GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Taylor Jacobs was at a movie. Ian Scott was walking around at the mall. Andra Davis watched it all unfold on TV.

It took some Florida players longer than others to receive last weekend's good news. But once the surprising losses by Nebraska and Oklahoma rolled in, the enormity of No. 2 Florida's game Saturday against Tennessee (No. 4 ESPN/USA Today, No. 5 AP) quickly hit home.

Not only are the Gators (9-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference) playing for a spot in the SEC title game, they're playing to stay in line for a shot at a national title. That was a goal that looked like a 50-50 proposition at best before things fell their way.

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"Every college player's dream is to win a national championship, to be on one of the greatest teams at your school," offensive lineman Mike Pearson said. "It's something always in the back of your mind."

Jacobs had trouble concentrating last Friday while he watched the movie, "Black Knight." When he exited the theater, he checked his voicemail. His father left a message, telling Jacobs about Colorado's victory over Nebraska.

"I was like, 'I know I heard that wrong,'" Jacobs said. "So I played it again. I finally called home and my father said, 'Yeah, it's true.'"

When Davis realized how drastically Florida's national-title chances had improved after Oklahoma's loss to Oklahoma State last Saturday, he didn't celebrate. He urged his teammates to work harder.

"We were calling each other to make sure everybody was doing the right thing," Davis said. "It was a long weekend, so I wanted to make sure everybody was running, and doing the things that we need to do."

Tennessee (9-1, 6-1) also was encouraged by the news. The Volunteers still have a chance at the Rose Bowl, although they would need both a victory and some help.

Possibly the most surprising thing about Saturday's game -- rescheduled from Sept. 15 because of the terrorist attacks -- is that hardly anyone outside of Tennessee gives the Vols a chance, even though they have the same record as Florida.

"I haven't heard of anybody in the state of Tennessee that's given us a chance" either, Vols coach Phillip Fulmer said.

They are 18-point underdogs, the biggest spread against them since 1988. They have lost seven of the last eight games against the Gators and haven't won in The Swamp since 1971, when Fulmer played guard for Tennessee and Steve Spurrier was a backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers.

Could their role as big underdogs make the Vols better?

"I don't know if there's less pressure," Fulmer said. "I don't think so. They have a lot of pride, and they're not the underdog very often."

While the loser could be headed to another BCS bowl -- possibly the Sugar -- or the Citrus Bowl, the winner will advance to the SEC title game in Atlanta next Saturday, where they will be a prohibitive favorite over the SEC West champion, either LSU or Auburn.

Of course, taking things for granted hasn't helped either the Vols or Gators.

Two weeks ago, Tennessee fell behind by 21 points to Kentucky, and had to rally for a 38-35 victory.

The Gators lost 23-20 to Auburn in October, a result that could have eliminated their national-title hopes were it not for last weekend's upsets.

Now that things have fallen their way, the Gators are happy for that loss. It taught them what looking too far ahead can do to a team.

"We know if we go out there and take this game lightly, tomorrow's not promised," Florida safety Marquand Manuel said. "What we've got to do is take advantage of the day."