Tennessee football is coming off a somewhat unexpected loss to Florida on the road, but claimed a win last time the teams were in Neyland Stadium.
Ahead of the home clash in 2024, I asked Jason Higdon of 1standTenFlorida questions to preview the game.
Here's what he had to say.
TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM
Tennessee won at home last time but fell on the road. How much of an advantage is the game being played in Neyland Stadium?
Anytime you get a SEC rival in your building it's a huge advantage. People are more comfortable at home vs. playing on the road not to mention the crowd noise in all SEC stadiums can at times be deafening. Playing at home can range anywhere from a three to five-point advantage depending on the teams playing.
What is the trust in Billy Napier heading into this season?
The people close to the program, the ones that truly understand things going on behind the scenes have pledged their full support of Coach Napier.
What do you think a successful year for Napier would look like?
Success can be defined differently for each team. For Florida, coming off three losing seasons in a row, success will mean taking steps forward from where you have been the last three seasons.
What are the expectations for Graham Mertz?
The expectations for Mertz are through the roof. Most people felt there would or should be no adjustment period for Mertz because he came to Florida with tons of playing time at the highest level. However, there was a big adjustment period for him, and they expect him to take a big step forward in 2024.
What are the projected strengths and weaknesses of the Gators this year?
I think the ground game will be a strength of this year's squad. Florida has multiple backs that giving the opportunity could run for 1,000 yards this season. Last year the defense did not play to their potential and most people will say that is the weakness until they prove it on the field.
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