Florida and Tennessee have played on the third Saturday of September almost every year since 1992, giving the rivalry its nickname. In many seasons, it has been the first significant challenge of the season for one or both teams and has given the winner a head start in the race for a berth in the SEC Championship Game. Notable exceptions to the usual scheduling came in 2001, when the game was postponed until December 1 due to the September 11 terrorist attacks, and in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the start of the season and shifted the Florida–Tennessee game to December 5.