Steve Spurrier shares optimism for Florida’s chances against Tennessee in Week 7

Steve Spurrier knows the Florida-Tennessee rivalry as well as anyone.

Spurrier, from Johnson City, Tennessee, was Florida’s head coach during the rivalry’s peak in the 1990s. He’s been away from coaching college football since 2015, but still follows the sport closely. Ahead of Saturday’s rivalry clash on Rocky Top, Spurrier discussed the game with Pat Dooley, the former sports columnist for the Gainesville Sun.

Florida has had an up-and-down start to the 2024 season. The Gators have blowout losses at home to Miami and Texas A&M. Billy Napier’s team climbed above .500 for the first time in 2024 with Saturday’s 24-13 home win over UCF.

“That was a big win for us, for Napier, the staff and now let’s keep that momentum going,” Spurrier said on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. “We’re certainly capable of beating Tennessee. If Arkansas can beat them, we can beat them. If we play a good game and we’re up for it, we certainly have a chance to beat them.”

Tennessee dropped from No. 4 to No. 8 in the AP Top 25 after losing 19-14 at Arkansas, the first loss of the season for Josh Heupel’s team.

Arkansas limited Tennessee to season lows of 65 plays and 332 yards of total offense. Florida is coming off its best defensive performance of the season, limiting UCF to 108 rushing yards and 165 passing yards over 62 snaps (4.40 yards per play). That Gators, though, memorably gave up 7.67 yards per play against Miami and 6.78 against Texas A&M.

The Vols are expected to right the ship in Neyland Stadium. The latest betting line at FanDuel Sportsbook has Tennessee as a heavy favorite of 15.5 points. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Volunteers an 86.9% chance of picking up the win.

Saturday’s game is set for a 7 p.m. ET kickoff, airing on ESPN.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.