Tennessee Volunteers vs Florida Gators: Who wins the SEC East Showdown?

A	Florida Gators will win!

B	Tennessee Volunteers will win!

In week three, the Tennessee Volunteers visit The Swamp in Gainesville, FL to challenge the Florida Gators. Both teams are currently undefeated, however, neither team has really been tested. Florida has played two far inferior opponents, and Tennessee played one inferior team and Cincinnati, who is not that good this year. We will learn a lot about both teams in this game, and whether either is a true contender for the SEC East Title and a chance to play in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, GA.

Stat Comparison of Both Teams

Florida Gators Statistics through Week Two

Rushing Offense - ranked 17; 248.50 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 49; 241.50 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 21; 490.00 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - ranked 32; 40.00 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 10; 50.50 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 12; 124.00 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 6; 174.50 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 1; 1.50 points given up per game

Tennessee Volunteers Statistics through Week Two

Rushing Offense - ranked 81; 127.00 rushing yards per game
Passing Offense - ranked 9; 358.00 passing yards per game
Total Offense - ranked 24; 485.00 total yards per game
Scoring Offense - ranked 22; 43.50 points per game
Rushing Defense - ranked 67; 138.50 rushing yards given up per game
Pass Defense - ranked 73; 232.50 passing yards given up per game
Total Defense - ranked 63; 371.00 total yards given up per game
Scoring Defense - ranked 46; 19.50 points given up per game

The Gators are favored by 9.5 points at home, and while I like the Gators to win this game; I doubt they will cover the spread. The Vols are going to have a lot of problems trying to contain Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps, two speedsters that can take it to the house at any moment. Tyler Bray and company will have a good game, but the crowd noise and the Gators defense will be able to do enough for the win.

UPDATE

In the first quarter and a half, it appeared as though the Florida Gators were going to run away with this game by jumping up to a 16-0 lead. However, the Gators were unable to put the Vols away. The Vols can be thankful for their defense holding the Gators to three field goals and only one touchdown inside the red zone. With only four minutes left in the second quarter, the Vols were able to drive the ball 89 yards for a quick touchdown to stay in the game and go into the half down only 16-7. They also get the ball to begin the third quarter.

UPDATE

To start the thrid quarter, Tyler Bray thew an interception. Florida capitalized on the turnover by driving 42 yards for the touchdown to take a 23-7 lead.

UPDATE

Florida forced Tennessee to punt the ball after 6 plays. On the second play from scrimmage, John Brantley dumped the ball off to Chris Rainey underneath. Rainey proceeded to take the ball 83 yards for a touchdown. The score is now 30-7 with eight minutes left in the third quarter.

UPDATE

After being forced three an out, the Vols caught a break. After Jeff Demps was stood up by several Vols defenders, one of them was able to strip the ball and recover the fumble for the Vols in Gators territory. Six plays later, Tyler Bray found Da'Rick Rogers for a 14 yard touchdown, however, they missed the two point conversion attempt. The score is now 30-13 with just under five minutes left in the third quarter.

UPDATE

After causing the Florida Offense to go three plays and out, the Vols caught yet another break. Florida's punter, kicking from his own nine yard line, only kicked the ball 21 yards giving the Vols the ball at the Gators 30 yard line. It seemed momentarily as though Florida's defense had saved the day for the Gators when it appeared Marcus Roberson picked off Bray, however, he was called for pass interference for pulling on the Vols wide receiver jersey and taking him to the ground.

UPDATE

The Vols were only able to get a field goal off the good field position. Score is 30-16, Gators, with around 13 minutes left to play in the fourth.

UPDATE

On the next Florida drive, they were able to eat a little over six minutes of the clock on a 50 yard drive, however, they were forced to settle for a field goal. Florida 33 Tennessee 23

UPDATE

In just over two minutes, the Vols were able to get another touchdown after Tyler Bray hit Mychal Rivera for ten yards. The drive totaled 60 yards, 8 plays and now the Vols have a chance down only ten...Florida 33 Tennessee 23 with 4 minutes and 30 seconds left in the game.

Final Tenn 23 Florida 33

Game Statistics

Tennessee

Total Yards: 279
Rushing Yards: -9
Passing Yards: 288
1st Downs: 23
Penalties: 10 - 94 yards
Turnovers: 2 - 0 fumbles lost - 2 interceptions

Tennessee Passing Leader

T Bray: 26 for 48 - 288 yards - 6.0 average per completion - 3 touchdowns - 2 interceptions

Tennessee Rushing Leaders

T Poole: 9 carries - 18 yards - 2.0 yard average per carry - 0 touchdowns
M. Lane: 5 carries - 9 yards - 1.8 yard average per carry - 0 touchdowns

Tennessee Receiving Leaders

M Rivera: 5 catches - 71 yards - 14.2 average per catch - 1 touchdown
D Rodgers: 5 catches - 62 yards - 12.4 average per catch - 1 touchdown
D Arnett: 8 catches - 59 yards - 7.4 average per catch - 0 touchdowns

Florida

Total Yards 347
Rushing Yards: 134
Passing Yards: 213
1st Downs: 17
Penalties: 16 - 150 yards
Turnovers: 1 - 1 fumble lost - 0 interceptions

Florida Passing Leader

J Brantley: 14 for 23 - 213 yards - 9.3 average per completion - 2 touchdowns - 0 interceptions

Florida Rushing Leaders

C Rainey: 21 carries - 108 yards - 5.1 yard average per carry - 0 touchdowns
J Demps: 10 carries - 48 yards - 4.8 yard average per carry - 0 touchdowns

Florida Receiving Leaders

C Rainey: 2 catches - 108 yards - 52.0 average per catch - 1 touchdown
T Burton: 4 catches - 38 yards - 9.5 average per catch - 1 touchdown
J Demps: 4 catches - 37 yards - 9.3 average per catch - 0 touchdowns

Brian Johnson

Tennessee Volunteers vs Florida Gators: Who wins the SEC East Showdown?

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