Kellie Harper previews Tennessee-West Virginia

Tennessee plays at West Virginia Sunday.

Tennessee (2-0) will return to action Sunday at West Virginia for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge.

Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST and the game will be streamed on Big 12 Now/ESPN+.

Ahead of the Lady Vols’ game, second-year Tennessee head coach Kellie Harper previewed the matchup. Below is a transcript provided by the University of Tennessee.

KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 01, 2020 – Head Coach Kellie Harper of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the East Tennessee State Buccaneers and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

On how much better Jordan Horston is when she lets the game come to her:

“She’s really talented. I think she’s talented when she’s free, when she can play and she’s not stressing or pressing. I felt like she’s had some really good practices and then we get to that first game and I thought she was really tied up. That was my message to her. I wanted her to just let loose and play – not worry so much about the outcomes. And do so with a big smile on her face. I did add that. I thought that was important too. I thought she looked much more comfortable, much more relaxed. Again, the same thing, I thought she had a good practice on Tuesday. It was a complete carry over. That’s been a message in the past. We’ll just keep reiterating it and try to give her ways that she can feel confident and comfortable on the court.”

On what stands out about West Virginia on film:

“First off, you start with their transition offense. They are very athletic and aggressive. They get a lot of opportunities in their transition. If you’re not quick and you’re not alert getting back, you’re going to give up a lot of easy buckets. They’re going to go get them. The other thing that stands out to me with them is that they can really shoot the 3 and they can really get to the basket. I think their athleticism really lends itself to getting some penetration, drives and getting themselves to the free throw line. They shoot a lot of free throws, but you can’t just back up because they can knock down the open shot. This is a pretty well-balanced offense and an aggressive offensive attack. That is going to be a huge focus for us today. They keep that aggressiveness at the defensive end as well. They’re pretty physical and athletic. We’re going to see the pressure. We’re going to see them denying and getting out in the passing lanes. That’s going to be an area where we have to take care of the basketball.”

Tennessee-Florida: Pregame social media buzz

Check out the pregame buzz on social media as Tennessee gets ready to play Florida.

As strange as it feels, Tennessee and Florida are kicking off on Saturday afternoon in the first weekend of December.

It is a matchup typically played to open the SEC slate in September, however the 2020 10-game, league-only schedule has pushed the contest back.

The Vols look to end a five-game losing streak, while Florida enters the contest 7-1 and No. 6 in the country. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. EST. CBS will televise the matchup.

Here is the pregame social media buzz as Tennessee and Florida prepare to renew their rivalry matchup.

Game day odds: Tennessee-Florida per BetMGM

Tennessee will play Florida Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee (2-5, 2-5 SEC) continues its 10-game, SEC-only 2020 season against No. 6 Florida (7-1, 7-1 SEC) Saturday.

The contest will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST and is being televised by CBS.

Florida is an 18.5-point favorite over the Volunteers. The game over/under for points is 61.5. Florida is -800 on the money line. Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

Looking for some action on this game or others? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN, and WV. New Customer Offer: Risk-free first bet up to $500! Terms and conditions apply. Visit BetMGM and bet now!

2020 Tennessee football schedule

9/26 at South Carolina (W, 31-27)
10/3 vs. Missouri (W, 35-12)
10/10 at Georgia (L, 44-21)
10/17 vs. Kentucky (L, 34-7)
10/24 vs. Alabama (L, 48-17)
10/31 OPEN DATE
11/7 at Arkansas (L, 24-13)
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 at Auburn (L, 30-17)
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 vs. Florida
12/12 at Vanderbilt
12/19 vs. Texas A&M

Vols’ game day: This date in Tennessee history

How the Vols have fared in games played on Dec. 5.

When Tennessee tangles with rival Florida on the gridiron today, it will look to continue its modest success in games contested on Dec. 5.

Today marks the sixth time that the Volunteers have played on this date. This will be the second time that the Big Orange have played at home.

Tennessee last played at home on this date 50 years ago when it toppled UCLA, 28-17.

