History has shown a win over Florida is significant for UT's season

[PEPPERJAX]

I have read through quite a few threads after the win Saturday and thought about how lopsided the series has been against UF since 1990. I could go back further but that is about as far back as I remember with good recollection. UT has won (including this past Saturday) 9 times in a 34 year span over Florida. Definitely not the best winning percentage especially when you consider how UT has lost many of the matchups along with some of the loaded rosters UT had during that time frame. The interesting correlation between getting a win over UF and our success in a season is very interesting and telling.

1990: 45-3 win, SEC title, 8th in AP, and 9-2-2 overall.
1992: 31-14 win, Finished 12th in the AP with 9-3 record.
1998: 20-17 win, SEC & NC champs, 1st in AP, and undefeated finishing 13-0.
2001: 34-32 win, SECE champs, 4th in the AP, and 11-2 overall.
2003: 24-10 win, 15th in the AP, and finished 10-3.
2004: 30-28 win, SECE champs, 13th in the AP, and 10-3 overall.
Long azz drought
2016: 38-28 win, snapped 11 game losing streak, 22nd in the AP, and 9-4 overall.
2022: 38-33 win, Orange Bowl victory, 6th in the AP, would have been a playoff team in 2024 format, and 11-2 overall record.
2024: 23-17 win- TBD

Another nugget of info that also sticks out is that UT had at least a 9 win season if we beat UF over that stretch with this year TBD obviously. Now there are a few exceptions of high points and solid seasons with 1997 being the most notable when we won the SEC in Peyton's last year.

Would like to get the Board's thoughts and as always, GBO!!!

 

[superdave1984]

All that is nice, but I think we are wanting more than a perennial top 15 team. Sure beating the gators is great, but lets go mash bama and get some momentum going.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

All that is nice, but I think we are wanting more than a perennial top 15 team. Sure beating the gators is great, but lets go mash bama and get some momentum going.

Agreed

Pretty sure all UT fans can agree that we want to win big, starting with making a 12 team playoff. However, in the past, UT has gained great momentum by beating the gators. Our best seasons over that stretch include a win over UF. Also, I have watched enough bad UT football over the past 20 years and learned to appreciate top 15 finishes.

 

[08Vol]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

 

[Vol_fan_in_Tampa]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

As much as it could have been an absolute blowout had Nico connected with all of the deep shots

 

[Nicovfl8]

Go and beat Bama and everything is ahead of you. I think this game is really the season.

 

[Nicovfl8]

As much as it could have been an absolute blowout had Nico connected with all of the deep shots

exactly

 

[Frosty]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

And the game is a blowout if Nico doesn’t fumble on the first drive pulling the ball? We can play what if’s all day but we won.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

Perhaps

Both of UF's QBs had TD scoring drives though. Injuries are just part of the game. We lost our best run stuffing LB early in the game.

 

[OffTackleVol]

And the game is a blowout if Nico doesn’t fumble on the first drive pulling the ball? We can play what if’s all day but we won.

Exactly, we score a TD on our first possession instead of turning the ball over, who knows what kind of game may have materialized.

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

What if the frog had pockets? He would carry a gun and shoot the snake before getting bit.

Rejoice in the win instead of what ifs. You will never enjoy this sport, or potentially anything, if you get stuck in what ifs.

What if my daughter married a billionaire? What if my son hit a homer and got the phone call from the manager of the Braves? What if I got that promotion? You get the idea.

 

[superdave1984]

Go and beat Bama and everything is ahead of you. I think this game is really the season.

Until the uga game.

 

[UTFranklinVol]

It used to be that beating Florida was significant becase Florida was one of the toughest teams we played every year. The whole world is different now with conference expansion. Florida now is what, the 5th best team we will play all year? I mean their coach won't make it through the season.

We are 6 games in and we still have the 2 toughest games yet to play.

Prayers are appreciated

 

[McDad]

It used to be that beating Florida was significant becase Florida was one of the toughest teams we played every year. The whole world is different now with conference expansion. Florida now is what, the 5th best team we will play all year? I mean their coach won't make it through the season.

We are 6 games in and we still have the 2 toughest games yet to play.

Prayers are appreciated

Agree for the most part. I think what Pepper put together is valid. But for most of those games with Florida, they happened early in the season and they were significant because both teams were in the hunt for SEC and/or National championships.

Just spit balling here but it seems UT plays 3-5 teams every single year against either historically strong programs and programs having a peak period in their history. It's tough.

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Until the uga game.

But if we beat Bama and our only other loss is a close one to GA, then odds are in our favor to make playoffs and then you have a chance. Lose to Bama and GA playoffs only a dream.

