For the first time in almost two decades I don't feel intimidated going to Gainesville

[TennesseeTarheel]

Is it too early to discuss a Napier extension?

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Agree, not at the moment.

But you’ll still be nervous.

You are really trying to hold on to the fear people used to have playing in Gainesville, aren't you?

No, I will not be nervous, neither will the majority of Tennessee fans. Florida is not Florida and Gainesville is a dump. . . only thing I'll be nervous about is making it out of Gainesville without some form of hepatitis.

 

[CAVPUT]

You’ll still be nervous. It’s Florida. In Gainesville.

Yep. If fans have learned anything at all, it's that the most talent doesn't always win out in this series. Many a year UT had better talent but still found a way to lose. Maybe this time will be different because of a trickle down effect from Heupel, but I take nothing and no game for granted.

 

[Jaws]

You still a fan of Billy?

I’m a fan of his current recruiting, best looking class so far since Meyer days. That needs to stick through what is likely another 5-7 win season. I’m also a very big fan of his structure and organizational management.

But I’m not impressed with the wins-losses in year one, and I wasn’t blown away by the X’s and O’s on either side of the ball.

So the jury is still out.

 

[Nationdom]

In reality we beat them 2014-2017.

 

[Jaws]

You are really trying to hold on to the fear people used to have playing in Gainesville, aren't you?

No, I will not be nervous, neither will the majority of Tennessee fans. Florida is not Florida and Gainesville is a dump. . . only thing I'll be nervous about is making it out of Gainesville without some form of hepatitis.

If you’re not nervous, you’re abnormal or you’re lying. Florida beat TN something like 25 of 30 years and yet I was still nervous before EVERY game.

 

[OrangeTsar]

You still a fan of Billy?

A lousy Will Muschamp beat us regularly at Florida. Billy could do same if we don’t go into the game with the right mental state. Thankfully I think Heupel is the best we have had in my lifetime in that arena

 

[VolinMichigan]

For almost 20 years, I've felt dread when it came to the prospect of playing Florida in the Swamp but I'm feeling way more confident this year. I'm not calling for a 50-0 rout by any means because we've all seen strange things happen against Florida, but at least we know our head coach won't do stupid stuff to ruin our chances to escape with a win. I can't wait to see how 2023 goes. It could be a magical season with a little luck and if we can avoid the injury bug.

Yea it’s still not an easy place to play. I’ll never be fully confident of a win over FL. Too many head scratching and gut wrenching losses over the last 20 years.

 

[VolinMichigan]

I’m a fan of his current recruiting, best looking class so far since Meyer days. That needs to stick through what is likely another 5-7 win season. I’m also a very big fan of his structure and organizational management.

But I’m not impressed with the wins-losses in year one, and I wasn’t blown away by the X’s and O’s on either side of the ball.

So the jury is still out.

Do you think he survives another 5 win season? The monied folks will be getting very anxious. In this day and age, two losing seasons is enough to get you canned at a school like UF (which is dumb).

 

[terrypedigo]

Nope, sorry Bud. It's gonna be a thumping.............

I will take 3-0 and move on.

 

[Vol_sanity]

Im going to the swamp for my first ever game down there. Figured this is the best possible time to go...but I will be nervous

 

[PEPPERJAX]

For almost 20 years, I've felt dread when it came to the prospect of playing Florida in the Swamp but I'm feeling way more confident this year. I'm not calling for a 50-0 rout by any means because we've all seen strange things happen against Florida, but at least we know our head coach won't do stupid stuff to ruin our chances to escape with a win. I can't wait to see how 2023 goes. It could be a magical season with a little luck and if we can avoid the injury bug.

I definitely have the most confidence heading into the swamp this year than I can recall in quite some time. With that being said, UF always has good athletes on both sides of the ball and there seems to be an unknown that comes out of nowhere that plays really well against us. I like what UT returns on offense a lot and our defense couldn't possibly get any worse. I do expect a big step forward from that unit in 2023. Outside of the Utah win for the gators in 2022, Napier's best coaching performance came against the Vols imo albeit in a loss though. The game shouldn't have been that close in Neyland but we failed to execute late in the game giving UF opportunities. The good news is Anthony Richardson is gone and it appears the QB for UF is a major down grade especially athletically. Last year UT's defense had no answer for AR. We should be encouraged that Milton was able to have a good game against Clemson leading UT to a solid victory over the tigers. Dabo's teams over the years normally have defensive squads that are on par with the better teams in the SEC. That should give Milton a tremendous amount of confidence when he goes up against the defenders in the swamp. The winner in this series typically forces more turnovers and runs the ball better. @Jaws is right about nerves, hell I get nervous before every game. GBO!!!

 

[lifeisdeep]

You’ll still be nervous. It’s Florida. In Gainesville.

You have made plenty of intelligent posts on here. This ain’t one of them.

 

[lifeisdeep]

If you’re not nervous, you’re abnormal or you’re lying. Florida beat TN something like 25 of 30 years and yet I was still nervous before EVERY game.

Denial is not a river in Egypt.

 

[Jaws]

Do you think he survives another 5 win season? The monied folks will be getting very anxious. In this day and age, two losing seasons is enough to get you canned at a school like UF (which is dumb).

Yes, I think he’ll get at least 3 full seasons, although next year he is going to feel pressure like he’s never known. The team won’t be great and it will get loud and uncomfortable.

 

[VB_Vol]

Florida always shows up for this game but I finally believe we are well past the point where opposing teams are turning the Power T upside down on their schedule. This season all hangs on JM III.

 

[LadyinOrange]

Agree, not at the moment.

But you’ll still be nervous.

I feel nervous against EVERY team we play.

 

[Jaws]

I feel nervous against EVERY team we play.

Same. Especially rivalry games. And doubly especially rivalry games on the road.

 

[JohnWardForever]

You’ll still be nervous. It’s Florida. In Gainesville.

Fans may be; but the Tennessee Players & Coaches Won't.... (be nervous)

 

[overseasorange2]

You’ll still be nervous. It’s Florida. In Gainesville.

 

[GoodmanVol]

Never not anxious till the game is over or at least till we’re up by an insurmountable margin.

Florida was dog water last year and they kept it close till the final drive, in Knox.

 

[Madscientistvol]

Man, I would love to see how many of our regular Gator posters would stick around if we started our own streak against them. Wouldn’t be able to know for a few years if we started one but it’s easy to be gracious and friendly in enemy territory when you have owned the series in recent memory.

I’ve lurked on Candy and UK boards and they are nowhere near as nice to Vol posters there are y’all are to our resident reptiles.

 

[VolPack22]

You’ll still be nervous. It’s Florida. In Gainesville.

Nervousness went out the window as soon as you guys hired Sun Belt Billy.

 

[Volfan1000]

Y'all aint my daddy's Florida. Not even close. And you know it.

Basketball and Baseball programs have won recently in Gainesville and I expect Football to follow suit in 2023.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Going to Florida has not been intimidating in eons. Maybe the last Tebow year. Tennessee just hasn't been what we should be.