The year was 2002. In its second season under Mark Richt, the Georgia Bulldogs were undefeated heading into the showdown with Florida in Jacksonville. The Dawgs had a strong defense led by Sean Jones and Boss Bailey and a rising star named David Pollack. The offense was playing well too, with a finally healthy Musa Smith and sophomore quarterback David Greene coming into his own. Georgia was ready to not only win the SEC but compete for a National Championship.
Jump to today. Florida is in its second season under Will Muschamp and are undefeated. They have a strong defense led by veterans Omar Hunter and Matt Elam. This offense is playing well, with senior running back Mike Gillislee carrying the load and Jeff Driskel quickly improving. They are ranked near the top of the BCS standings and looking to reassert themselves on the national stage. Sound familiar?
In 2002, the Gators decided to ruin the party for the Dawgs. Make no mistake, the Gators were not playing their best football entering the contest. As a matter of fact, they were still ranked, but at 5-3 they had already suffered a loss to an Ole Miss team that would finish the year at 6-6. They had also been embarrassed by LSU two weeks earlier, losing 36-7 in Baton Rouge (doesn't this also sound familiar to Georgia losing 35-7 at South Carolina). Despite this, the Gators walked into the stadium in Jacksonville and ruined Georgia's perfect season.
I think it is time to repay the favor.
Is Georgia playing good? Hell no. The loss at South Carolina was embarrassing and the defense looked pathetic in the close win at Kentucky. But does that mean that there is not talent on the team? No.
Make no mistake Georgia fans, it may look bleak. But if you can't look at the big picture and see that a win could mean that all those goals from the beginning of the season will be back on the table, then you are just blinded with hate for the coaching staff. A win Saturday means we will most likely return to Atlanta. Would we be able to hang with Alabama, I have no clue. But you can't find out if you don't even make it in the first place. It's time rally around the team and get a little revenge for 2002.
And by the way, as Georgia we hate Florida. That should be motivation enough.
GO DAWGS!!!!
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Florida. Show all posts
Sunday, October 21, 2012
Sunday, October 23, 2011
It's Hate Week: Let's Get it On!
GATORS! GATORS! HOW'D YA LIKE TO BITE MY ASS!!!
Just thought I'd get that out of the way. It's Florida week 2011 and while a spot in the National Championship is not up for grabs, a spot in the SEC Championship could be at stake. We could talk about history and heroics, but none of that matters on Saturday. I hate Florida, plain and simple. A little part of me dies every year when we head back from Jacksonville with our teeth kicked in.
It sucks that a Georgia team who has won five straight games will most likely be picked against this Saturday in favor of a Florida team with three straight losses and sporting a gimpy quarterback. But that is the reality of the situation. I will have more break down of the match ups this week. For now, I leave you with this:
GO DAWGS!!!
Just thought I'd get that out of the way. It's Florida week 2011 and while a spot in the National Championship is not up for grabs, a spot in the SEC Championship could be at stake. We could talk about history and heroics, but none of that matters on Saturday. I hate Florida, plain and simple. A little part of me dies every year when we head back from Jacksonville with our teeth kicked in.
It sucks that a Georgia team who has won five straight games will most likely be picked against this Saturday in favor of a Florida team with three straight losses and sporting a gimpy quarterback. But that is the reality of the situation. I will have more break down of the match ups this week. For now, I leave you with this:
GO DAWGS!!!
Friday, October 21, 2011
Going Back to Jacksonville
This time next Friday I will be on my way to city on the St. John's river. And while many Bulldog fans make the annual trek to Jacksonville, this will be my first time going since 2004. It was my final year of college (5th year overall!) and we had a senior loaded team led by David Greene, Fred Gibson, and David Pollack. Florida was struggling and had already announced Ron Zook would not return as coach. It was my fourth consecutive trip to Jacksonville, and the Dawgs had lost everyone of them. But with two touchdowns from Leonard Pope and just enough defense, the Dawgs were able to hold on for a 31-24 victory.
I was finally content. Georgia had ended the misery that was Jacksonville for me. As I graduated from Georgia the next spring, I thought it would be a while before I returned to northern Florida in late October. I was right. Now, 7 years later, I prepare to go back to Jacksonville. The Dawgs have gone 1-5 in the last six years, but just as it was in 2004, it appears we are playing better football than the Gators. Can Coach Richt and the boys finally put together a complete game and make me 2 for 2 (2 for 5 overall)? We shall soon find out.
I HATE FLORIDA!
GO DAWGS!!!
I was finally content. Georgia had ended the misery that was Jacksonville for me. As I graduated from Georgia the next spring, I thought it would be a while before I returned to northern Florida in late October. I was right. Now, 7 years later, I prepare to go back to Jacksonville. The Dawgs have gone 1-5 in the last six years, but just as it was in 2004, it appears we are playing better football than the Gators. Can Coach Richt and the boys finally put together a complete game and make me 2 for 2 (2 for 5 overall)? We shall soon find out.
I HATE FLORIDA!
GO DAWGS!!!
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Hate Week 2011: The Warm Up
Florida Hate Week doesn't officially begin until Sunday but with both teams on a bye this weekend, it is never too early to start hating the Gators. We all know Georgia's lack of success against Florida over the last 20 years, but for the first time in a long time, I can honestly say that the past should have little affect on this year's game. Here is why:
- This is not the typical match up of ranked teams. Yes, this game means a great deal to the SEC East race, and specifically to Georgia . But both teams are coming off disappointing seasons in 2010 and have seen South Carolina pass them as the top team in the east. There's no national championship implications, no Heisman trophies, just two historic rivals meeting on the field.
- Urban Meyer is gone. So if Tim Tebow. Florida may have been struggling last year coming into the game, but they still had Urban on the sideline. There is no more curse of Tim Tebow or Urban's crazy spread offense.
- Muschamp was a Dawg. Yes, he may be burning bridges fast, but he still played football at Georgia and that will not be forgotten. As much as he claims to be all in at Florida, I can't see Muschamp pulling any of the tricks Spurrier or Meyer would have against Georgia.
- We both have byes this week. No one has the advantage in the rest department. After all these years of Georgia coming in beat up while Florida is healthy, Georgia actually looks like the healthier team right now. Florida will get Brantley and rested Demps back, but the Dawgs get Alec Ogletree, Malcolm Mitchell, and (hopefully) a revived Isaiah Crowell back.
