Another nightmare for Tennessee at Florida as The Swamp remains its house of horrors

– Tennessee’s quarterback hoisted the football high, high, high into the Florida night sky just as Desmond Watson attempted to swallow Joe Milton whole.

To call this pass a prayer would be to insult prayer.

Milton could have no idea into whose hands his heave would settle.

The ball finally descended into arms of a Gators defensive back, Devin Moore, and The Swamp roared. A yellow flag appeared at the end of Moore’s interception return. Personal foul, Tennessee.

The Swamp roared some more.

This rivalry that had been a hallmark of college football during the 1990s isn’t what it used to be. You wouldn’t have known that from any decibel meter positioned in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday night.

The Swamp devoured the Big Orange. Again.

Florida 29, No. 9 Tennessee 16.

A sold-out crowd delighted in a familiar result.

Florida defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) tackles Tennessees tight end McCallan Castles (34) during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Ten consecutive times, Florida has beaten Tennessee in this building that’s a Gators temple and a house of horrors for the Vols.

When I spoke to Steve Spurrier this week, he couldn’t believe some betting lines had listed Florida as a 7½-point underdog.

A touchdown underdog? In The Swamp? To Tennessee? The Head Ball Coach couldn’t believe it. As usual, Spurrier was onto something.

These Gators may not be reminiscent of the Spurrier era, but this result was. All Gators. A couple of Florida kicking blunders prevented the score from being more lopsided.

The Vols couldn’t block. They couldn’t cover Florida’s wide receivers. And Tennessee’s tackling? Mercy.

Tennessee’s defensive backs competed to see who could miss the most tackles. Wesley Walker, Tamarion McDonald and Kamal Hadden each entered compelling submissions into the whiff contest.

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