Tennessee fans won't be the only ones praying this weekend.
People all over Gainesville will be seesawing between faith and football Saturday as they choose between observing the Jewish new year and watching the Gators host the Volunteers in The Swamp.
"People always ask me, should I [TiVo] services or record the game," joked Rabbi Berl Goldman, co-director of the Lubavitch Chabad Jewish Center.
Goldman said he would like for them to observe Rosh Hashana, but it's possible to get some football in as well. Rosh Hashana services at Chabad start at 10 a.m.
UF junior Adam Bernatsky said the university should have considered making Saturday's face-off an evening game.
"We have one of the largest Jewish populations in the nation," he said.
Bernatsky said he usually starts tailgating for big games by 10 in the morning. On Saturday, he will miss most of the tailgating to go to services and rush back before the game.
"It's annoying, but I'm so excited for this game," he said. "Nothing can ruin the day - except a loss."
UF's schedule is set by the Southeastern Conference years in advance, said Greg McGarity, executive associate director of the University Athletic Association, and television networks determine the time of the game.
"You basically have 13 weeks to schedule 12 games," he said. "You run into some difficulty to avoid this date."
Gators fans are not the only ones running into scheduling conflicts with the Jewish holidays this year.
According to the Associated Press, the New York Jets complained to the NFL about having consecutive home football games scheduled on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur.
Despite the holiday, UF's game against Tennessee is sold out, according to the University Athletic Association.
Goldman thinks that this Saturday's services will be packed, as well.
"Our phones have been ringing off the hook with alumni calling to say they are coming into town," he said. "They're coming for the game but still want to celebrate Rosh Hashana properly."
Goldman said that they are expecting more than 600 people to attend services and more than 1,000 to come to Chabad throughout the weekend.
Services are held in the backyard of his house on Northwest Fifth Avenue, and they will be setting up a second tent to accommodate the crowd.
"We have the benefit of being five blocks from the stadium," Goldman said. "We can hear every announcement and every touchdown."
Goldman said he won't be watching the game but will be praying for the Gators to win.
"What better way to start off the new year than to win three games in a row?" he said.
