Phillip Fulmer, Tee Martin discuss Tennessee-Florida rivalry, recall 1998 win over Steve Spurrier’s Gators
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Florida and Tennessee have been embroiled in some big games during a series that began in 1916 but intensified starting in 1990, as both programs have played each other every year since that season.
Florida holds a 31-20 edge in the series and has won the last 5 meetings. It recalls the mid-1990s, when Steve Spurrier’s Gators won 5 in a row over the Vols during the latter’s first 5 years at Rocky Top.
“Tennessee and Florida,” Fulmer said with a chuckle, when asked during an interview on College GameDay about what defines a rivalry in college football.
Fulmer’s Vols finally beat Spurrier’s Gators in 1998, motivated in part by Spurrier’s “You can’t spell Citrus without U-T” declaration that Spurrier would call a “corny joke”.
“It didn’t go over good with us. That ’98 group, we called a players-only meeting, ‘How long are we going to sit here and get laughed at?'” said former Tennessee standout Tee Martin.
That one ended 20-17 in favor of Tennessee, just 1 of 2 times Fulmer beat Spurrier head-to-head. Fulmer, Spurrier, and Martin all sat down for a College GameDay segment ahead of the latest chapter in the series, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET from Neyland Stadium.
"You find out really quickly how much those two teams hate each other."
The Florida-Tennessee rivalry is one of the most anticipated in the SEC and means even more to the fans on Rocky Top ?? pic.twitter.com/wHv3P0QiLh
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 24, 2022
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
