Week 3 Preview: #22 Tennessee (1-1) at # 5 Florida (2-0) | Gator Nation Report

Where: Gainesville, Fla.
When: 3:30 p.m EDT. Saturday
TV: CBS

This year's Florida-Tennessee matchup will feature two of the most talked about players in college football: Tim Tebow, and well.... Tim Tebow. The hype for UF's sophomore quarterback has so far outpaced his accomplishments on the field, but Saturday will prove whether Tebow is ready to become the superstar that Gators fans hope he'll be.

Tebow enters the game second in the country in passing efficiency and leads the SEC in total offense, with 333 yards per game. Those stats were posted against lesser teams, leaving Tebow with something to prove against SEC competition.

Tennessee comes into the Swamp with plenty to prove as well, opening its SEC schedule against the defending league and BCS champs. The Volunteer defense was shredded by Cal in its season opener, and the Gator offense has all the firepower needed to do the same.

The Volunteer offense has its own brand of firepower, led by senior quarterback Eric Ainge. Ainge leads the SEC with 273 passing yards per game and is the kind of veteran leader needed to help the Vols overcome the difficulties of winning in the Swamp.

The young Florida defense, with nine new starters, has looked shaky at times. Last week, Troy racked up 336 yards, mostly in the third quarter after Florida built a 49-7 halftime lead. The Gators won't be able to let their guard down against the Vols, who have the ground game needed to keep the Florida offense on the sideline.

Florida has won the last two games in the series, and Urban Meyer can become the first head coach in UF history to beat Tennessee his first three meetings. The series has been hotly contested of late, with six of the last nine games being decided by four points or less.

A determining factor in this game may be red-zone efficiency, converting scoring opportunities into touchdowns rather than settling for field goals.: Florida has been nearly perfect so far this year, with 13 TDs and 1 FG on 14 possessions inside the 20.

Look for a high-scoring contest that may not be settled until late in the second half. Whichever defense makes a key stop or gets a late turnover will turn the tide in its favor.

Florida Gator Nation Prediction: Florida 38, Tennessee 34