Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee assistant: Players understand this 'rivalry'

Published Sep. 24, 2015 8:57 p.m. ET

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For all the hype and attention Florida week receives in Tennessee, after a decade of futility, the streak has taken on a life of its own. The pressure on the Vols to get a win is enormous for both the players and the coaching staff. 

Florida announcing the suspensions of two contributors sways even more favor the Vols way heading into Saturday. 

Receivers coach Zach Azzanni said despite the youthfulness of the roster, his players are ready for what's to come in Gainesville. 

“Josh Smith, Marquez North played in this game the last two years,” Azzanni said, according to 247Sports. “Josh Malone played in it last year. Pig (Howard) has played in it. They understand the rivalry, and they get it.”

Considering the Gators have owned the last decade, Azzanni seemed hesitant to call the series a rivalry.

“It is what it is. It hasn’t been much of a rivalry,” Azzanni said. “They’ve had their way with us, and we’re working every day to change that.”

Not only does Tennessee have an opportunity to end the terrible divisional streak Saturday but Azzanni has also challenged his receivers to make the difference in the game. Something they failed to do in their last opportunity against Florida last season or in the game Oklahoma two weeks ago.

“Same thing last year, Florida,” Azzanni said. “I mean, it was the exact same game as Oklahoma. We have to find a momentum play, and that’s what we didn’t do in either game — last year against Florida, 10-9. I wake up with nightmares on that one every week. And the Oklahoma one, obviously.

“We just need to make one more play. We didn’t do that last year (against Florida) or didn’t do that this year versus Oklahoma. We know that every play is just so valuable in those kind of games, and we’ve got to figure out a way to make a momentum play.”

(h/t 247Sports)

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