Why CBS Sports Says Tennessee vs. Florida in 2025 Could Change Everything for Gators Football

When you think about the relentless gauntlet Florida football has endured in past seasons, the upcoming fall schedule doesn’t exactly promise any breather. After navigating one of the toughest roadmaps in 2024, these Gators aren’t strangers to hardship — and frankly, that tenacity under Billy Napier is something you just have to admire. Bold ambitions and gritty resolve? They’ve got that in spades. But casting an eye toward 2025, the calendar isn’t just a series of dates, it’s a battleground filled with more than a few pivotal clashes that could very well define the arc of their season. Sure, the familiar, fiery showdowns against the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles get the traditional spotlight — those contests are forever etched in both fan lore and team psyche. Yet, if you’re hunting for the true turning point this time around, it just might be that longstanding rivalry with Tennessee. According to CBS Sports’ Will Backus, the Gators’ most crucial test will roll around later in the season than usual, a game pregnant with College Football Playoff stakes for both squads. What makes this even juicier? Tennessee’s offseason chaos and their not-so-impressive away game record under coach Josh Heupel might just tip the scales in Florida’s favor. Mark your calendars for Nov. 22, inside the famed Ben Hill Griffin Stadium—because this Tennessee matchup could shape Napier’s fourth year in ways we’re all eager to unpack. LEARN MOREFollow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.The Gators will host the Volunteers on the penultimate weekend of the 2025 college football season inside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 22. Details for the game, such as start time, have yet to be released.According to CBS Sports’ Will Backus, the biggest game for the Gators comes against the Tennessee Volunteers, which comes a bit later than it has in recent years.

“Florida has tougher opponents on another gauntlet of a schedule, but this annual rivalry contest could come with major late-season CFP implications for both teams,” Backus begins. “This is also a game arguably stacked in Florida’s favor, given Tennessee’s tumultuous offseason and the fact that the Vols’ well-documented road struggles under coach Josh Heupel.”

Florida-Tennessee 2025 college football matchup

Looking ahead at the 2025 schedule, there are a few critical matchups that could make or break the campaign for the Orange and Blue. While the rivalry games against the Georgia Bulldogs and Florida State Seminoles are always circled on the calendar, another longtime foe appears the be the critical juncture for Florida’s aspirations in Napier’s fourth season.

Florida football faces yet another brutal schedule this coming fall after taking on one of the toughest slates in 2024. Nothing comes easy for these Gators, but Billy Napier and Co. are certainly up for the challenge.