Gators Online Gameday predictions: Florida vs. Tennessee

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — All eyes will be on Knoxville this Saturday at 3:30 pm. The No. 20 Florida Gators hit the road for the first time this season to take on the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers.

Word out of Knoxville, and Vegas, is that this is the year for the Vols. The Gators are a 10.5-point underdog, the biggest dog they’ve ever been in the series.

Despite winning 16 of the last 17 matchups and dominating the series since 1976, nobody is giving the Florida a chance. What about the Gators Online staff?

Gators Online Predicts Florida-Tennessee

Zach Abolverdi: Prior to the season, I picked Florida to beat Tennessee. The Vols have been as good as advertised through three weeks, especially on offense, while both units for the Gators have experienced some issues with Anthony Richardson’s struggles and Ventrell Miller’s absence.

Miller could be back in the starting lineup on Saturday, which would provide a huge boost for a UF defense that allowed 305 net yards on the ground to South Florida. Even with his return, however, Tennessee’s up-tempo offense with Hendon Hooker will be a difficult matchup for the Gators.

In an effort to kill some clock, Florida’s running backs should receive more carries and that will produce some scoring drives (and take pressure off Anthony Richardson). However, I expect the Vols to put up points more in this game and I don’t think UF will be able to keep up with them offensively.

Tennessee, 34-27.

Corey Bender: Which Anthony Richardson are we going to get in Knoxville?

There is no doubt the Gators’ rushing attack will be a headache to deal with for the Volunteers; however, UF will need to provide chunk plays through the air in order to not be one-dimensional. 

Tennessee, on the other hand, boasts a well-balanced attack behind Hendon Hooker and has two pass catchers who are approaching 300 yards. Its rushing attack is not as productive as Florida’s but is definitely reliable.

I don’t envision either team winning by a large margin, but this is UF’s first road test and it’s taking place in Knoxville for College GameDay. The Gators still have some kinks to work out as well.

Tennessee, 31-27.

Nick de la Torre: I’m excited for the game this week. I remember traveling to Knoxville in 2016. That’s the last time College Gameday was there, that was the infamous “have you ever seen a duck pull a truck.” The 2016 game is the only time the Vols have beaten the Gators in the last 17 years. Before that, the current freshmen on each team were in diapers.

Now, none of the games in the past 17 years will factor into this one. However, I have seen my fair share of Tennessee collapses and Gator wins.

If Florida’s coaches are being honest with themselves and this team, they’ll go all out to win this game. The Gators already lost to Kentucky. They’re not going to beat Georgia. You’re not going to Atlanta this year, so sell out and beat the Vols. Let Anthony Richardson be Anthony Richardson. Play to your strengths. Run the football until Tennessee proves they can stop it. I think we see the best version of Anthony Richardson this week.

Florida, 34-28.

Pat O’Donnell: The Gators’ tallest task stands before them with No. 11 Tennessee patiently waiting for them in Knoxville. We’ve seen what Tennessee is capable of, and we got a great look when they won on the road at Pittsburgh. The offense will make you pay, but the defense may be more forgiving. Billy Napier and the Gators will control the game on the ground with a stout three-headed rushing attack. Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker will struggle against the Florida defensive backs. It comes down to the wire, but the Gators leave Knoxville with a 3 in the win column.

Florida, 30-28.

Donavon Keiser: The Florida Gators have dominated the series against the Tennessee Volunteers. With linebacker Ventrell Miller attempting to play and the Gators over a touchdown underdog, this is the perfect spot for them to show what they’re made of. No one thinks the Gators have a chance, but they should be able to limit Tennessee’s passing attack while running the ball at will, if they choose to. I like the Gators in an upset. 

Florida, 31-28.

Tracking Our Picks

Writer	Overall Record	Week 1: Utah	Week 2: UK	Week 3: USF
Corey Bender	2-1	Florida ✅	Florida ❌	Florida ✅
Pat O’Donnell	2-1	Florida ✅	Florida ❌	Florida ✅
Nick de la Torre	1-2	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅
Zach Abolverdi	1-2	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅
Donovan Keiser	1-2	Utah ❌	Florida ❌	Florida ✅