Parker: Underdog Vols need near-perfect effort in The Swamp

Tailback Montario Hardesty and the Tennessee ground game needs to have a big day in Gainesville on Saturday. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Claws are sunk deep into the padded table with teeth clinched tightly together as the warm adhesive is applied and ready to be removed, taking with it 8-inch hairs with roots dangling on the tip.

In other words, Tennessee fans aren't looking forward to this year's edition of the rivalry with No. 1-ranked Florida with quite as much enthusiasm as they did years ago.

Don't get me wrong, the hate for one another is still Grade A. There's sure to be plenty of finger pointing around the water cooler come Monday morning as co-workers come to the realization that it will be time to settle up on bets.

Note: Vegas has the Vols as 30-point underdogs.

"Regardless of what the spread is or who's the favorite or who's the underdog, it's a big-time matchup," Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin said. "It's one that a lot of these kids have been watching for years and years growing up. I would be shocked if either side needs to motivate players."

Kiffin's comments made at his first press conference in Knoxville add a certain flare to this edition as the quotes were plastered for all the Gators to see around the football facility in Gainesville.

The 34-year old's words are now infamous with the hype this week hitting a fever pitch: "I'm really looking forward to embracing some of the great traditions at the University of Tennessee, for instance the Vol Walk, running through the T, singing Rocky Top all night long after we beat Florida next year. It will be a blast."

However, news services always seem to leave out the line that followed: "That line was (athletic director) Mike (Hamilton)'s idea, by the way; all right, (Florida coach) Urban (Meyer)?"

Nevertheless, what's done is done. There was no hiding Kiffin accusing Meyer of cheating by calling recruit Nu'Keese Richardson during an official visit to UT. Kiffin made a mistake in his interpretation of the NCAA rules and had to swallow his foot on that one.

It's all irrelevant though. Meyer has never been one to throttle down against the Vols, even with the game well in hand. In his first meeting against the Vols, he called a timeout with 57 seconds left and threw a pass to the end zone despite being ahead by two scores.

If UT truly wants to pull off an upset of epic proportions they'll have to swat away all the annoying statistics, rankings, etc., that have been thrown at them. When the opening kickoff is tumbling through the sky come Saturday afternoon, none of that matters.

It's an undeniable fact that Florida is faster, more talented and more experienced than Tennessee this year. It will take a near-perfect performance to escape with a win. Here are a few keys:

There won't be room for anymore mental mistakes from receivers like Gerald Jones (4) when it comes to route running. (T-G Photo by Danny Parker) [Click to enlarge]

Speed kills, let it. It doesn't do a linebacker who runs a 4.5 much good if he's rocketed himself completely out of position to make a play. UT must make use of screens, draws, misdirection and perhaps even some trickeration to get the Gators to think before they react.

Game Maxim No. 1: The team that makes the fewest mistakes will win. The Vols have shot themselves in the foot so many times in this rivalry of late they're walkin' on nubs. They turned the ball over in three of their first four drives in last year's 30-6 loss. That can't happen. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton must be smart with the football both while handing it off and putting it in the air.

Come out swingin'. Sometimes the best way to get a bully to give you respect is by punching him in the mouth. A few You Tube-worthy hits should do the trick and keep the Big Orange hyped.

Ball control. In the frustrating 19-15 loss to UCLA last week, the Vols held the ball 12 minutes, 40 seconds in the fourth quarter alone. They did that by pounding the ball right at the Bruins. It would be wise to keep the ball away from a Gator offense that leads the nation in total yards (1,287), yards per touch (10.5) and touchdowns (16) in their 2-0 start.

Finish the deal. All that time with the ball late against UCLA was fine and dandy but it yielded a mere three points. Thirteen- and 17-play drives must be capped with touchdowns. Championship teams finish.

Danny Parker is sports editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached at dparker@t-g.com.