Tennessee still respects Gators despite slow start

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Posted 7:13AM on Friday, September 20, 2002

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - Neither Florida nor Tennessee thinks their offenses have played well so far. The No. 10 Gators (2-1) just happen to be getting more criticism for it as they prepare to visit No. 4 Tennessee (2-0) on Saturday in the Southeastern Conference opener for both schools. Florida could blame it on having a new coach. The only loss, 41-16, was to top-ranked Miami in the second game of the season. Fans at last week's 34-6 win over Ohio were so disgusted with the miscues, they booed. The Gators understand the criticism. ``That's why you're at the University of Florida. Our people care,'' Ron Zook, who replaced Steve Spurrier, said. ``They know what's expected of them. They want to play well. They're going do everything they can to play well.'' Tennessee, meanwhile, has had a week off to sit back and correct the mistakes made against Wyoming and Middle Tennessee. ``Offensively, the penalties, ball security (and) execution are areas we need to do things better,'' Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer said. Despite the criticism of Florida, Tennessee has plenty of respect for the Gators. Only in the past four years has Tennessee made the recent series competitive, each team winning two games. After the Vols won 31-14 at home in 1992, Florida reeled off five straight wins. Tennessee couldn't keep up with Spurrier's high-scoring Fun 'n' Gun offense. Tennessee ended the overall losing streak in 1998 with a field goal in overtime. The Vols then stopped a 20-year losing streak in Gainesville last year with a dominating running game and defense that kept the pressure on Gators quarterback Rex Grossman. Gator fans may be worried the Zook era is off to a bad start. But the Vols think differently. ``If they were watching the same game I got to see, they looked pretty good,'' Tennessee receiver Jomo Fagan said of Florida's 34-6 win over Ohio. The oddsmakers aren't as optimistic, listing Florida as a four-point underdog on Thursday. ``I think they might go into the game thinking that we're not as good as we really are, so that's probably an advantage for us,'' Grossman said. That's how Tennessee felt a year ago. ``Last year they were an 18-point favorite and we went in there and beat them, Tennessee offensive tackle Will Ofenheusle said. Florida still has most of the same players from last year. One player the Gators didn't have last year and really needed was running back Earnest Graham, the team's leading rusher who sat out with a sprained knee. Graham is back this year and should make defending the Gators more difficult. ``Florida has lots of weapons in its running game, including (backup RBs) Ray Carthon and Willie Green,'' Fulmer said. ``The Gators' offense is much more than the Rex Grossman show.'' Tennessee is also getting back a key player, and the Vols are hoping receiver Kelley Washington will put on a show of his own. Washington missed the first two games because of a sprained knee. Quarterback Casey Clausen is thrilled to get him back. ``The big-play ability that he brings is the biggest thing,'' Clausen said.