- Georgia has a lot more on the line than Florida. Muschamp's job is not in jeopardy, it is his first year with a new offensive scheme. But Mark Richt (despite 5 straight wins) still has to be a little uneasy about his position. Georgia has not been to the SEC Championship game since 2005. Florida has won two NCs in that time.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Beating the Gators: Fred Gibson came through in 2002
One of my favorite basketball memories from my days at Georgia was the 2002 game against the Florida Gators in Gainesville. Florida came into the game ranked #2 in the nation and was a 16.5 point favorite. Georgia was enjoying a fine season at 14-3, that included a victory over then #8 Kentucky just the week before. But coming off a loss at home to #16 Alabama, few expected the Dawgs to steal a victory from the Gators at home.
Georgia was Jarvis Hayes and Ezra Williams, who would combine to score 42 points in the game. I remember the balance of that Georgia team, with Rashad Wright running the point and the Hayes brothers up front. For Florida, I remember the combination of Matt Bonner and Udonis Haslem leading the Gators to a 39-36 lead at half. But the Dawgs were able to come back and take the lead into the waning minutes of the game. Coach Herrick sent a reserve guard who had recently joined the basketball team after the end of the football season.
That player was Georgia wide receiver Fred Gibson. Gibson had originally committed to play football for Steve Spurrier at Florida, but switched his commitment to Georgia during the week before national signing day. After having an amazing freshman season on the football field, the Florida fans were ready to taunt Gibson, a player they felt had screwed them over. Gibson got the ball on three consecutive possessions with the Gators just outside of striking distance. Each time he was fouled and sent to the line. I kept wondering why we were leaving a football player out on the court who had little experience in such a crucial situation.
Gibson answered the call. He nailed all 6 of his free throws, helping secure the 84-79 victory. Gibson returned to Athens as probably the most popular player on the team. Gibson would only play one season at Georgia, but that one day in Gainesville will forever hold his place in Georgia basketball history.
Let's go beat them Gators tonight!!! GO DAWGS!!!
Georgia was Jarvis Hayes and Ezra Williams, who would combine to score 42 points in the game. I remember the balance of that Georgia team, with Rashad Wright running the point and the Hayes brothers up front. For Florida, I remember the combination of Matt Bonner and Udonis Haslem leading the Gators to a 39-36 lead at half. But the Dawgs were able to come back and take the lead into the waning minutes of the game. Coach Herrick sent a reserve guard who had recently joined the basketball team after the end of the football season.
That player was Georgia wide receiver Fred Gibson. Gibson had originally committed to play football for Steve Spurrier at Florida, but switched his commitment to Georgia during the week before national signing day. After having an amazing freshman season on the football field, the Florida fans were ready to taunt Gibson, a player they felt had screwed them over. Gibson got the ball on three consecutive possessions with the Gators just outside of striking distance. Each time he was fouled and sent to the line. I kept wondering why we were leaving a football player out on the court who had little experience in such a crucial situation.
Gibson answered the call. He nailed all 6 of his free throws, helping secure the 84-79 victory. Gibson returned to Athens as probably the most popular player on the team. Gibson would only play one season at Georgia, but that one day in Gainesville will forever hold his place in Georgia basketball history.
Let's go beat them Gators tonight!!! GO DAWGS!!!
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Muschamp took the Florida job...get over it
When I heard the news that Will Muschamp would be the new head coach of the University of Florida, I was shocked. Not because Florida had hired a Georgia grad who was the coach in waiting at Texas, but because Jeremy Foley hired a coach with no previous head coaching experience to lead one of the most successful programs in the country.
Florida has been a national power in college football over the last 20 years. That began with the hiring of Steve Spurrier, who was a Florida graduate. However, Spurrier was experienced having coached in the USFL before helping lead Duke University to a share of the ACC Championship in 1989. After Spurrier's run, the Gators promoted assistant Ron Zook, who had no previous head coaching experience. The Gators struggled over the next 3 seasons and Zook was fired. This time, the Gators went back to their old formula, finding a young but experienced coach to come in. Urban Meyer had been coach at Bowling Green and later Utah, who he lead to a BCS bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Meyer would win two national championships over the next six seasons.
But the hiring of Muschamp goes against the method that has brought the Gators success. Does that mean that Muschamp will be a bust like Zook? Certainly not. But before Dawg fans freak out about Florida hiring the man who many considered to be a future Georgia coach, let's see how he performs.
As a Georgia fan, it always hurts to see one of your own join the enemy. But the anger that some have expressed towards Muschamp in recent days is ridiculous. The head coaching position at a major university is the pinnacle for any collegiate coach. Will Muschamp has been given the opportunity to take over a program that is less than two years away from its last national title. Anyone who says they would turn down this offer (and the $2.7 million starting salary) because they root for another school is an idiot.
I certainly do not want to see Muschamp continue the success of Urban Meyer and it will be painful to watch him wear the blue and orange. But does it mean I want to disown him as a member of the Bulldog Nation? No. He has been given an amazing opportunity and I wish him the best, just as long as that means a loss to the Dawgs in Jacksonville each fall. Will Muschamp is the new coach of the Florida Gators, not the Georgia Bulldogs, and I am perfectly happy with that.
Florida has been a national power in college football over the last 20 years. That began with the hiring of Steve Spurrier, who was a Florida graduate. However, Spurrier was experienced having coached in the USFL before helping lead Duke University to a share of the ACC Championship in 1989. After Spurrier's run, the Gators promoted assistant Ron Zook, who had no previous head coaching experience. The Gators struggled over the next 3 seasons and Zook was fired. This time, the Gators went back to their old formula, finding a young but experienced coach to come in. Urban Meyer had been coach at Bowling Green and later Utah, who he lead to a BCS bowl victory over Pittsburgh. Meyer would win two national championships over the next six seasons.
But the hiring of Muschamp goes against the method that has brought the Gators success. Does that mean that Muschamp will be a bust like Zook? Certainly not. But before Dawg fans freak out about Florida hiring the man who many considered to be a future Georgia coach, let's see how he performs.
As a Georgia fan, it always hurts to see one of your own join the enemy. But the anger that some have expressed towards Muschamp in recent days is ridiculous. The head coaching position at a major university is the pinnacle for any collegiate coach. Will Muschamp has been given the opportunity to take over a program that is less than two years away from its last national title. Anyone who says they would turn down this offer (and the $2.7 million starting salary) because they root for another school is an idiot.