The Vols were coached by Bill Battle, who was in the midst of his first season on Rocky Top. The Bruins were coached by Tommy Prothro and his offensive coordinator was Dick Vermeil, who would later become the team’s head coach.

The Vols first played on Dec. 5 in 1931 when they defeated New York University, 13-0, in the New York Charity Game.

In 1936, Tennessee and Mississippi State played to a 0-0 tie in Memphis.

The Vols have played one true road game on Dec. 5, losing to Houston 13-0.

The Big Orange last played on Dec. 5 in 1998. On their way to winning the first BCS national championship, the Vols outlasted Jackie Sherrill’s Mississippi State Bulldogs, 24-14, in the Southeastern Conference championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

The Vols would finish the campaign 13-0 and defeat Florida State in the Fiesta Bowl to win the national title.

How to watch, listen to Tennessee-Florida game

Tennessee will play Florida Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee (2-5, 2-5 SEC) will continue its 10-game, SEC-only 2020 season today against No. 6 Florida (7-1, 7-1 SEC).

The game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST from Neyland Stadium. Below is a guide for watching and listening to Saturday’s contest between the Vols and Gators.

TV: CBS
Play-by-Play: Carter Blackburn
Analyst: Aaron Murray
Sideline: Jenny Dell

RADIO: Vol Network
Local: WIVK-FM 107.7 WNML-FM 99.1 Sirius: Ch. 106 XM: Ch.191 Internet: Ch. 962
Web: utsports.com
Play-by-Play: Bob Kesling
Analysts: Tim Priest and Brent Hubbs
Sideline: Kasey Funderburg

2020 Tennessee football schedule

9/26 at South Carolina (W, 31-27)
10/3 vs. Missouri (W, 35-12)
10/10 at Georgia (L, 44-21)
10/17 vs. Kentucky (L, 34-7)
10/24 vs. Alabama (L, 48-17)
10/31 OPEN DATE
11/7 at Arkansas (L, 24-13)
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 at Auburn (L, 30-17)
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 vs. Florida
12/12 at Vanderbilt
12/19 vs. Texas A&M

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Tennessee adds home game to schedule

Tennessee adds home game to schedule.

Tennessee’s women’s basketball team (2-0) has added a home game with Furman to its 2020-21 schedule.

The Lady Vols and Paladins (1-1) will play Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. EST at Thompson-Boling Arena.

The contest will be streamed on SECN+. Single-game tickets are available at AllVols.com.

KNOXVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 01, 2020 – Head Coach Kellie Harper of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers during the game between the East Tennessee State Buccaneers and the Tennessee Lady Volunteers at Thompson–Boling Arena in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee and Furman have met four times previously, with the Lady Vols winning every contest.

The two schools last played March 18, 2000. Tennessee defeated the Paladins, 90-38, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Tennessee will return to action Sunday at West Virginia for the SEC/Big 12 Challenge. Tipoff is slated for 2 p.m. EST and the game will be streamed on Big 12 Now/ESPN+.

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Tennessee-Florida score predictions

Tennessee will play Florida Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee (2-5, 2-5 SEC) will continue its 10-game, SEC-only 2020 season today against No. 6 Florida (7-1, 7-1 SEC).

The Vols and Gators will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST from Neyland Stadium. The contest will be televised by CBS.

Ahead of the matchup, Vols Wire predicts scores for the SEC East contest.

Dan Harralson — Vols Wire — Florida 40, Tennessee 17

Philip Jones — Former Vol (1973-74) — Florida 49, Tennessee 17

Ken Lay — Vols Wire — Florida 38, Tennessee 7

Lucas Panzica — Vols Wire — Florida 48, Tennessee 10

2020 Tennessee football schedule

9/26 at South Carolina (W, 31-27)
10/3 vs. Missouri (W, 35-12)
10/10 at Georgia (L, 44-21)
10/17 vs. Kentucky (L, 34-7)
10/24 vs. Alabama (L, 48-17)
10/31 OPEN DATE
11/7 at Arkansas (L, 24-13)
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 at Auburn (L, 30-17)
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 vs. Florida
12/12 at Vanderbilt
12/19 vs. Texas A&M

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Updated game odds: Tennessee-Florida per BetMGM

Tennessee plays Florida Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee (2-5, 2-5 SEC) continues its 10-game, SEC-only 2020 season against No. 6 Florida (7-1, 7-1 SEC) Saturday.

