Game time: TV info, odds, keys to Gators vs. No. 20 Tennessee

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Gators vs. No. 20 Tennessee

Where: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Coaches: Josh Heupel is 44-18 at Tennessee, 72-26 overall; Billy Gonzales is 0-3 at UF.

Latest line: Tennessee is favored by 4.5 points

Weather: 67 degrees, 15% rain chance

Quick slant: UF has sold out the Swamp 17 straight games, going 11-5 during the previous 16 — including a 29-16 win against Tennessee in 2023. The Vols’ last win in the Swamp was 2003. Last season, Tennessee beat Florida 23-17 in overtime at Neyland Stadium, only the Vols’ third win in the series since 2004.

About No. 20 Tennessee (7-3, 3-3 SEC):Josh Heupel’s up-tempo attack leads the SEC with an average of 40.2 points against FBS competition. The Vols feature a nice balance of passing (302.8 ypg) and rushing (167.6 ypg), and are tied for second in the SEC behind Ole Miss with 37 touchdowns in 51 red-zone trips (72.6%).

About UF (3-7, 2-5):The Gators average an SEC-low 17 points against FBS foes and have scored just three fourth-quarter points during their current three-game skid. UF is also last in third-down conversion rate (31.6%) and plays longer than 10 yards.

Three things to watch

1. Stopping Vols’ QB Joey Aguilar. The Cal transfer has been an upgrade over Nico Iamaleava, who abruptly entered the transfer portal in April and landed at UCLA. Aguilar has an SEC-leading 2,941 passing yards, while his 22 scores are tied for the lead with Texas A&M’s Marcel Reed and Alabama’s Ty Simpson. Aguilar ranks second in passer rating (159.89), despite 10 interceptions.

2. Long passing plays by DJ Lagway.UF’s quarterback connected on throws of 57 and 43 yards at Ole Miss after managing just five completions of 40 yards in nine previous games. Tennessee has allowed just six 40-yarders, but Lagway needs to continue to attack down the field.

3. Time of possession. Tennessee’s fast-paced style leaves the Vols last in the SEC (26:47). During UF’s 34-24 loss at Ole Miss, the Gators had just seven third-quarter snaps. The up-tempo Rebels held the ball nearly 38 minutes to eventually wear down UF’s defense, scoring 14 fourth-quarter points.

Edgar Thompson can be reached at egthompson@orlandosentinel.com

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