Florida week always brings more excitement, intensity

"I have nothing against Florida," he said.

Ainge, of Hillsboro, Ore., said he doesn't remember watching Tennessee-Florida games, but he saw plenty of each team on television while living on the West Coast.

"When I was a kid, I remember Florida and Florida State and Miami. When you're growing up everybody likes those schools," he said. "I think obviously there's a big rivalry."

Receiver C. J. Fayton, a junior, believes the quarterbacks have figured out Florida is a big game.

"I think they definitely get it, especially Schaeffer being from Florida," he said.

All the freshmen and newcomers will pick up on the new atmosphere, Haralson said.

"They notice it. When Florida comes to town, you've got older guys talking about it," he said.

With an open date last weekend, the Vols have had an extra week to think about the Gators, and fans have had time to ruminate on the chances for victory.

"It starts as soon as the last game is played and the first Monday comes and you're watching film. You just know there's something in the air that's just different. The students act different, the coaches, everybody," Fayton said. "It's just time to concentrate and focus."