I certainly do not want to see Muschamp continue the success of Urban Meyer and it will be painful to watch him wear the blue and orange. But does it mean I want to disown him as a member of the Bulldog Nation? No. He has been given an amazing opportunity and I wish him the best, just as long as that means a loss to the Dawgs in Jacksonville each fall. Will Muschamp is the new coach of the Florida Gators, not the Georgia Bulldogs, and I am perfectly happy with that.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
The Mississippi State Factor
2004 was Coach Richt's fourth year on the sideline for the Georgia Bulldogs. After already winning an SEC Championship and playing for another, Coach Richt had one item left on his SEC checklist: beat the Florida Gators. An experienced Georgia team led by seniors David Greene and David Pollack had thumped defending national champion LSU a few weeks earlier, and despite a slip up against Tennessee, were expected to compete for the SEC Championship.
Florida, on the other hand, was struggling. Coach Ron Zook was already on the hot seat the week before the Georgia game when he took his Gators to Starkville. Mississippi State was in its first year under Sylvester Croom and not expected to hang with Florida. On that day, the western Bulldogs beat the Gators 38-31, and the term "getting Croomed" was born. The next day, Florida made Ron Zook a lame duck coach by announcing that he would not return for the 2005 season.
With the Gator's struggling, Georgia took advantage and earned their first victory over Florida in the 2000's. David Greene hooked up with Fred Gibson in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory:
Six years later, the Dawgs head to Jacksonville with Gators reeling from a defeat at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. After the rough start for Georgia, the Dawgs have won three straight SEC games while scoring at least 41 points in all three contests. Florida has lost three games in a row, averaging only 14 points per game.
Will the Mississippi State factor be enough to help Georgia get back above .500? We'll find out Saturday in Jacksonville.
GO DAWGS!!!
Florida, on the other hand, was struggling. Coach Ron Zook was already on the hot seat the week before the Georgia game when he took his Gators to Starkville. Mississippi State was in its first year under Sylvester Croom and not expected to hang with Florida. On that day, the western Bulldogs beat the Gators 38-31, and the term "getting Croomed" was born. The next day, Florida made Ron Zook a lame duck coach by announcing that he would not return for the 2005 season.
With the Gator's struggling, Georgia took advantage and earned their first victory over Florida in the 2000's. David Greene hooked up with Fred Gibson in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory:
Six years later, the Dawgs head to Jacksonville with Gators reeling from a defeat at the hands of the Mississippi State Bulldogs. After the rough start for Georgia, the Dawgs have won three straight SEC games while scoring at least 41 points in all three contests. Florida has lost three games in a row, averaging only 14 points per game.
Will the Mississippi State factor be enough to help Georgia get back above .500? We'll find out Saturday in Jacksonville.
GO DAWGS!!!
It's Hate Week!
Hey Florida, this video sums up exactly my feeling about your football team and your university!
Welcome to 2010 Hate Week!
Gators, Gators! How'd you like to bite my ass!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
Welcome to 2010 Hate Week!
Gators, Gators! How'd you like to bite my ass!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Defending National Champs...Who Cares???
When the Dawgs meet the Gators in Jacksonville on Saturday, it will mark the fourth time this decade Georgia has faced a defending National Champion. In the three previous contests, Georgia has emerged victorious. The Dawgs defeated LSU in 2004 and 2008 after the Tigers had taken home the BCS trophy. And we all remember what happened the last time the Dawgs faced a defending NC Gator team with a bye week to prepare:
Let's hope the Dawgs bring some of the same fire they brought to the table in 2007. GO DAWGS!!!
Let's hope the Dawgs bring some of the same fire they brought to the table in 2007. GO DAWGS!!!
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Ultimate Nightmares: Nerds & Gators In The National Championship
Yesterday morning over breakfast, my roommate told me he had the most awful, disturbing, and horrific nightmare of his life.
He told me he saw images of a disgusting sight. The old gold/mustard/off-yellow dressed fans cheering on the Trade School against Floriduh in the National Championship.
I nearly slapped him for suggesting that he could even have a thought process to conjure up a nightmare of such horrific standards.
Think about that. It's so awful, I didn't want to bring it up to put the thought in your heads. However, it is so awful, I couldn't help but bring it up!
While very far fetched and vastly unlikely to happen, the reality is at the moment it is not completely impossible.
That's a pretty scary notion and one I will do almost anything to push out of my brain. Just the thought of it makes me want to do everything in my power to ensure that Miami doesn't lose again, or work to ensure that we pummel the Trade School into a post-Thanksgiving submission.
Imagine over 92,000 bandwagoners filling the Rose Bowl. That's just not football. It might even be the absolute end of football!
I might stab my eyes out at such a sight. While you would root for injuries, there would be the undeniable fact that nothing beneficial for Dawgs could result from such a match up.
This is too awful to discuss any further. Let us never speak of this again.
He told me he saw images of a disgusting sight. The old gold/mustard/off-yellow dressed fans cheering on the Trade School against Floriduh in the National Championship.
I nearly slapped him for suggesting that he could even have a thought process to conjure up a nightmare of such horrific standards.
Think about that. It's so awful, I didn't want to bring it up to put the thought in your heads. However, it is so awful, I couldn't help but bring it up!
While very far fetched and vastly unlikely to happen, the reality is at the moment it is not completely impossible.
That's a pretty scary notion and one I will do almost anything to push out of my brain. Just the thought of it makes me want to do everything in my power to ensure that Miami doesn't lose again, or work to ensure that we pummel the Trade School into a post-Thanksgiving submission.
Imagine over 92,000 bandwagoners filling the Rose Bowl. That's just not football. It might even be the absolute end of football!
I might stab my eyes out at such a sight. While you would root for injuries, there would be the undeniable fact that nothing beneficial for Dawgs could result from such a match up.
This is too awful to discuss any further. Let us never speak of this again.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '98 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #5
1998 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #3
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #6 Tennessee 20-17 (OT) (UF ranked #2)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
@ #5 Florida State 23-12 (UF ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#11 LSU 22-10
#11 Georgia 38-7
Orange Bowl: #18 Syracuse 31-10 (Big East Champion)
Star Power: WR Travis McGriff, WR Darrell Jackson, OT Zach Piller, OT Cooper Carlisle, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Reggie McGrew, DT Ed Chester, LB Mike Peterson, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Johnny Rutledge, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Tennessee?
