For the First Time Since I was A One Year Old, Tennessee Will Beat Florida In Gainesville

Image: Michael Patrick/USA Today

By Aidan Sidoti

Ahh, I remember it like it was yesterday.

A muggy 2003 September afternoon in Gainesville, Florida.

James Banks caught a 48-yard hail mary from Casey Clausen as time expired in the first-half giving the Vols the lead.

A pair of Jabari Davis rushing touchdowns in the second-half put the game out of reach as the Volunteers hung on for a 24-10 win.

That was the last time Tennessee beat Florida in the swamp.

I was one year old.

Since then, it’s been heartbreak, blown leads, and the ghost of Tyree Cleveland haunting every Vol fan.

Ten straight losses.

Urban Meyer, Will Muschamp, Jim McElwain, Dan Mullen, it hasn’t mattered who’s been on that Florida sideline.

But this Saturday, the streak dies.

Tennessee enters the game as a four-point favorite, and yet somehow Florida, a 3-7 team with an interim head coach and a fanbase begging for relevance, gets a primetime slot at home on ABC.

Florida will also honor Urban Meyer during the game for his College Football Hall of Fame induction.

Yes, the architect of the past Vol nightmares will be back in Gainesville.

Obviously Florida is gonna pull out all the stops, what do they have to lose?

It won’t matter, though.

Over two decades of waiting ends now.

The streak ends Saturday night in the hands of Joey Aguilar.

Tennessee will beat Florida in Gainesville.

And I’ll actually be able to remember it this time around.