Tennessee and Florida not a rivalry?

#1
IPorange

IPorange

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#1
Speaking to a colleague from South Florida, I mentioned the Florida-Tennessee rivalry. She laughed. I asked her what was so f*#%ing funny. She told me that Florida's rivals were Florida State, Miami, and Georgia. I waxed poetic and told her tales of triumph and misery between the two programs' series over the last 20 years. I told her how it used to decide the SEC East.

"Ya, when is the last time you beat them in football? You may think they're your rivals, but that doesn't make you rivals to them."


After I finished covering the shallow grave I dropped her off in after our meeting, I wiped the crimson-stained dirt off my hands and tried to think about what she said unemotionally. Is Tennessee currently a legitimate "rival" of Florida's? Does it matter that we haven't beat them in more than half a decade?

They certainly aren't a historical rival, really. Not like Alabama, Kentucky, or Vanderbilt. We haven't been competitive with them lately either...

What say you, Vol Nation?
 
#3
#3
It hasn't really been all that much of a rivalry the last decade......I think we hate them more than they hate us
 
#4
#4
IPorange said:
Speaking to a colleague from South Florida, I mentioned the Florida-Tennessee rivalry. She laughed. I asked her what was so f*#%ing funny. She told me that Florida's rivals were Florida State, Miami, and Georgia. I waxed poetic and told her tales of triumph and misery between the two programs' series over the last 20 years. I told her how it used to decide the SEC East.

"Ya, when is the last time you beat them in football? You may think they're your rivals, but that doesn't make you rivals to them."


After I finished covering the shallow grave I dropped her off in after our meeting, I wiped the crimson-stained dirt off my hands and tried to think about what she said unemotionally. Is Tennessee currently a legitimate "rival" of Florida's? Does it matter that we haven't beat them in more than half a decade?

They certainly aren't a historical rival, really. Not like Alabama, Kentucky, or Vanderbilt. We haven't been competitive with them lately either...

What say you, Vol Nation?
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What does she know? But if that's the case, Kentucky and Vanderbilt are not our rivals
 
#5
#5
Well, it really depends on how old you are, I suppose. The old schoolers consider bama to be the rivalry and the younger folks tend to lean toward florida being the rivalry. But that's just my opinion.
 
#6
#6
She's right. We are pretty far down the list for florida. Kinof like vandy is for us.
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#7
#7
I would say Tennessee fans spend more time day dreaming about this game as opposed to Florida fans. I actually sat in the UF section in Neyland at this years game and their fans were pretty apathetic about beating us again. Beating us again was nothing special to them.

Obviously it is irrelevant now, but if Kiffin had stayed the rivalry had the potential to be absolutely filthy.
 
#10
#10
I agree with your friend. Do we consider Vandy a rival? FL probably looks at us in a similar tone.

I never have considered FL a rival. I used to consider it a big game, but not a rivalary. A big game is not always a rivalry.
 
#11
#11
We are nothing more than Vandy or Kentucky to them until we can beat them on a regular basis.
 
#12
#12
ole_orange said:
I would say Tennessee fans spend more time day dreaming about this game as opposed to Florida fans. I actually sat in the UF section in Neyland at this years game and their fans were pretty apathetic about beating us again. Beating us again was nothing special to them.

Obviously it is irrelevant now, but if Kiffin had stayed the rivalry had the potential to be absolutely filthy.
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Eh. Urban wouldn't have been around.
 
#13
#13
Rivalry got ratcheted up in 90's [Spurrier]. Alabama is much more of a rivalry. That said; Tennessee/Florida week will mean as much to Gator fans as it does to Vols fans, when we actually start beating them again.
 
#14
#14
Even though we haven't won in a while, it's not like they don't put a lot of emphasis on the match up.

No matter what some say, Alabama is our biggest rival. We absolutely hate Florida, and if you turn it around I'd bet some of their fans think they're our biggest rival, but they simply are not. I'm not surprised they don't see us as a top rival.
 
#15
#15
IPorange said:
Speaking to a colleague from South Florida, I mentioned the Florida-Tennessee rivalry. She laughed. I asked her what was so f*#%ing funny. She told me that Florida's rivals were Florida State, Miami, and Georgia. I waxed poetic and told her tales of triumph and misery between the two programs' series over the last 20 years. I told her how it used to decide the SEC East.

"Ya, when is the last time you beat them in football? You may think they're your rivals, but that doesn't make you rivals to them."


After I finished covering the shallow grave I dropped her off in after our meeting, I wiped the crimson-stained dirt off my hands and tried to think about what she said unemotionally. Is Tennessee currently a legitimate "rival" of Florida's? Does it matter that we haven't beat them in more than half a decade?

They certainly aren't a historical rival, really. Not like Alabama, Kentucky, or Vanderbilt. We haven't been competitive with them lately either...

What say you, Vol Nation?
Click to expand...

Your problem is your trying to have a logical conversation about sports with a woman. Not just that either. A woman from south Florida. Maybe try telling her she looks pretty or to make you a sandwich or something.

;)
 
#16
#16
BigT_Chief said:
Well, it really depends on how old you are, I suppose. The old schoolers consider bama to be the rivalry and the younger folks tend to lean toward florida being the rivalry. But that's just my opinion.
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While this is true and I agree, there is a matter of divisional rivalry that has cropped up since 1992. To win the eastern division of the SEC it's very important to beat Florida. I think that fact is what heated up the "rivalry" between the two schools.
 
#19
#19
I've been a vol my whole life, but since I've been a die hard fan,,, I haven't seen my beloved vols beat flour-duh!!!! 2011 will be rewarding:loco::rock::dance::clapping:
 
#21
#21
BigT_Chief said:
Well, it really depends on how old you are, I suppose. The old schoolers consider bama to be the rivalry and the younger folks tend to lean toward florida being the rivalry. But that's just my opinion.
Click to expand...

At 18 years old I fall into the newer fan category and I definitely grew up thinking that Florida was THE game. However, since Saban arrived at Alabama I have developed an irrational hatred of all things Crimson. My hatred of Alabama is stronger than any hate I ever harbored against the Gators.
 
#22
#22
Before Florida came along, bama was the rival and to me it still is, because when I was a little kid I remember the trailer park tide use to step on our chest and laugh at us. For some of you youngsters that don't know we had a pretty good rivalry with Auburn back in the 80's. But then came the gators who I didn't know they had a football team until 1992 (joke). They arrogant Jort wearing over grown lizards, They think they are gods gift to football!!

As for me, both the trailer park tide & the gators can go to hell!!!!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#23
#23
ole_orange said:
At 18 years old I fall into the newer fan category and I definitely grew up thinking that Florida was THE game. However, since Saban arrived at Alabama I have developed an irrational hatred of all things Crimson. My hatred of Alabama is stronger than any hate I ever harbored against the Gators.
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Now you know how us old dogs feel about alabubba!!
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#24
#24
Cyclopskiller said:
I've been a vol my whole life, but since I've been a die hard fan,,, I haven't seen my beloved vols beat flour-duh!!!! 2011 will be rewarding:loco::rock::dance::clapping:
Click to expand...

I was in 6th grade the last time we beat UF. As soon as Wilhoit kicked it chaos insued in my bonus room. I will never forget everyone in my family running around like our hair was on fire. Sweet memories.
 
#25
#25
ole_orange said:
I was in 6th grade the last time we beat UF. As soon as Wilhoit kicked it chaos insued in my bonus room. I will never forget everyone in my family running around like our hair was on fire. Sweet memories.
Click to expand...

Not very ole are ya?
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
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