I can hear it now. The SEC on CBS jingle starts playing, and Verne Lundquist’s voice comes on to the television. I get chills just thinking about it. Not only is Florida/Tennessee one of the best rivalries in the SEC, but it also acts as the starting gun for SEC football season.
After a few cupcakes and non-conference matchups in the opening weeks of the season, Tennessee and Florida is usually that first big-time conference matchup of the season. The Gators and Volunteers have played in September in 23 of the last 25 years, with one of those being moved to December because of 9/11.