Associated PressKNOXVILLE, Tenn. ó The Florida-Tennessee rivalry has lost some luster since the days when Steve Spurrier coached the Gators and Peyton Manning was at quarterback for the Volunteers.
In every season since the series became an annual event in 1990, both teams have been ranked ó until this year.
“Maybe some of the buzz may have been taken away as far as national media and overall excitement, but I think between the fans there is still that rivalry,” said Gators quarterback Tim Tebow, who grew up watching Manning and Florida quarterback Danny Wuerffel at the height of the rivalry. “I know between the players there is still that rivalry. Between the coaches there is still that rivalry.”
A one-sided rivalry recently.
No. 4 Florida (2-0) enters today’s game against Tennessee with a three-game winning streak against their Southeastern Conference rivals since Urban Meyer took over the Gators.
The Gators and Volunteers have represented the SEC East in 13 of 16 conference championship games, including the last two.
“I don’t think you’d have red blood running through your veins if you didn’t excited about a week like this,” said Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, who is 5-11 against Florida, including a 59-20 Gators’ rout last year.
Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes didn’t let the Vols forget the end of that game, saying earlier this week that Tennessee players gave up before it was over.
The Vols took a large markerboard this week and scrawled the words “Tennessee quit last year” across it, and placed it near the team’s indoor practice field.
“It’s not even part of our vocabulary,” Tennessee defensive end Wes Brown said.