Gators no-show in blowout loss

By Carlton Reese

GatorBait Media

Question: Was there even a game plan for this one? Did the Florida coaches and players watch any film of the Tennessee offense the week prior? To the naked eye, the clear answer to these questions is No. That is certainly giving the Gators the benefit of the doubt, for if they had watched film and had put together a game plan that resulted in Saturday night’s embarrassment, then basic competency comes in to question for all involved.

Florida won the opening coin toss and deferred the option, essentially putting Tennessee’s offense on the field first as though some big, bad statement were being made about the confidence in the Gator defense, depleted as it was. Tennessee opted for the run game mainly, but when Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar decided to throw, there were receivers left alone as lepers. Tennessee marched down the field on its first two drives as though it was scrimmaging against its own third-team defense.

When Florida took over on offense, it was clear the Vol coaches and players had watched plenty of film and devised a real plan. The Tennessee defenders knew exactly what was coming on every play and the life was sucked out of the Gators midway through the opening period. The Kentucky debacle was Ali-Frazier compared to what transpired at The Swamp tonight.

The shame of it all is that The Swamp was electric. That is, until Austin Barber was flagged for holding on a play in which running back Jadan Baugh hauled in a pass and juked his way inside the Tennessee 40. Instead of a strong answer to Tennessee’s opening-drive score, Florida was backed up inside its own 15 with quarterback DJ Lagway dangling on a hook just waiting to be devoured.

One might think a lower level Florida could not possibly reach, but there is more granite rock to blast through and that comes next week against a terrible Florida State team. The shame of a loss to a non-talented and seemingly rudderless Seminoles team would make everyone forget the shame of the Tennessee destruction as any defeat, no matter how close, would mark the lowest point in Florida football since Georgia Southern manhandled the Gators on that very same field nearly 12 years to the day.

Once Tennessee had taken complete control about three minutes into the game, something else was missing, besides the heart of those wearing blue jerseys. Also missing was the care of nearly 90,000 patrons in attendance and about all 273 people still watching on television as to what the outcome would be. All had mailed it in, as everyone started setting their phone alarms to about 4 p.m. Friday, at which point Lane Kiffin will have given his post-Egg Bowl interviews that could indicate whether or not he is headed to Gainesville next season.

There was no drama on the field, even amid desperate attempts to create some. Down 21-0 early in the second quarter, Jayden Woods strip-sacked Aguilar on a play that, statistically speaking, never ends up with the offense retaining possession. This time, it was actually the quarterback who recovered as no Florida defender had the temerity, neh, audacity, to fall on the ball. What could have sparked a small amount of emotion instead set up the Vols for a long run on the next play to the Gator 1. One play later, it was 28-0.

When Florida finally put together a drive, fueled by a long run by Lagway, the old Billy Napier playbook came out of retirement. On first down at the Tennessee 12, Lagway ran into the middle of the line on a well-conceived play that lost one yard. That was followed by an incomplete pass that led the receiver too much, a sack for a loss of 7 and a never-had-a-chance miss of a 38-yard field goal attempt by Trey Smack.

When Smack finally put Florida on the board with a 46-yard field goal late in the third quarter, the Gators trailed 31-3. Gator fans all know the significance of this score because it has been proven a game is not over. All remember 1994 in Tallahassee when the Gators led 31-3 in the fourth quarter against FSU, yet the Seminoles mustered up a comeback and won 31-31. So, it’s not over at 31-3, but this one was. This 2025 Gator team in no way reminds anyone of that ’94 Seminoles team.

The Tennessee Volunteers looked like world beaters Saturday night, but they most certainly are not. Even after what happened at The Swamp, Tennessee is yet to beat anybody. Anybody. They’ve rolled up gaudy offensive numbers against the likes of Syracuse (which only allowed 70 to Notre Dame Saturday), East Tennessee State, UAB and New Mexico State. In their three games this season against good opponents, Tennessee is 0-3. Does this demonstrate just how bad Florida is, or at least was on this night? The Gators fooled Tennessee fans into thinking their team belongs in mention with the game’s heavy hitters. The irony is that Vanderbilt is the juggernaut for Tennessee to finally prove its worth next week.

Enough about those guys, though; they don’t matter and haven’t for a very long time.

Only two things matter right now to Gator fans: beating Florida State and bringing in the coach for which everyone seems to be pining. On the first point, not Nostradamus, not Kreskin, nor Joyce Brothers could tell anyone what to expect. It’s Senior Night against an in-state rival, so it’s not too much to expect maximum preparation, effort and focus. If Vegas offers any prop bets in this regard, a wise man will stay away.

On the second point, it just needs to come to an end. Kiffin enjoys the attention and all the slobbering of Gator fans and boosters – if Florida wants a head coach with an unmanageable ego, it’s doing a great job of creating just that. Come coach the Gators or stay in Oxford; either way, let’s just get it over with already. If Florida’s current momentum is any indication, then be prepared for some more heartache.

Normally, a blowout loss to Tennessee tells Florida fans all they need to know about their team, but on this night, no one was told anything they didn’t already know. Tennessee beat up on a weakling and Florida played possum. Tennessee wanted this game, badly – it was symbolic for their program simply because of the logo they were facing and there was no way a 3-7 team with an interim coach was going to match that intensity. When FSU comes to town, it’ll be as though it never happened, perhaps because it never did matter.

Don’t worry, everyone – it’s almost over. The nightmare is almost over.