Mythical Playoffs Series - 98 Tennessee vs 00 Florida
By SECFans on June 23 2009 10:17 PM
Game Four: 1998 Tennessee Volunteers (13-0) vs 2000 Florida Gators (10-3)
Tale of the Tape:
'98 Tennessee:
Points Per Game: 33
Points Allowed Per Game: 15
Avg. Margin of Victory: 19
Key wins: #25 Syracuse, #5 Florida, #14 Georgia, #16 Arkansas, #3 Florida State
Losses: None
'00 Florida:
Points Per Game: 36
Points Allowed Per Game: 21
Avg. Margin of Victory: 25
Key wins: #18 Auburn, #19 South Carolina, #20 Georgia, #22 LSU,
Losses: #24 Mississippi State, #2 Miami, #5 Florida State
Argument for Tennessee:
This UT squad, minus Peyton Manning, managed to win the title in '98. Tee Martin led them there with a strong arm and decent running ability. It didn't hurt that his WR corps included Peerless Price, Cedric Wilson, and Jermaine Copeland. Travis Henry and Jamal Lewis handled the duties at RB and were both obviously quite talented. With the Gator defense allowing 21 ppg and the Vols offense thriving against tougher defenses than Florida's, they would be comfortable if the game turned into a track meet. Florida had uncharacteristically poor rushing defense in '00, even giving up an astounding 351 yards in a loss to Mississippi State earlier in the year. If the Vols can't get it done through the air, then they may have a shot on the ground. Defensive stars Al Wilson and Raynoch Thompson will certainly need to be ready.
Argument for Florida:
Skill players, skill players, skill players. Rex Grossman shared QB duties with Jesse Palmer, while Jabar Gaffney and Reche Caldwell anchored the WR corps. Earnest Graham and Robert Gillespie combined for over 1400 yards in 2000, and complemented the air attack nicely. Like every Spurrier coached UF squad, this team could score points...in bunches. The '98 Vols didn't see a lot of balanced offenses. They started the season with a scare surviving a scare against a balanced Syracuse squad 35-34. If the Gators can bring a 1-2 punch of air attack and ground game, they just might be able to squeak by.
How it Plays Out:
Florida may be the underdog coming into the game, but nobody told 'em. They start the game by getting after the UT secondary. Rex Grossman comes out firing and finds Reche Caldwell for a 52 yard bomb setup by a series of short passes. Tennessee tries to answer, but Jamal Lewis gets the ball stripped from behind by Lito Sheppard. In true Spurrier fashion, the Gators go straight for the end zone in an attempt to capitalize off of the turnover. Caldwell had drawn a double team, and Taylor Jacobs managed to get behind the defense to snag a 37 yard TD. 14-0 Florida.
In an attempt to regroup and keep the Gator offense off the field, Fulmer changes his approach. Using Lewis and Henry as seemingly interchangeable parts, the Volunteers grind out a 13 play, 62 yard drive resulting in a field goal. Florida used the subsequent drive to provide the fans with another air show. Marching down the field with three passes, including a 28 yard screen to Gillespie, the Gators managed another scoring drive. This time, a Jeff Chandler field goal was the result, putting Florida up 17-3.
With their backs against the wall, UT had no choice but to look to Tee Martin to jump start the offense. And that's exactly what he did. Opening the 2nd half, the Volunteers put together another lengthy and time consuming drive, but this time finding the end zone. After a long pass to Price, Martin took the ball under center with a 1st and goal from the 8 yard line. With protection breaking down, Tee Martin took off, dragging Andra Davis across the goal line.
On Florida's ensuing drive, Al Wilson forced a fumble and Deon Grant scooped it up for a TD. Tied 17-17 with 6:17 left in the 3rd, the Gators and Vols turned the game into a score fest. Grossman found Gaffney and Caldwell for scores. UT's Price took a wide receiver screen 71 yards to the house. Following another Florida turnover, the Volunteer ground game made its mark with an 81 yard drive, most of which belonged to Jamal Lewis. Henry gave Lewis a breather, long enough to find the end zone on a 4 yard scamper, putting the score at an even 31-31.
Late in the 4th Quarter, a lengthy UF drive led to zero points, but left the Vols with the ball deep in their own territory and only 2:27 left on the clock. Peerless Price only needed a few seconds. Shaking Lito Sheppard on a quick screen, Peerless took a pass from Martin to the house for his second long score of the day.
Final Score: Tennessee 38 Florida 31Link to Bracket (possible spoiler)
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Tags: SEC, Florida, Tennessee, RexGrossman,PeerlessPrice,TeeMartin,JamalLewis,TravisHenry
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