Tennessee @ Florida preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 15, 2012 ) Florida 37, Tennessee 20

Both Florida and Tennessee have suffered non-conference losses that dinged the SEC's lofty reputation, and one will suffer a setback in the quest for the SEC East title when the rivals square off Saturday. The 18th-ranked Gators hope a week off helps them set aside some of the sloppiness that led to a 21-16 loss at Miami. After opening the season with wins over Austin Peay and Western Kentucky, the Volunteers crashed back to reality in last week's 59-14 loss at Oregon.

Florida has won eight straight meetings, including a 37-20 win at Tennessee last year, but Gators coach Will Muschamp insists that hasn't diminished what was once among the premier rivalry games in the SEC. "It's still a huge rivalry," Muschamp told reporters. "It's a very important game at the University of Florida. … It's got a great, great history." Florida has not opened SEC play with a loss since 2004, when it lost 30-28 to the Volunteers on the road.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS. LINE: Florida -16.5.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (2-1): The Volunteers were optimistic for a bounce-back season under first-year coach Butch Jones but don't appear to be ready to compete with the nation's best after being overwhelmed against the Ducks. The Volunteers have put up solid numbers on the ground - mostly in their first two contests - with running back Rajion Neal (257 rushing yards, 4 TDs) leading the way, but the passing game has left something to be desired. In fact, offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian told reporters Wednesday that junior quarterback Justin Worley is competing with freshmen Nathan Peterman, Joshua Dobbs and Riley Ferguson and "the process could go all the way into pregame warm-ups."

ABOUT FLORIDA (1-1): The Gators were among the preseason favorites to win the division but can't afford an early slip-up with trips to LSU and South Carolina looming along with the annual neutral-site showdown with Georgia. Florida ranks third in the nation in total defense (208.5 yards per game), but the offense was plagued by five turnovers against Miami. Quarterback Jeff Driskel's inconsistency has been emblematic of the Florida offense, as the junior passed for a career-high 291 yards against the Hurricanes but also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Florida DB Vernon Hargreaves III has intercepted a pass in each of his first two collegiate games.

2. After forcing only 12 turnovers last season, the Volunteers are tied for third with nine takeaways this season, including seven interceptions.

3. The Gators have held opponents to 2-for-24 on third-down conversions, the best mark in the nation.

PREDICTION: Florida 27, Tennessee 16