Know Your Opponent: Tennessee

This Saturday the Gators play their second SEC East opponent, the Volunteers from the University of Tennessee. Blount College, the predecessor of the University of Tennessee, was founded in Knoxville in 1794. In 1828, the school, then known as East Tennessee University, relocated to its current site. The university now enrolls over 27,000 students, including over 21,000 undergrads. Tennessee’s school colors are orange and white.

The last time the Gators played in Knoxville, they had to 
overcome a 7-point third-quarter deficit. An 80-yard TD dash
from Trey Burton tied the game, while a 23-yard reception by
Jordan Reed put the Gators up for good.
John Sommers II/Getty Images North America

The Tennessee Volunteers have a long and successful tradition in playing football. The University of Tennessee’s football program began in 1891 and derives its nickname from its state’s moniker, “the volunteer state.” Tennessee is a charter member of the Southeastern Conference and has played in the SEC since 1933. The Vols have won 13 SEC titles, second all-time behind Alabama’s 23. Tennessee’s first conference title was won in 1938; the Volunteers' most recent was in 1998.

The Volunteers play home games in the colossal Neyland Stadium, which can seat in excess of 102,000 fans. Only Michigan Stadium, Beaver Stadium, Kyle Field, and Ohio Stadium exceed Neyland Stadium in capacity. The largest crowd to witness a Tennessee home game numbered 109,061 and saw the Volunteers defeat the Florida Gators 30-28.

The University of Tennessee claims six national titles, although only four (1938, 1950, 1951, and 1998) were granted by major polls and only two (1951 and 1998) were awarded by the AP. Tennessee has never produced a Heisman winner, although alums Johnny Majors and Peyton Manning are among the most famous runners-up for the award. The 1998 squad finished with a perfect 13-0 record, defeated Florida State 23-16 in the Fiesta Bowl, and secured the inaugural BCS national championship.

Florida and Tennessee first played one another in football in 1916, although the conference rivalry has only been played on an annual basis since 1990. The Gators and Vols have played a total of 43 games; Florida has won 24 of those games, while Tennessee has won 19. Tennessee won the first 10 games of the series and didn’t lose to the Gators until 1954. Since that year, the Gators have held a 24-9 advantage in total wins-losses. In addition, the Gators have not lost to the Vols since 2004. The rivalry peaked in intensity in the 1990s and early 2000s, when both teams dominated the SEC East division. Usually played early in the SEC season, the Florida-Tennessee game was critical for either team to win the conference championship.

Although the Pride of the Southland Band (Tennessee's marching band) and UT's fans are well known for playing and singing a cover of the Osborne Brothers' "Rocky Top" as a school song, their actual fight song is "Down the Field".