Jones updated the status of both players on his radio show Wednesday.Vereen missed Tennessee’s first three games after spraining the medial collateral ligament in his right knee during training camp."