Took the eventual national champion to overtime on the road. Its other loss, also on the road, came to the other participant in the national championship game. Got revenge on both LSU and Georgia for the '97 losses.
Bubba says: I can take the blame for this team in our rankings as it was my argument that got this version of the Gators up at #5. Like the 1997 squad, they were a QB away from being a very good football team and the defense, led by 3 outstanding linebackers, was better than the season before. Yes, they lost Fred Taylor the season before, but Terry Jackson was a serviceable SEC tailback and it's not like Spurrier coached teams couldn't score points. Florida had some outstanding teams in this time period and yes, it's weird to have this team as high as they are on our list. However, even with their flaws, the quality of their losses were far stronger than any of the other UF squads on this list. If I have to choose between 1997 Florida and this team, I go with the 1998 version head to head.
Tim Couch's highlights against the '98 Gators. Included because BulldawgJosh and BFR partied with former Kentucky RB Anthony White (#32) when the Dawgs traveled to Lexington last year.
Earl says: Even though the '98 Gators had some "quality" losses to the two national championship game participants, which is why they are ranked this high, I don't think they could beat many teams on this list. The same trouble at quarterback that the '97 Florida team (also featured on this list) had, plus the departure of RB Fred Taylor left this team highly reliable on Bob Stoops' final defense at Florida. The linebackers on this team were monsters, but they were the exact same starting three that the '97 Gators had.
The wins over ranked opponents came against an LSU team that turned out to be pretty pathetic by year's end; a Georgia team that psyched itself out by wearing black pants following the '97 win over the Gators; and a Syracuse team that featured QB Donovan McNabb but represented a very weak Big East conference, which hadn't seen the resurgence of Miami yet.
In my mind, Fred Taylor made '97 Florida better than the '98 version. My first and only major disagreement of our Top 10.
Side note: If the '98 Gators would've beaten FSU and finished the regular season with one loss, would they have backed into a rematch with Tennessee in the very first BCS title game? Imagine the Vol fans reaction to that!
Next installment: #4 - 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida
#9 - 1997 Florida
#8 - 2006 LSU
#7 - 2007 Georgia
#6 - 2001 Tennessee
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC title (post-1992): #5
1998 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #3
Final AP Ranking: #5
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Record: 10-2 (7-1)
Losses:
@ #6 Tennessee 20-17 (OT) (UF ranked #2)
- eventual SEC and National Champion
@ #5 Florida State 23-12 (UF ranked #4)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#11 LSU 22-10
#11 Georgia 38-7
Orange Bowl: #18 Syracuse 31-10 (Big East Champion)
Star Power: WR Travis McGriff, WR Darrell Jackson, OT Zach Piller, OT Cooper Carlisle, DE Tim Beauchamp, DT Reggie McGrew, DT Ed Chester, LB Mike Peterson, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Johnny Rutledge, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Tennessee?
Took the eventual national champion to overtime on the road. Its other loss, also on the road, came to the other participant in the national championship game. Got revenge on both LSU and Georgia for the '97 losses.
Bubba says: I can take the blame for this team in our rankings as it was my argument that got this version of the Gators up at #5. Like the 1997 squad, they were a QB away from being a very good football team and the defense, led by 3 outstanding linebackers, was better than the season before. Yes, they lost Fred Taylor the season before, but Terry Jackson was a serviceable SEC tailback and it's not like Spurrier coached teams couldn't score points. Florida had some outstanding teams in this time period and yes, it's weird to have this team as high as they are on our list. However, even with their flaws, the quality of their losses were far stronger than any of the other UF squads on this list. If I have to choose between 1997 Florida and this team, I go with the 1998 version head to head.
Tim Couch's highlights against the '98 Gators. Included because BulldawgJosh and BFR partied with former Kentucky RB Anthony White (#32) when the Dawgs traveled to Lexington last year.
Earl says: Even though the '98 Gators had some "quality" losses to the two national championship game participants, which is why they are ranked this high, I don't think they could beat many teams on this list. The same trouble at quarterback that the '97 Florida team (also featured on this list) had, plus the departure of RB Fred Taylor left this team highly reliable on Bob Stoops' final defense at Florida. The linebackers on this team were monsters, but they were the exact same starting three that the '97 Gators had.
The wins over ranked opponents came against an LSU team that turned out to be pretty pathetic by year's end; a Georgia team that psyched itself out by wearing black pants following the '97 win over the Gators; and a Syracuse team that featured QB Donovan McNabb but represented a very weak Big East conference, which hadn't seen the resurgence of Miami yet.
In my mind, Fred Taylor made '97 Florida better than the '98 version. My first and only major disagreement of our Top 10.
Side note: If the '98 Gators would've beaten FSU and finished the regular season with one loss, would they have backed into a rematch with Tennessee in the very first BCS title game? Imagine the Vol fans reaction to that!
Next installment: #4 - 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '97 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida Gators
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #9
1997 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #2
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Losses:
@ #14 LSU 28-21 (UF ranked #1)
#14 Georgia 37-17 (UF ranked #6)
(had some trouble against 14th ranked teams, huh)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#4 Tennessee 33-20 (eventual SEC Champion)
@#6 Auburn 24-10
#2 Florida State 32-29 (ACC Champion)
Citrus Bowl: #11 Penn State 21-6 (AP Preseason #1)
Star Power: RB Fred Taylor, WR Jacquez Green, OT Mo Collins, OT Zach Piller, DT Reggie McGrew, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Mike Peterson, LB Johnny Rutledge, CB Fred Weary, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Florida?
More meaningful wins. Defeated both teams that participated in the SEC Championship Game, Tennessee and Auburn, while both were ranked in the top 6. But, most importantly, ruined Florida State's undefeated season and #2 ranking in what many Florida fans consider the best game they've experienced in the Swamp...EVER (when your history begins in 1990, EVER isn't a long time though).
Bubba says: 1997 was probably the most entertaining year in terms of quality teams and competition that the SEC saw in the 1990s. As much as it pains me to say it, the Florida team was probably the strongest team in the confrence that season with dominant wins over both the West and East champions. Yes, UGA beat this team by 20, but how did the Dawgs handle Tennessee and Auburn?
