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College football preview: No. 19 Florida vs. Tennessee

 
Tampa Bay Times
Published Sept. 21, 2013

No. 19 Florida vs. Tennessee, 3:30, Ch. 10, 1250-AM

Today is the SEC opener for both teams, and it marks the finale of a 12-year run in which the Vols (2-1) and Gators (1-1) open conference play against each other. Once a competitive rivalry, this has been a one-sided affair of late. Florida has won eight in a row since 2004. The Vols boast a veteran offensive line, but the quarterback position is in flux as coach Butch Jones opened the position battle up after a loss to Oregon and didn't announce a starter. The team with the most rushing yards has won the past eight games, which Florida hopes will play right into its offensive mind-set. Sophomore RB Matt Jones is expected to be improved from his tough first outing at Miami, and Mack Brown and Valdez Showers have proved to be reliable backups. UF is ranked 64th in Division I-A in total offense, Tennessee 78th. Maybe that's why Florida offensive coordinator Brent Pease said not to expect the Gators to mimic the Ducks.

Watch out for … UF had five turnovers in the Sept. 7 loss at Miami and faces a Tennessee team that is an SEC-leading plus-6 in turnover margin and tied for third in I-A with nine forced turnovers.

Antonya English, Times staff writer