Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) leaps for the end zone as he’s hit by Appalachian State linebacker Kennan Gilchrist (6), defensive lineman Caleb Fuller (51) and defensive back Desmond Franklin (34) during overtime of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Sept. 1, 2016 in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 20-13. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)
Saturday, Sept. 24, 2016 | 2 a.m.
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We’re entering the third season of the annual South Point-lined Play of the Day competition, effective July 1.
Starting bankrolls have reset to $10,000, with the maximum bet being to win $1,000 and the minimum wager $300. Ray Brewer won the 2015-2016 season, after Taylor Bern prevailed in 2014-2015.
Tennessee minus-6.5 vs. Florida: $770 to win $700
More Tennessee players would probably prefer winning an SEC Championship over beating the Gators. But I’m not convinced it’s a vast majority.
That’s how much today’s matchup means to the Volunteers. They’ve lost 11 straight to a team they’d likely consider their biggest rival, and are sick of hearing about it.
Luckily for them, this might be the first time in the entire span that they clearly have the better team. The series was evenly matched the last two years, with Tennessee losing by a point in each game despite slim yardage edges.
Last year’s collapse was particularly noteworthy, as Florida scored two touchdowns in the final five minutes to eke out a victory. Almost all of Tennessee’s starters today played in that game, and have remembered it for the entire year.
The one time the Volunteers’ offense was fully engaged this season, it looked lethal in a 45-24 victory over Virginia Tech. It’s certainly going to be able to move the ball better than Florida, who’s turning to Purdue transfer Austin Appleby at quarterback with starter Luke Del Rio injured.
I’ll concede Florida has been more impressive this year with a defense that measures as the best in the country, but it hasn’t played a single decent team. Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs and his teammates will take the Gators for surprise with their intensity.
Current Standings: Bern (12-8, $11,767), Keefer (13-10-1, $10,321), Brewer (11-10, $10,305)
Case Keefer can be reached at 702-948-2790 or [email protected]. Follow Case on Twitter at twitter.com/casekeefer.
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