Introduction
The Florida State Seminoles and the Tennessee Volunteers are two of the most storied programs in college football history. Both schools have won national championships, produced Heisman Trophy winners, and sent countless players to the NFL. In recent years, the two teams have been among the top contenders in the SEC East, and their rivalry has become one of the most heated in all of college football.
History of the Rivalry
The first meeting between Florida State and Tennessee took place in 1952, and the Seminoles won 21-14. The two teams met again in 1954, and Tennessee won 28-13. The rivalry took a hiatus for over 40 years before resuming in 1995. Since then, the two teams have met 11 times, with Tennessee holding a 7-4 advantage.
Key Moments in the Rivalry
Some of the most memorable moments in the FSU-TN rivalry include:
- 1995: Tennessee’s Peyton Manning threw for 302 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-29 win over FSU.
- 1998: FSU’s Peter Warrick returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown in a 24-21 win over Tennessee.
- 2008: Tennessee’s Erik Ainge threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns in a 34-32 win over FSU.
- 2012: FSU’s EJ Manuel threw for 380 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-17 win over Tennessee.
- 2019: Tennessee’s Jarrett Guarantano threw for 329 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-31 win over FSU.
The 2020 Matchup
The 2020 matchup between FSU and Tennessee is scheduled for October 10th in Gainesville, Florida. The Seminoles are coming off a 6-6 season, while the Volunteers are coming off a 7-5 season. Both teams are looking to make a statement in the SEC East, and the winner of this game will have a leg up in the race for the division title.
Key Players to Watch
Some of the key players to watch in the 2020 FSU-TN matchup include:
- FSU: Quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Jashaun Corbin, wide receiver Tamorrion Terry, defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.
- Tennessee: Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, running back Eric Gray, wide receiver Josh Palmer, defensive end Darrell Taylor, and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o.
Prediction
The 2020 FSU-TN matchup is a toss-up. Both teams have talented players and are capable of winning the game. However, the Seminoles have a slight edge in experience, and they are playing at home. FSU is a narrow favorite to win the game by a score of 27-24.
Conclusion
The FSU-TN rivalry is one of the most heated in college football. The two teams have met some of the greatest players in college football history, and they have played in some of the most memorable games in college football history. The 2020 matchup is sure to be another classic, and it could have a major impact on the SEC East race.
Additional Information
Tables
Table 1: Head-to-Head Record
| Year | Winner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Florida State | 21-14 |
| 1954 | Tennessee | 28-13 |
| 1995 | Tennessee | 35-29 |
| 1998 | Florida State | 24-21 |
| 2000 | Tennessee | 38-26 |
| 2001 | Tennessee | 22-15 |
| 2003 | Tennessee | 28-14 |
| 2007 | Florida State | 21-14 |
| 2008 | Tennessee | 34-32 |
| 2012 | Florida State | 31-17 |
| 2019 | Tennessee | 38-31 |
Table 2: Notable Players
| Player | Position | Team | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton Manning | Quarterback | Tennessee | 1994-1997 |
| Peter Warrick | Wide Receiver | Florida State | 1995-1998 |
| Deion Sanders | Cornerback | Florida State | 1985-1988 |
| Reggie Bush | Running Back | Southern California | 2003-2006 |
| Derrick Henry | Running Back | Alabama | 2013-2015 |
Table 3: National Championships
| Team | Number of National Championships | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Florida State | 3 | 1993, 1999, 2013 |
| Tennessee | 6 | 1938, 1940, 1951, 1967, 1998, 2006 |
Table 4: Heisman Trophy Winners
| Player | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Weinke | Florida State | 2000 |
| Charlie Ward | Florida State | 1993 |
| Tim Tebow | Florida | 2007 |
| Lamar Jackson | Louisville | 2016 |
| Joe Burrow | LSU | 2019 |
Effective Strategies
Some of the effective strategies that teams can use to win the FSU-TN matchup include:
- Controlling the line of scrimmage: Both teams have talented offensive and defensive lines. The team that can control the line of scrimmage will have a significant advantage.
- Establishing a running game: Both teams have talented running backs. The team that can establish a running game will be able to keep the opposing defense honest and open up the passing game.
- Protecting the quarterback: Both teams have talented quarterbacks. The team that can protect the quarterback will be able to give their offense a chance to succeed.
- Creating turnovers: Both teams have talented defenses. The team that can create turnovers will be able to give their offense a short field and put the opposing team in a difficult position.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Some of the common mistakes that teams should avoid in the FSU-TN matchup include:
- Penalties: Penalties can kill drives and give the opposing team field position. Both teams need to be disciplined and avoid penalties.
- Turnovers: Turnovers can give the opposing team a short field and put the team that made the turnover in a difficult position. Both teams need to take care of the football and avoid turnovers.
- Poor execution: Poor execution can lead to mistakes and missed opportunities. Both teams need to execute their game plan well and avoid mistakes.
FAQs
1. Who is the favorite to win the 2020 FSU-TN game?
The Seminoles are a slight favorite to win the game by a score of 27-24.
2. Who are the key players to watch in the game?
Some of the key players to watch in the game include FSU quarterback Jordan Travis, running back Jashaun Corbin, wide receiver Tamorrion Terry, defensive end Jermaine Johnson II, and cornerback Asante Samuel Jr.; and Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, running back Eric Gray, wide receiver Josh Palmer, defensive end Darrell Taylor, and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o.
3. What are the most memorable moments in the FSU-TN rivalry?
Some of the most memorable moments in the FSU-TN rivalry include Peyton Manning’s 302-yard, three-touchdown performance in a 1995 Tennessee win, Peter Warrick’s 74-yard punt return touchdown in a 1998 FSU win, Erik Ainge’s 320-yard, four-touchdown performance in a 2008 Tennessee win, EJ Manuel’s 380-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 2012 FSU win, and Jarrett Guarantano’s 329-yard, two-touchdown performance in a 2019 Tennessee win.
4. What are the effective strategies that teams can use to win the FSU-TN matchup?
Some of the effective strategies that teams can use to win the FSU-TN matchup include controlling the line of scrimmage, establishing a running game, protecting the quarterback, and creating turnovers.
5. What are the common mistakes that teams should avoid in the FSU-TN matchup?
Some of the common mistakes that teams should avoid in the FSU-TN matchup include penalties, turnovers, and poor execution.
6. What are the key stats to watch in the FSU-TN matchup?
Some of the key stats to watch in the FSU-TN matchup include total yards, rushing yards, passing yards, turnovers, and sacks.
7. What are the betting lines for the FSU-TN matchup?
