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Steve Spurrier believes Florida now has 'different expectations' for Tennessee game

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•10/07/24•

ChandlerVessels

Steve Spurrier
© Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Spurrier wouldn’t count Florida out Saturday against Tennessee based on what he saw out of both teams this past week. The Gators notched their second straight win, taking out UCF by a score of 24-13, and the former coach came away impressed with the defense.

Meanwhile, the Vols dropped their first game of the season on the road in a 19-14 loss to Arkansas. Spurrier believes that gives Florida higher hopes of a victory than it might have had if Tennessee won that game.

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“The Gators really played well,” he said on Another Dooley Noted Podcast. “I think our energy and our fight was the best I’ve seen all year. Defense really won the game for us. The offense played well the first half. Didn’t do much the second half. But the defense came to play, so that was encouraging. Now that Tennessee lost to Arkansas, we can go up there with a little different expectations.”

Florida has operated with Graham Mertz as its starting quarterback with DJ Lagway mixing in on a few plays as well over the past few weeks. The Gators got off to a quick start Saturday as Mertz led them to a touchdown on the opening drive. They went on to lead 24-3 at halftime but the offenses stalled out in the second half.

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It was the defense, however, that played a full game and inspired so much confidence from Spurrier. Florida looked arguably the best it has at any point this season, coming away with five sacks and forcing a late interception to seal the win.

That defense will certainly be tested against a Tennessee offense led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava. The Vols put up big numbers in the first few games this season but have seemed to hit a wall in their first two SEC games.

Florida will hope it can keep them in check again as it prepares to kick off against Tennessee at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.