This was the first Florida team that really saw the results of the Ole' Ball Coach bringing Bob Stoops to his staff. The defense was outstanding and would only get better with the young stars listed above. The biggest knock on this team was the simple lack of good quarterback play and inconsistencies at that position would haunt the Gators for the rest of the decade. The offense was loaded with little Quizzy and Fred Taylor, but Doug Johnson was a head case and Noah Brindise was not a scolarship player for a reason. If this team has Rex Grossman, Shane Matthews, or even an upperclassmen Jessie Palmer on the roster, the Gators most likely would have been SEC Champions. In my mind this team won in spite of Doug Johnson and as much as it kills me, deserves to be here over 1997 UGA due to their quality wins.
Eighty yards in three plays to beat FSU. Sean McDonough and Terry Donahue on the call for CBS. Best part of the video? Sebastian Janikowski mocking the chomp at the beginning...
Earl says: The 1997 SEC season was incredibly competitive. Five teams finished with two conference losses or less: Tennessee (SEC Champion), Florida, Georgia, Auburn and LSU. Because of that, I had some difficulty with this selection of 1997 Florida in the top 10, especially with the 20-point loss to Georgia. A loss in which the Gators were a 20-point favorite (of course, Florida was always about a 17- to 20-point favorite against every other good SEC team in the '90s). Ultimately though, the Gators defeated four teams in the top 11, including handing their first losses of the season to Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State.
When Florida won on the Plains in mid October, Tennessee people thought the SEC East was done. The Gators had locked it up again. Peyton Manning wouldn't get his SEC championship. But along came the Dawgs on the St. John's River for the first time since 1989. How good was Georgia? How good was Florida? How good was Auburn? How good was LSU? For that matter, how good was the eventual SEC Champion Tennessee? I think the answer to those questions is the same. They all deserved their top 10 rankings in 1997 at some point during the season. They were all good. But it can be argued that Florida had more meaningful wins than any of those other four SEC teams in 1997. And for the first time under Spurrier, the Gators relied on a stud senior RB in Fred Taylor and a stingy defense under the direction of Bob Stoops.
Next installment: #8 - 2006 LSU Tigers
BNE Top 10 List so far...
#10 - 2001 Florida Gators
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #9
1997 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #2
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #4
Final Coaches Ranking: #6
Losses:
@ #14 LSU 28-21 (UF ranked #1)
#14 Georgia 37-17 (UF ranked #6)
(had some trouble against 14th ranked teams, huh)
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
#4 Tennessee 33-20 (eventual SEC Champion)
@#6 Auburn 24-10
#2 Florida State 32-29 (ACC Champion)
Citrus Bowl: #11 Penn State 21-6 (AP Preseason #1)
Star Power: RB Fred Taylor, WR Jacquez Green, OT Mo Collins, OT Zach Piller, DT Reggie McGrew, LB Jevon Kearse, LB Mike Peterson, LB Johnny Rutledge, CB Fred Weary, S Tony George
Why Ahead of '01 Florida?
More meaningful wins. Defeated both teams that participated in the SEC Championship Game, Tennessee and Auburn, while both were ranked in the top 6. But, most importantly, ruined Florida State's undefeated season and #2 ranking in what many Florida fans consider the best game they've experienced in the Swamp...EVER (when your history begins in 1990, EVER isn't a long time though).
Bubba says: 1997 was probably the most entertaining year in terms of quality teams and competition that the SEC saw in the 1990s. As much as it pains me to say it, the Florida team was probably the strongest team in the confrence that season with dominant wins over both the West and East champions. Yes, UGA beat this team by 20, but how did the Dawgs handle Tennessee and Auburn?
This was the first Florida team that really saw the results of the Ole' Ball Coach bringing Bob Stoops to his staff. The defense was outstanding and would only get better with the young stars listed above. The biggest knock on this team was the simple lack of good quarterback play and inconsistencies at that position would haunt the Gators for the rest of the decade. The offense was loaded with little Quizzy and Fred Taylor, but Doug Johnson was a head case and Noah Brindise was not a scolarship player for a reason. If this team has Rex Grossman, Shane Matthews, or even an upperclassmen Jessie Palmer on the roster, the Gators most likely would have been SEC Champions. In my mind this team won in spite of Doug Johnson and as much as it kills me, deserves to be here over 1997 UGA due to their quality wins.
Eighty yards in three plays to beat FSU. Sean McDonough and Terry Donahue on the call for CBS. Best part of the video? Sebastian Janikowski mocking the chomp at the beginning...
Earl says: The 1997 SEC season was incredibly competitive. Five teams finished with two conference losses or less: Tennessee (SEC Champion), Florida, Georgia, Auburn and LSU. Because of that, I had some difficulty with this selection of 1997 Florida in the top 10, especially with the 20-point loss to Georgia. A loss in which the Gators were a 20-point favorite (of course, Florida was always about a 17- to 20-point favorite against every other good SEC team in the '90s). Ultimately though, the Gators defeated four teams in the top 11, including handing their first losses of the season to Tennessee, Auburn and Florida State.
When Florida won on the Plains in mid October, Tennessee people thought the SEC East was done. The Gators had locked it up again. Peyton Manning wouldn't get his SEC championship. But along came the Dawgs on the St. John's River for the first time since 1989. How good was Georgia? How good was Florida? How good was Auburn? How good was LSU? For that matter, how good was the eventual SEC Champion Tennessee? I think the answer to those questions is the same. They all deserved their top 10 rankings in 1997 at some point during the season. They were all good. But it can be argued that Florida had more meaningful wins than any of those other four SEC teams in 1997. And for the first time under Spurrier, the Gators relied on a stud senior RB in Fred Taylor and a stingy defense under the direction of Bob Stoops.
Next installment: #8 - 2006 LSU Tigers
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Where's The Hardware? '01 Florida Gators
Disclaimer: This list and subsequent blog posts were formed to create conversation between SEC fans about teams that were very close to having championship seasons. Looking at the teams listed and thinking about the teams that were left off further proves the depth of the SEC and the focus needed to win week in and week out. Teams were chosen and ranked based on significant wins/losses, star power and old school opinion (because we're opinionated SEC fans).
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #10
2001 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #1
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ Auburn 23-20 (UF ranked #1)
#4 Tennessee 34-32 (UF ranked #2)
- game postponed to Dec. 1 due to 9/11
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 LSU 44-15 (eventual SEC Champion)
#15 Georgia 24-10
@ #14 South Carolina 54-17
#21 Florida State 37-13
Orange Bowl: #6 Maryland 56-23 (ACC Champion)
Star power: QB Rex Grossman, WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Reche Caldwell, WR Taylor Jacobs, RB Earnest Graham, DE Alex Brown, LB Mike Nattiel, LB Andra Davis, CB Lito Sheppard, S Marquand Manuel
Why in Top 10?
