As always, UF's showdown with Tennessee on Saturday will impact much more than just the Southeastern Conference standings.
Beyond the hopes of a national or conference title and the importance of the rivalry, the winner of the matchup will also gain an edge in the recruiting world.
Several high-profile recruits will be visiting Gainesville this weekend to take a serious look at joining the Gators in 2008, and a win against the Volunteers would go a long way toward securing a few commitments.
"You really don't see teams have many official visitors during the season because you just can't devote that one-on-one time for 48 hours like you can after the season," Scout.com recruiting analyst Jamie Newberg said. "The atmosphere and the game itself make up for not being able to get in with the coaches or do the tours that you can do on a more normal official visit weekend."
One of those who will visit UF this weekend is Will Hill, rated the No. 1 safety in the nation by Scout.
Hill, a 6-foot-3, 203-pounder from St. Peters Preparatory School in Jersey City, N.J., could commit to the Gators soon after his visit.
"He'll come back and we'll sit down and talk about how to proceed," St. Peters coach Rich Hansen said. "He has another visit set up to USC the following week, but we'll see what happens after this Florida visit."
In high school, Hill has shown great versatility by playing quarterback, running back, wide receiver, safety and kick returner, but he wants to play safety at the college level.
"That's what he wants to play, and I think he brings a lot to the table with his speed, size and physicality," Hansen said. "He runs a 4.35 second 40-yard dash, and he's 6 feet 3 inches, so he can cover a lot of ground and do a lot of different things."
A commitment from Hill would give the Gators the nation's best safety class. Auburn (Ala.) High's Dee Finley - rated the No. 2 safety - committed to UF in June.
The pair would give the Gators some much-needed help in the secondary, where they will lose starting safeties Tony Joiner and Kyle Jackson after this season.
Bethlehem (Pa.) Liberty High linebacker Brendan Beal will also make his official visit this weekend.
Beal is the second-ranked player in the nation at his position, and he has earned a reputation as a big hitter.
He will make his college choice public on his birthday, Oct. 12.
In addition to Hill and Beal, cornerback Jeremy Brown, wide receiver Jeremy Fuller and offensive tackles Barrett Jones and Zebrie Sanders will also make their official visits for the game.
A Gators win would perhaps have the biggest effect on Jones, a Tennessee native who lists both UF and UT in his top five.
Several more prospects could attend the game on unofficial visits, and commitments from any of them would be big news for the Gators, who have just five verbal commitments so far.
Besides Finley, UF has snatched up kicker Caleb Sturgis, running back Franklin Green, and defensive ends Chaz Sutton and Earl Okine.
Sturgis, from St. Augustine High, is the third-best kicking prospect in the country, and will have a chance to start next season.
While there will probably be a nice recruiting payoff if UF wins, there could also be a major letdown if the Gators are run out of their own stadium.
"Who's to say that Florida won't lay a goose egg and Tennessee whips them?" Newberg said. "It's a gamble, and it can always backfire. It can always go the other way."
