College Football: 20 best rivalry games to watch in 2018

SOUTH BEND, IN - OCTOBER 21: The USC Trojans face off at the line of scrimmage against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during a game at Notre Dame Stadium on October 21, 2017 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame won 49-14. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

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GAINESVILLE, FL – SEPTEMBER 16: The line of scrimmage is seen during the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

9. Florida vs. Tennessee

Florida vs. Tennessee might be one of the late-blooming rivalries in college football, but both teams have had plenty of hostility to go around for almost three decades. The rivalry itself picked up the intensity in 1992. When the SEC expanded to 12, both teams were placed in the East Division. The Gators and Volunteers have played every year since then.

Both teams were National Championship contenders in the 1990s and early 2000s, intensifying this rivalry.

The 1997 matchup was one of the best during the 1990s. During that decade. the second highest-ranked SEC team was invited to play in the Citrus Bowl. Florida head coach Steve Spurrier, who loved to poke fun at rivals, made jokes directed at Tennessee during the Gator Booster dinner in the spring of 1997. He said, “You can’t spell Citrus without UT”, suggesting Volunteers’ quarterback Peyton Manning had returned for his senior season because “he wants to be a three-time Citrus Bowl MVP”.

While Florida won 33-20, ironically, an upset loss to LSU and Georgia put the Gators in that year’s Citrus Bowl. On the flip side, Tennessee and Manning won their first SEC Championship Game and went on to play in the 1998 Orange Bowl.

Like many other rivalries, Florida/Tennessee has several games decided by controversial calls. 2000’s game became famous for a questionable catch. Down by 23-20 late in the game, Florida began a drive deep in their own territory. Gator quarterback Jesse Palmer led the team down the field, and with 14 seconds, they had a first and goal at the Volunteers’ 3-yard line. Palmer lofted a pass to receiver Jabar Gaffney in the end zone.

Gaffney had the ball in his hands briefly before it was quickly slapped away by Volunteers’ corner Willie Miles. However, the official signaled a touchdown. After a brief meeting between the officials, the call was confirmed. Florida won 27–23. Needless to say, Tennessee and their fans were infuriated.

While the series record for this game is a narrow gap with Florida leading 27-20, the Gators have dominated this rivalry over last 12 years. In fact, Tennessee has only won one game since 2005. This game will feature new head coaches leading the charge with Dan Mullen on Florida’s sideline and Jeremy Pruitt on Tennessee’s sideline. This will be one of the most compelling games to watch in the SEC this year.