The preseason #1 ranked team and defending SEC Champion was less than a touchdown away from keeping a #1 or #2 ranking all season.
Bubba says: The two premier teams of 2001 were Miami and Florida. It was clear early in the season that those two squads were dynamic and potentially dominant. Florida ended up with two losses, in my mind, because of situations surrounding the two games they lost. The Auburn game was after a hurricane and the Tennessee game was rescheduled because of September 11th. Both teams caught the Gators in the perfect spot, took advantage of the situation and I will forever have an image of Travis Stephens running down the Swamp sideline for over 200 yards. The biggest knock I have on these two losses was that neither Auburn nor Tennessee won the conference. However, a 29-point win over the eventual SEC Champions is something to be impressed with. From a talent standpoint, this could have been one of the all time great SEC teams. The bounces didn't go they way of the Gators in 2001 and the Ole' Ball Coach bounced his way to the NFL.
Poor Alex Brown came back for his senior season and didn't get that National Title. What a pity.
Duval's three field goals in winds left over from a hurricane that beat Florida. Remember when Duval got into a shoving match with the LSU band? What a douche.
Earl says: This team ultimately played three close games and lost two of them. The Georgia game was 17-10 for what seemed like forever as Georgia squandered possession after possession in the second half and Florida finally tacked on the final score. This 2001 Gator team, however, absolutely dominated some quality opponents. Winning by 29 points in Death Valley is nothing to sneeze at. With everything on the line, though, the '01 version of Florida lost at home to the highest ranked team it played all season (#4 UT).
As for the Auburn loss, when doesn't Auburn beat Florida? Really. The Tigers rotating off Florida's schedule is always a Godsend for the Gators. The sin of this particular loss to the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles is that Damon Duval made three field goals in winds due to an earlier hurricane, including the game winning 44 yarder with 10 seconds left, as Rexy taunted the Auburn fans. Of course, Damon Duval was a household name in the SEC, only not for his kicking sometimes.
And what happens to a preseason #1 team when it loses two games? Spurrier's career at Florida ends playing Maryland, that's what. Seriously!?! Maryland!?! At least it would've been poetic if somehow Duke would've risen up in that weak sister conference and the Gators could've played the Blue Devils in Spurrier's final game. Now that would've deserved a top 25 vote from SOS...or from SOS's sports information director...
Next installment: #9 - 1997 Florida Gators (10-2)
BNE's best teams to not win the SEC (post-1992): #10
2001 Florida Gators
AP Preseason #1
Record: 10-2 (6-2)
Final AP Ranking: #3
Final Coaches Ranking: #3
Losses:
@ Auburn 23-20 (UF ranked #1)
#4 Tennessee 34-32 (UF ranked #2)
- game postponed to Dec. 1 due to 9/11
Wins vs. Ranked Opponents:
@ #18 LSU 44-15 (eventual SEC Champion)
#15 Georgia 24-10
@ #14 South Carolina 54-17
#21 Florida State 37-13
Orange Bowl: #6 Maryland 56-23 (ACC Champion)
Star power: QB Rex Grossman, WR Jabar Gaffney, WR Reche Caldwell, WR Taylor Jacobs, RB Earnest Graham, DE Alex Brown, LB Mike Nattiel, LB Andra Davis, CB Lito Sheppard, S Marquand Manuel
Why in Top 10?
The preseason #1 ranked team and defending SEC Champion was less than a touchdown away from keeping a #1 or #2 ranking all season.
Bubba says: The two premier teams of 2001 were Miami and Florida. It was clear early in the season that those two squads were dynamic and potentially dominant. Florida ended up with two losses, in my mind, because of situations surrounding the two games they lost. The Auburn game was after a hurricane and the Tennessee game was rescheduled because of September 11th. Both teams caught the Gators in the perfect spot, took advantage of the situation and I will forever have an image of Travis Stephens running down the Swamp sideline for over 200 yards. The biggest knock I have on these two losses was that neither Auburn nor Tennessee won the conference. However, a 29-point win over the eventual SEC Champions is something to be impressed with. From a talent standpoint, this could have been one of the all time great SEC teams. The bounces didn't go they way of the Gators in 2001 and the Ole' Ball Coach bounced his way to the NFL.
Poor Alex Brown came back for his senior season and didn't get that National Title. What a pity.
Duval's three field goals in winds left over from a hurricane that beat Florida. Remember when Duval got into a shoving match with the LSU band? What a douche.
Earl says: This team ultimately played three close games and lost two of them. The Georgia game was 17-10 for what seemed like forever as Georgia squandered possession after possession in the second half and Florida finally tacked on the final score. This 2001 Gator team, however, absolutely dominated some quality opponents. Winning by 29 points in Death Valley is nothing to sneeze at. With everything on the line, though, the '01 version of Florida lost at home to the highest ranked team it played all season (#4 UT).
As for the Auburn loss, when doesn't Auburn beat Florida? Really. The Tigers rotating off Florida's schedule is always a Godsend for the Gators. The sin of this particular loss to the Tigers/Plainsmen/War Eagles is that Damon Duval made three field goals in winds due to an earlier hurricane, including the game winning 44 yarder with 10 seconds left, as Rexy taunted the Auburn fans. Of course, Damon Duval was a household name in the SEC, only not for his kicking sometimes.
And what happens to a preseason #1 team when it loses two games? Spurrier's career at Florida ends playing Maryland, that's what. Seriously!?! Maryland!?! At least it would've been poetic if somehow Duke would've risen up in that weak sister conference and the Gators could've played the Blue Devils in Spurrier's final game. Now that would've deserved a top 25 vote from SOS...or from SOS's sports information director...
