Lost amid all the talk about Lane Kiffin, it is almost easy to forget that the Florida Gators are taking on Tennessee on Saturday at 7:30 PM. The Gators are simply playing for pride as they have no pathway to bowl eligibility, while Tennessee is trying to win out and reach ten wins for the third time in the last four seasons.
Beyond the fact that it is wild that this game is taking place in Week 13 of the season rather than in September, and the fact that these two teams will not play each other next year as the SEC moves to a new format for scheduling, these are the three storylines that will define Florida vs. Tennessee.
Can Florida keep its home streak alive?
Florida has not lost to Tennessee at home ever since Urban Meyer arrived to town. One would have to go back to 2003 to find the last time the Volunteers beat Florida in Gainesville. There is a good chunk of Florida's roster that wasn't even alive the last time that happened.
Meyer, Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen, and even Billy Napier have all managed to hold serve at home against the Volunteers.
Florida is only a 4.5-point underdog in this game, and for all the issues they have had during the Billy Napier Era, they have usually played well as a home underdog.
What will be the reception for Urban Meyer?
Speaking of Urban Meyer, he will be in town and will be honored as part of his induction into the College Football Hall of Fame.
One would think, given the accomplishments of Meyer in Gainesville, that he is a lock to get a hero's welcome, but there has also been this weird energy that follows Meyer, and there is a segment of the Gator fanbase that doesn't fully embrace Meyer even after the two national titles.
The irony of it is that Florida's last four coaches have all been chasing the ghosts that Meyer left behind.
What will be the impact of Caleb Banks returning?
In terms of on-field play, it will be interesting to see how much of an impact Caleb Banks has in his return. Banks was hurt in the first two games of the season, returned against LSU, got hurt again, and had surgery, but has finally been cleared to return against Tennessee.
Florida is going to need him, too, as the Gators were gashed on the ground by Ole Miss last week, and Tennessee's offense could absolutely do the same if Florida's defensive line fails to hold up.