The contest will kick off at 3:30 p.m. EST and is being televised by CBS.

Florida is a 17.5-point favorite over the Volunteers. The game over/under for points is 61.5. Florida is -800 on the money line. Odds courtesy of BetMGM, The King of Sportsbooks.

Looking for some action on this game or others? Place your legal sports wagers online at BetMGM in CO, IN, NJ, TN, and WV. New Customer Offer: Risk-free first bet up to $500! Terms and conditions apply. Visit BetMGM and bet now!

2020 Tennessee football schedule

9/26 at South Carolina (W, 31-27)
10/3 vs. Missouri (W, 35-12)
10/10 at Georgia (L, 44-21)
10/17 vs. Kentucky (L, 34-7)
10/24 vs. Alabama (L, 48-17)
10/31 OPEN DATE
11/7 at Arkansas (L, 24-13)
11/14 OPEN DATE
11/21 at Auburn (L, 30-17)
11/28 OPEN DATE
12/5 vs. Florida
12/12 at Vanderbilt
12/19 vs. Texas A&M

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Vols’ quarterback target decommits from USC

Tennessee Vols football recruiting news.

A 2021 Tennessee quarterback target has decommitted from USC.

Jake Garcia announced Thursday that he decommitted from the Trojans.

“After many discussions with my family and careful consideration, I am decommitting from USC,” Garcia said. “Doing so will allow me to honestly evaluate my options as the early signing date quickly approaches.”

Garcia’s former teammate at Narbonne High School in Harbor City, California is Vols’ freshman linebacker Sayeed Shah.

Garcia previously discussed Shah with Vols Wire.

“He’s a great player and teammate, and a great kid,” Garcia said of Shah. “He’s a leader and that’s something you can’t teach. He will help pick you up if you are down and help to keep you level-headed if you are too excited.”

Garcia was offered by Tennessee on Jan., 31, 2019. The early signing period takes place Dec. 16-18.

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A look at when the Vols last finished a season with three or less wins

Tennessee is slated to conclude the 2020 regular season with games against Florida, Vanderbilt and Texas A&M.

Tennessee (2-5, 2-5 SEC) will host No. 6 Florida Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

The Vols are slated to conclude the 2020 regular season with Vanderbilt and No. 5 Texas A&M.

If Tennessee were to win its final three games against Florida, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt, the Vols would finish the regular season with a .500 record before a bowl game.

The Vols also could lose games against top 6 teams Florida and Texas A&M, giving UT three victories before a bowl game, or potentially not winning or being victorious only once more this season.

Vanderbilt had its matchup with Georgia postponed for Saturday, and is rescheduled for Dec. 19.

The contest has been postponed due to the Vanderbilt football squad size and position availability falling below roster minimum requirements, consistent with Southeastern Conference COVID-19 protocols.

Should Georgia qualify for the SEC championship game on Dec. 19, the Bulldogs’ matchup with Vanderbilt would be declared a no-contest. Georgia would still represent the SEC East in that scenario.

The 2020 season has featured uncertainty each week if games can be played due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which makes for the Vols to not have any contest remaining a guarantee to take place.

Tennessee last finished a football season with three wins in 1924. The Vols finished 3-5 that season under head coach M.B. Banks. Banks played at Syracuse and coached at Duke before arriving at Tennessee.

In 1924, Tennessee won its first three contests against Emory & Henry, Maryville and Carson-Newman. The Vols finished the season with losses to Mississippi A&M, Georgia, Centre, Tulane and Kentucky.

Tennessee last finished a season with less than three wins in 1909. The Vols finished 1-6-2, only defeating Transylvania.

George Levene served at the Vols’ head coach in 1909. He played at Pennsylvania.

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