Florida-Tennessee still has drama without Spurrier

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Posted 6:23PM on Friday, September 15, 2006

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - The theatrics Steve Spurrier created when he had a starring role in the Florida-Tennessee rivalry were hard to top. Now five years after Spurrier left the Gators, the dialogue isn't as punchy but there's still plenty of drama for one of the biggest matchups in the Southeastern Conference. Seventh-ranked Florida visits No. 13 Tennessee on Saturday in a game that as usual will help shape the SEC East race. Among the leading characters in this year's act is quarterback Chris Leak, playing his final game of the series in Knoxville, where he spent many days watching his older brother C.J. and his Tennessee teammates. Then Chris spurned the Vols during recruiting and chose their arch rivals. For Tennessee, David Cutcliffe has returned to his role as offensive coordinator coaching in his first Florida-Tennessee game since 1998. While Cutcliffe was the Vols' play-caller and mentor to Peyton Manning, Tennessee couldn't match Spurrier's Fun 'n' Gun offense and lost five straight to the Gators. Lately, the series has been filled with special effects heavy rain and fumbles, Hail Mary passes, controversial penalties, game-winning kicks and botched punt fakes. Each team has won twice since 2002. ``This is a great matchup. This is what college football's all about. This is why you get up in the morning and shave and go to work and take care of yourself. You want to coach and play in games like this,'' said Florida coach Urban Meyer, who is going for a second straight win over the Vols. Only Spurrier, Georgia's Mark Richt and Auburn's Tommy Tuberville have beaten Tennessee under coach Phillip Fulmer in back-to-back years. A Tennessee player got in trouble a few years ago for telling reporters the coaches got uptight during Florida week, but it's clear this is serious business for Fulmer. ``I'm excited, and I know our football team is. How can it get any better national television, 108,000 fans in a wonderful setting, two teams with 2-0 records fighting for leadership in the SEC East?'' he said. A win over Florida would be huge for the Vols and Fulmer coming off last year's 5-6 campaign. Fulmer at least won't have to deal with any more of those Spurrierisms like ``can't spell Citrus without UT.'' Tennessee critics backed off some after the Volunteers opened the season with a convincing 35-18 win over then-No. 9 California, breaking a six-game losing streak to top 10 teams in Neyland Stadium. One of the nation's worst offenses a year ago has looked revived with Cutcliffe in charge of developing quarterback Erik Ainge. ``It's never been frustrating,'' Cutcliffe said about Florida series. ``It's competition. It's what you're in this for. It's what you like. It's a challenge. Every year you know it's going to be a challenge, but that's what you hope to be in in this business.'' Meyer has been working on toughening his players so they will play better on the road. The Gators were 1-3 a year ago in SEC road games, and Florida faithful are hoping Meyer can show the program is headed back toward the greatness it achieved under Spurrier. Leak knows all about playing in Neyland Stadium. He was a guest at several games, scrimmages and practices after his older brother C.J. transferred to Tennessee. But when C.J., a reserve QB, was yanked from a game he started, Chris was no longer interested in going to Tennessee. Leak has been criticized in his career despite prolific statistics for not getting the Gators championships. Beating Tennessee would be a step toward that. ``It's going to be a special moment for myself, my family, my teammates,'' Leak said. ``I've been watching it for years, ever since I was a kid. It's always been a great game. I'm just anticipating trying to soak everything in and sit back and make sure my teammates enjoy the game.'' AP Sports Writer Mark Long in Florida contributed to this report. (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)