Next installment: #9 - 1997 Florida Gators (10-2)
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Recruiting 2010: Competing with Florida and Bama
It is July and news is slow right now, what better a time to talk recruiting. With the commitment of Brandon Burrows yesterday, the Georgia recruiting class for 2010 is starting to look really impressive. Georgia has already picked up 7 commitments in state and another 6 in the state of Florida. What is most impressive about this class is how well Georgia has fared going head-to-head with Florida, Alabama, and other southeastern schools. Here's a look at the commitments the Dawgs have so far and other offers each player had from schools in the southeast:
Brandon Burrows - Florida, Alabama, Tennessee
Ken Malcome - Florida, Alabama, Clemson
Alec Ogletree - Alabama, Auburn, LSU
Deon Rogers - Florida International
Demetre Baker - Miami, South Carolina, East Carolina
Michael Bennett - Southern Miss
Brent Benedict - Florida, Alabama, Clemson
Da'Rick Rogers - Florida, Alabama, LSU
Kolton Houston - Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina
Marc Deas - Kentucky, Ole Miss, UCF
Jalen Fields - Florida, Alabama, Tennessee
Derek Owens - Florida, South Carolina
While Alec Ogletree is no doubt the prize of the class so far, I really think that the combination of Da'Rick Rogers, Marlon Brown, and AJ Green will be a lot of fun to watch in the Georgia passing game in 2010.
GO DAWGS!!!
Brandon Burrows - Florida, Alabama, Tennessee
Ken Malcome - Florida, Alabama, Clemson
Alec Ogletree - Alabama, Auburn, LSU
Deon Rogers - Florida International
Demetre Baker - Miami, South Carolina, East Carolina
Michael Bennett - Southern Miss
Brent Benedict - Florida, Alabama, Clemson
Da'Rick Rogers - Florida, Alabama, LSU
Kolton Houston - Auburn, Tennessee, South Carolina
Marc Deas - Kentucky, Ole Miss, UCF
Jalen Fields - Florida, Alabama, Tennessee
Derek Owens - Florida, South Carolina
While Alec Ogletree is no doubt the prize of the class so far, I really think that the combination of Da'Rick Rogers, Marlon Brown, and AJ Green will be a lot of fun to watch in the Georgia passing game in 2010.
GO DAWGS!!!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Congrats Southern Miss!
Congratulations to the Southern Miss Golden Eagles baseball team for defeating the Nats at Russ Chandler Stadium on the Flats. Danny Hall's teams continue to have the market cornered on shattered dreams.Southern Miss will now face the Gators in Gainesville in the Super Regionals best-of-three series this weekend.
Here's to Southern Miss knocking off Greggy and Georgey and the rest of the other Hitler youth in Gatorland.
For a school with a rich history of upsetting SEC football teams, let's hope it translates to baseball. The Golden Eagles are a team I could pull for in Omaha.
Didn't Even Have to Use His AK, Today was a Good Day
Florida CB Janoris Jenkins was arrested over the weekend in Gainesville for his involvement in a street fight. While police used a Taser to subdue Janoris because he apparently wouldn't stop fighting (according to police reports), this isn't the same type of offense we are used to coming out of Gainesville over the past few years.
Gainesville police are pros with the Taser. Don't Tase Me Bro!
Hey, at least Janoris didn't have to use his AK.
So, all in all, today was a good day for Janoris.
Thank goodness for Urban Meyer that Florida opens the season with Charleston Southern because if they were playing, say, Miami to open the season, Meyer might've had to wait until the second game of the season to play out Janoris' suspension.
Gainesville police are pros with the Taser. Don't Tase Me Bro!
Hey, at least Janoris didn't have to use his AK.
So, all in all, today was a good day for Janoris.
Thank goodness for Urban Meyer that Florida opens the season with Charleston Southern because if they were playing, say, Miami to open the season, Meyer might've had to wait until the second game of the season to play out Janoris' suspension.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
I'll be wearing Crimson and White
For the second straight game, Florida plays a team whose primary colors are a white and a shade of crimson. No matter how much pride I have for the SEC, I cannot bring myself to root for the Gators. I hope Sam Bradford and the Sooner offense score enough points to make poor little Timmy cry.
I hate Florida.
Go Sooners!!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Give Me That Old Time Religion
As I write this, I'm listening to ESPN's "Around the Horn" in the background arguing about just who deserves to be the "national champion." Wasn't the wonderful BCS supposed to settle this for us when it was created 10 years ago. Instead the conference commissioners and college presidents gave us some half-assed excuse between the old bowl system and a playoff, and we ended up with the worst possible system of all.
So is the winner of the Oklahoma-Florida game, Texas, USC or Utah the "national champion?" They told us 10 years ago that it was the winner of the Oklahoma-Florida game. Why? What separates Oklahoma and Florida from the rest? Oh, that's right, they occupy the #1 and #2 slots. And that's all. That's it. That's the only difference. That, and the fact that Oklahoma lost to Texas, that Utah is undefeated with a win over a quality SEC opponent in the Sugar Bowl, and that USC just might have the "best" loss out of all the 1-loss teams considering it was on the road.
So, if we're not going to get an 8-team playoff anytime soon, why not just go back to the old bowl system? Remember when more than one bowl game mattered on New Year's Day, back before we started to pretend that only one game matters now. The Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton and Fiesta.
So why not the Big XII Champion Oklahoma tied into the Fiesta and the SEC Champion Florida tied into the Sugar? Make those top 2 teams play the toughest team possible. In other words, send the #3 Texas Longhorns to play the Gators. Send the #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (I know, I know...the Tide lost to Utah) to play the Sooners. If the Sooners win, they win it all. If they don't, then the Gators-Longhorns winner takes it. Give me that Old Time Religion when New Year's Day meant something.
So is the winner of the Oklahoma-Florida game, Texas, USC or Utah the "national champion?" They told us 10 years ago that it was the winner of the Oklahoma-Florida game. Why? What separates Oklahoma and Florida from the rest? Oh, that's right, they occupy the #1 and #2 slots. And that's all. That's it. That's the only difference. That, and the fact that Oklahoma lost to Texas, that Utah is undefeated with a win over a quality SEC opponent in the Sugar Bowl, and that USC just might have the "best" loss out of all the 1-loss teams considering it was on the road.
So, if we're not going to get an 8-team playoff anytime soon, why not just go back to the old bowl system? Remember when more than one bowl game mattered on New Year's Day, back before we started to pretend that only one game matters now. The Rose, Sugar, Orange, Cotton and Fiesta.
So why not the Big XII Champion Oklahoma tied into the Fiesta and the SEC Champion Florida tied into the Sugar? Make those top 2 teams play the toughest team possible. In other words, send the #3 Texas Longhorns to play the Gators. Send the #4 Alabama Crimson Tide (I know, I know...the Tide lost to Utah) to play the Sooners. If the Sooners win, they win it all. If they don't, then the Gators-Longhorns winner takes it. Give me that Old Time Religion when New Year's Day meant something.
