All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Five reasons Vols could upset Florida

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
01 Dec 2001: Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee runs with the ball during the victory over Florida at Florida Field at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl. Tennessee won 34-32. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT
01 Dec 2001: Casey Clausen #7 of Tennessee runs with the ball during the victory over Florida at Florida Field at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Fl. Tennessee won 34-32. DIGITAL IMAGE Mandatory Credit: Andy Lyons/ALLSPORT /

2. There are similarities to this game in the 2001 game.

If you believe in omens, the last time Tennessee football faced the Florida Gators on the first Saturday in December was 2001. The Vols secured one of their greatest regular season wins in school history that day, winning 34-32. Playing in December isn’t the only similarity, though.

More from Vols Football

That game was delayed due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. This game Saturday was delayed due to the pandemic. Florida opened as 17.5-point favorites back in 2001. They opened as 17.5-point favorites for this game as well.

The Gators are also first in the East with a national title on the line and a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Kyle Trask. Well, they were tied for first in the East with a national title on the line in 2001 and a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback in Rex Grossman.

Oh, and the Vols won that day thanks to a speedy running back in Travis Stephens from the state of Tennessee who had 226 yards on the ground. Well, they once again have a speedy running back from within the state in Eric Gray. How many similarities can there be? Okay, to be fair, some things are different.

Related Story. Five Vols to watch for against Florida. light

UT was a top 10 team and playing for the East and national title as well in 2001. That’s not the case today. That game was also in The Swamp, and this game is in Knoxville. Still, there are numerous other reasons that would lead any superstitious fan to believe an upset is possible.

Home/Vols Football