At 3:30 this afternoon, Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators will take the field today at Neyland Stadium to get their first taste of the SEC this season. The Tennessee Volunteers reside at Neyland, aka Rockytop, a historically difficult place to play.

Rockytop will be jumping this afternoon. Close to 100,000 strong, Tennesseans make their stadium a loud and difficult place to visit. You can bet the Gators are less than welcome guests.

For Urban Meyer and his young Gators, this game presents their first real test of the season. In one of the most hostile environments in the nation, it’s time to show who these Gators really are.

Here are a few things your Florida Gators must do in order to return to the Florida heat with a victory.

1. Quiet the fans early. Rockytop will definitely be loud early. The Gators offense must come out of the gates fast, in order to quiet the crowd. If they fail to get off to a fast start once again, the crowd will only get louder; making communication even harder. Don’t allow the crowd to get to a fever pitch.
2. Control the line of scrimmage. This year, Urban Meyer has re-committed to pounding the ball via the run game. On offense, the line has a definite advantage against an undersized Tennessee front seven. On defense, the Gators’ front must be disruptive. Getting into the Volunteer backfield is key her; don’t allow a rhythm to develop
3. Win Individual battles. On paper, the Gators field one of the best teams in college football. But all the talent in the world won’t win a football game without individual victories. Think of it as the game being a war; you won’t likely win the war without winning the majority of the battles. Prove you’re better than what’s on paper.
4. Continue to gel as a team. Last week in the second half, Gator Nation witnessed a young team begin to come together. This team must continue to gel; prove the last two quarters of football wasn’t a fluke, but the beginnings of a trend.
5. Feed Demps. To win an SEC war of teams, you must be able to impose your will. Demps is lightning in a bottle; pop the cork and look out.
6. Open up the playbook. Two games into the 2010 season, we haven’t seen a good pencil-whipping. It’s time for Urban Meyer and staff to see what quarterback John Brantley really has. The only way to truly find out is to set him free; it’s time.
7. Take the wrapper off the cannon. Speaking of Brantley, whose arm is his greatest asset; it’s time to unleash him. With improvement along the offensive line, John should have plenty of time to survey the field and showcase his talents.
8. Enjoy it. For many of the young guys, this is their first taste of SEC football. Go ahead, take it all in and enjoy it for what it is.

Over the past couple of seasons, this rivalry has lost some of its luster. With Derric Dooley at the helm, look for the rivalry to be renewed.