Tennessee football vs. Florida: 5 fluke losses Vols gave away to Gators

4. 1996 – Florida Gators defeat Tennessee Volunteers 35-29

Depending on which side you ask, the game was either way closer than it should have been or given away by Tennessee football. Florida Gators fans will say the only reason it was this close was because they called off the dogs after building a 35-0 lead early. Bob Stoops said as much.

It certainly looked that way with how Steve Spurrier coached the second half. But the fact of the matter is, calling off the dogs may have helped the Gators run out the clock. After all, the Vols lost this game not because they couldn’t stop the Florida offense. They lost because they simply spotted the Gators their lead.

After converting a fourth down in the first quarter to go up 7-0, Peyton Manning and co. collapsed. On their first four drives, Manning had two picks, the Vols were stopped on a fourth down, and Jay Graham had a fumble returned for a touchdown. On top of the fumble return, Florida got the ball all three times past midfield. So yes, the Vols spotted the Gators a 35-0 lead.

But somehow, Tennessee still had a chance to make it close by halftime. After converting a touchdown pass to Peerless Price to make it 35-6, the Vols had the ball two more times in the red zone. Manning threw two more interceptions. So Tennessee football gave Florida 21 points off turnovers and then blew chances with two more red zone turnovers. But they somehow only lost 35-29 thanks to a gutsy second half by Manning and co.

When you look at six turnovers overall, yes, the Vols gave this game to Florida. Steve Spurrier got the best of Manning and co. in 1995 and 1997. But in 1996, the Vols spotted them a 35-0 lead that never should have happened.