Friday, December 5, 2008
BNE's SEC Title Game Predictions
Number 1 vs. Number 2, at least the AP Poll says so. You can't get any better than that for the SEC Championship Game. Alabama vs. Florida for the SEC Championship for the first time since 1999. It's the 6th time these two teams have met for the title, the most of any matchup. It's Alabama's 6th trip to the SEC Championship Game (2-3), while it's Florida's 9th trip (6-2), the most of any SEC school.
As much as it pains the BNE crew to pick this SEC Championship Game, we will do it for the good of the blog.
BFR: Florida 37, Alabama 17. Gross, disgusting. I f***ing hate them [Gators].
Streit: Florida 38, Alabama 23. I think it will be a close game until the 2nd half, and Florida will tack on a score or two in the 4th quarter to put it out of reach. If Percy Harvin is limited or doesn't play, Alabama has more of a chance.
Earl: Florida 27, Alabama 23. The Gators win, but don't cover the spread. Alabama has been hearing about how good the Gators are for an entire month now. That's great motivation for Saban and Co. If Florida had a lesser coach, I would take Alabama to the bank. But Urban's excellent too. And Florida's talent puts them over the top as Tebow wills it at the end.
BulldawgJosh: Alabama 34, Florida 28. I hate both of these teams...I-hate-them-so-much...I can't encompass in written words how much I hate both of them, and I have to do it at the same time. These two groups combined means an arrogant and delusional apocalypse is upon us this weekend.
The Tide will not roll over, except to roll over on Teblowme. Rammer Jammer Yellow Bananer.
Bubba: Alabama 28, Florida 27. Logic would say pick Florida because Alabama isn't going to score over 30 points. It is going to take a strong defensive gameplan from Saban and Co. to deny the Gators. Look for Bama to make a couple of strong Red Zone stands and force a turnover or two. Florida may not be ready to take a couple of blows in the face, and the Tide should come out motivated and swinging.
Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson is terrible in the Jon England/Mike Usry mold. Hopefully, JPW can look forward to a career as a landlord as well.
Note: I've picked against Florida twice this season and they've made me look pretty bad by blowing out both Tennessee and LSU.
In Conclusion: Florida 3, Alabama 2 with an average score of
Florida 31, Alabama 25.
As much as it pains the BNE crew to pick this SEC Championship Game, we will do it for the good of the blog.
BFR: Florida 37, Alabama 17. Gross, disgusting. I f***ing hate them [Gators].
Streit: Florida 38, Alabama 23. I think it will be a close game until the 2nd half, and Florida will tack on a score or two in the 4th quarter to put it out of reach. If Percy Harvin is limited or doesn't play, Alabama has more of a chance.
Earl: Florida 27, Alabama 23. The Gators win, but don't cover the spread. Alabama has been hearing about how good the Gators are for an entire month now. That's great motivation for Saban and Co. If Florida had a lesser coach, I would take Alabama to the bank. But Urban's excellent too. And Florida's talent puts them over the top as Tebow wills it at the end.
BulldawgJosh: Alabama 34, Florida 28. I hate both of these teams...I-hate-them-so-much...I can't encompass in written words how much I hate both of them, and I have to do it at the same time. These two groups combined means an arrogant and delusional apocalypse is upon us this weekend.
The Tide will not roll over, except to roll over on Teblowme. Rammer Jammer Yellow Bananer.
Bubba: Alabama 28, Florida 27. Logic would say pick Florida because Alabama isn't going to score over 30 points. It is going to take a strong defensive gameplan from Saban and Co. to deny the Gators. Look for Bama to make a couple of strong Red Zone stands and force a turnover or two. Florida may not be ready to take a couple of blows in the face, and the Tide should come out motivated and swinging.
Sarah Jessica Parker Wilson is terrible in the Jon England/Mike Usry mold. Hopefully, JPW can look forward to a career as a landlord as well.
Note: I've picked against Florida twice this season and they've made me look pretty bad by blowing out both Tennessee and LSU.
In Conclusion: Florida 3, Alabama 2 with an average score of
Florida 31, Alabama 25.
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Spurrier Beaten Twice
Writer's Note: I would've included the 1993, 1994 and 1996 SEC Championship Games, but it seems that YouTube Florida fans post more victories over Florida State in the 1990s than anything else, and that was a great rivalry back then. Wish the Seminoles could bring it back.
1999 SEC Championship Game: Alabama 34, Florida 7. Alabama claimed its first SEC title since 1992 and defeated the favored Florida Gators for the second time that year, beating them earlier in the Swamp.
Obviously, the signature play of this game was Freddie Milons run at about 0:58 in which he lined up at QB in the shotgun. It was the play that gave Alabama the confidence to win this game. That, and they were playing against The Bachelor Jesse Palmer.
Will Alabama have such a play on Saturday? Or will they ride Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram like Shaun Alexander?
Hey, anybody who beat Steve Spurrier twice in one year is okay by me.
Alabama went on to lose the Orange Bowl to Michigan 35-34 in OT on a missed extra point. And Florida went to lose the Citrus Bowl (Capital One) to Michigan State and Plaxico Burress. Better times for Plaxico indeed.
By the way, Bobby Williams was the interim head coach of that Michigan State team as Nick Saban had already accepted the head coaching position at LSU for the 2000 season.
Looks like it all connects...
1999 SEC Championship Game: Alabama 34, Florida 7. Alabama claimed its first SEC title since 1992 and defeated the favored Florida Gators for the second time that year, beating them earlier in the Swamp.
Obviously, the signature play of this game was Freddie Milons run at about 0:58 in which he lined up at QB in the shotgun. It was the play that gave Alabama the confidence to win this game. That, and they were playing against The Bachelor Jesse Palmer.
Will Alabama have such a play on Saturday? Or will they ride Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram like Shaun Alexander?
Hey, anybody who beat Steve Spurrier twice in one year is okay by me.
Alabama went on to lose the Orange Bowl to Michigan 35-34 in OT on a missed extra point. And Florida went to lose the Citrus Bowl (Capital One) to Michigan State and Plaxico Burress. Better times for Plaxico indeed.
By the way, Bobby Williams was the interim head coach of that Michigan State team as Nick Saban had already accepted the head coaching position at LSU for the 2000 season.
Looks like it all connects...
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