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Wes Rucker said...

I think four things:

1) Tennessee has to get over the mental block that plagues the Vols against Florida. Every year is its own year, and it stands on its own, but I've read this book before.

2) Tennessee has not beaten a team this good in three years. It will happen at some point, obviously, but I remain skeptical until I see it.

3) Tennessee has to improve in several tangible ways that are required to win SEC games. The Vols have to run more consistently, and they have to improve in short-yardage, and they have to tighten up on the back end. Florida will score more than N.C. State and Georgia State if the Vols continue to struggle in the first quarter.

4) Florida is a better team than some people are suggesting. It's not a traditional Florida team with a bunch of big-play jitterbugs that scare the heck out of you, but it can do a lot of the same stuff that good Tennessee teams did — run, stop the run and score on defense/special teams. And Caleb Sturgis is a heck of a kicker who could be the difference in a close game.

NOTE: I would not in any way be surprised if Tennessee wins. UT has several advantages over the Gators, too. But I think too many people are ignoring some issues that could cost the Vols this game.

JMO. Go Cubs. Go America.