Head-to-head history
While Tennessee is clearly the better team in 2024, this matchup has been all Florida. The Gators have won 17 of the last 19 meetings with the Volunteers. Florida won last year’s clash by a score of 29-16. However, Florida is only 14-13 on the road against Tennessee. That’s something to keep an eye on here with the entire crowd set to be behind the home squad.
Not a great season for Florida
It hasn’t been the best campaign for the Gators, one of the most prestigious programs in the nation. They lost earlier in the season to Miami and Texas A&M. However, Billy Napier’s group has responded lately, notching two straight victories over Mississippi State and UCF, putting them on the right track again.
Both Graham Mertz and DJ Lagway have split time under center in ‘24. Mertz has completed 77.2% of his passes for 666 yards and five touchdowns against two interceptions. As for Lagway, he’s completed 69.1% of his throws for four TDs and three picks. It was mostly Mertz against the Knights though, completing 19 of 23 passes for a score.
The Gators rank 47th in the nation in passing yards and have a solid WR core. Elijah Badger leads the way with 17 grabs for 346 yards and two touchdowns. Defensively, Florida isn’t great and they will be tested heavily by a strong Tennessee attack. Florida is a big underdog at online betting sites.
Tennessee is solid
No Joe Milton, no problem. Milton left for the NFL but Nico Iamaleava has done a wonderful job at quarterback this year, leading the Vols to a 4-1 record. He’s completed 66.4% of his passes for 1,037 yards and seven TDs against just two interceptions. However, Iamaleava struggled in the Arkansas loss with his accuracy and failed to find the end zone in a game for the first time this year.
Tennessee was outgained 434-332 by the Razorbacks and had only 156 passing yards. On a more positive note, the Volunteers are a very strong team on both sides of the ball. They’re first in the country in third-down conversion, fifth in total yards, seventh in rushing yards, and fourth in points. This squad is putting up points in bunches.
Their two running backs are balling out. Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop are both averaging over six yards per carry, with Sampson also taking it the house 12 times. He’s been the main option with 91 carries for 589 yards. Iamaleava is also a consistent option with his legs. Four of the Vols’ next five games are at home but there will be some difficult opponents in Alabama, M-State, and Georgia. This next month will determine if they will be in the College Football Playoff or not. Tennessee is a -14.5 favorite at Sports Interaction.
