Florida vs Tennessee kickoff announced for the time Gators fans were begging for

​Florida will host Tennessee in the primetime slot on ABC (7:30 p.m. ET), giving Gator fans at least one more night game at the Swamp to enjoy this season. 

The game will signal the end of an era as the annual meeting between old SEC East rivals will not happen in 2026. Tennessee was not named as one of Florida's annual opponents. The Gators will travel to Knoxville in 2027 and the Volunteers will return the favor in 2029. 

It's been 22 years and counting

​There are three guarantees in life — death, taxes and Florida whipping Tennessee at the Swamp. The last time Tennessee won in Gainesville was September 20, 2003, during the second year of Ron Zook's rather forgettable tenure. Since then, Florida has won 10 straight against Tennessee at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium and the overall record is 18-4. 

Tennessee won last year's game at Knoxville, 23-17 in overtime, but the Volunteers haven't won consecutive games against the Gators since 2003-2004. The biggest game in Florida-Tennessee history was easily the 1996 clash between the No. 4 Gators and No. 2 Volunteers. The Gators jumped out to a 35-0 lead on the road and held on to win 35-29 en route to the program's first national title. 

That game was also the debut of the SEC on CBS, and the opening still gives me chills to this day. 

Expect the Gators to still get up for rivalry games

Even in the worst of Florida football seasons, the Gators have plenty to play for. This week offers another opportunity to smack around Tennessee at home and the following Saturday is a chance to bury the Seminoles and possibly send Mike Norvell packing (although many FSU fans would probably be happy to see that).

Things haven't worked out like anyone hoped, but there's still something about taking down a rival in front of the home crowd as a lead-in to a brighter future (and an exciting new coach maybe...). Bowl season in Gainesville starts Saturday.