Trucks carrying "GameDay" production equipment arrived on campus Monday
Tickets to the upcoming UT-Florida game have officially sold out, and now the Vols are hoping to break a losing streak against their arch rivals, the Gators.
Excitement is building on campus, where the first few trucks carrying ESPN's "GameDay" production equipment arrived Monday evening. The show will broadcast live Saturday morning before the game.
"The news broke that they were going to be coming here, and the excitement started," said UT junior Kyle Tasman, who DJs at the campus radio station, WUTK 90.3 The Rock.
He says the upcoming game and ESPN presence fills most chatter on campus right now.
"The last couple seasons we've obviously struggled on the field and struggled to fill the stadium, so it's good to be back in the national spotlight. It can only help the program, we're kind of "on the up," it seems," he said.
In order to compete with Florida, Tasman says the Volunteers will need to bring their best.
"If we can keep the Florida defense honest, keep them in the box to open the big play up down the field, then I think we should be successful," he said.
This Saturday marks the eighth time ESPN's "College GameDay" has aired from Knoxville. Tennessee's record is 2-5 when the show comes to town.
The show will start at 9am Saturday on ESPN-U, and 10am on ESPN.
The Vols and Gators will kick off at 6pm.