 

[chuck0303]

What if the frog had pockets? He would carry a gun and shoot the snake before getting bit.

Rejoice in the win instead of what ifs. You will never enjoy this sport, or potentially anything, if you get stuck in what ifs.

What if my daughter married a billionaire? What if my son hit a homer and got the phone call from the manager of the Braves? What if I got that promotion? You get the idea.

The biggest word in the English language is "IF".

 

[PEPPERJAX]

Agree for the most part. I think what Pepper put together is valid. But for most of those games with Florida, they happened early in the season and they were significant because both teams were in the hunt for SEC and/or National championships.

Just spit balling here but it seems UT plays 3-5 teams every single year against either historically strong programs and programs having a peak period in their history. It's tough.

UT has also had some nice seasons when we beat mediocre/bad UF teams with 2022 being the most recent example.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Go and beat Bama and everything is ahead of you. I think this game is really the season.

Before the Florida game, it was go beat the Gators and everything is ahead of you. To stay in SEC title contention, every week is the next game of the season.

 

[Erich]

I was at the 1990 game. It was homecoming. The first game I brought my wife to. We crushed them and Spurrier was silenced. It was beautiful. Any year we beat them is beautiful. Y’all should enjoy this.

 

[VolForLife83]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

Could have and should have been a loss. The football Gods saved us with that JP strip fumble on the goal line. I'll take luck every time though

 

[tricky13]

Just remember this was probably going to be a loss if UF’s starting QB doesn’t go down. Lagway is a talented freshman that for the most part played like a freshman in a hostile road environment.

And…
IF Keenan Pili didn’t get hurt
IF Nico doesn’t fumble on that opening drive
IF Campbell and Heard don’t hold on the big Nico runs
IF Nimrod catches that last pass
…we win easily

 

[CAVPUT]

I have read through quite a few threads after the win Saturday and thought about how lopsided the series has been against UF since 1990. I could go back further but that is about as far back as I remember with good recollection. UT has won (including this past Saturday) 9 times in a 34 year span over Florida. Definitely not the best winning percentage especially when you consider how UT has lost many of the matchups along with some of the loaded rosters UT had during that time frame. The interesting correlation between getting a win over UF and our success in a season is very interesting and telling.

1990: 45-3 win, SEC title, 8th in AP, and 9-2-2 overall.
1992: 31-14 win, Finished 12th in the AP with 9-3 record.
1998: 20-17 win, SEC & NC champs, 1st in AP, and undefeated finishing 13-0.
2001: 34-32 win, SECE champs, 4th in the AP, and 11-2 overall.
2003: 24-10 win, 15th in the AP, and finished 10-3.
2004: 30-28 win, SECE champs, 13th in the AP, and 10-3 overall.
Long azz drought
2016: 38-28 win, snapped 11 game losing streak, 22nd in the AP, and 9-4 overall.
2022: 38-33 win, Orange Bowl victory, 6th in the AP, would have been a playoff team in 2024 format, and 11-2 overall record.
2024: 23-17 win- TBD

Another nugget of info that also sticks out is that UT had at least a 9 win season if we beat UF over that stretch with this year TBD obviously. Now there are a few exceptions of high points and solid seasons with 1997 being the most notable when we won the SEC in Peyton's last year.

Would like to get the Board's thoughts and as always, GBO!!!

So the floor is 3 losses and top 15. If I'm being honest, I'd take that right now.

 

[Cartervol]

So the floor is 3 losses and top 15. If I'm being honest, I'd take that right now.

I can't see it ending much better than that if this offense doesn't improve. That would be best case scenario IMO. Be a struggle to end up there right now. More likely 3 losses down the stretch if this continues.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

So the floor is 3 losses and top 15. If I'm being honest, I'd take that right now.

Me too cave putman!

 

[UTFranklinVol]

Agree for the most part. I think what Pepper put together is valid. But for most of those games with Florida, they happened early in the season and they were significant because both teams were in the hunt for SEC and/or National championships.

Just spit balling here but it seems UT plays 3-5 teams every single year against either historically strong programs and programs having a peak period in their history. It's tough.

Ya but in the 90s it was pretty much UT and UF and then everyone else. Whoever won that game was almost certain to go to the SEC championship. Not almost certain, certain. From its inception in 92 through 2001 the only teams that went from the East were UT or UF.

So if we beat Florida that was pretty much our ticket to the SECCG and a top tier bowl game.

These days (since the end of the Urban Meyer era) if you beat Florida it means you have 1 win over a mid level SEC team at best.

Let's not talk about the fact that even in those circumstances we still managed to lose to them over and over