A Bright and Shiny Day in the Sunny South

The morning after the 41-14 Gator feed, I offer the following thoughts:

  • Someone has already manned up and starting eating his crow. I think there are a few others who need to step up to the plate. Herbie? Lee?
  • Did you see all those offensive formations that Florida flashed last night? I’m pretty sure that if you slow down the game film, you’ll see that the Gators snuck in the waterboy, a cheerleader and even the university president on a few of those plays.
  • Is it worth pointing out that the the listless and lowly Shula-laden Tide were leading the Gators in the 4th quarter in Gainesville? You betcha it is, because it just highlights the fact that Florida struggled to win against several SEC teams (and lost to Auburn) and demonstrates once again the strength of the SEC from top to bottom.
  • Speaking of which, I can think of three SEC teams in addition to Florida that would have likely “belonged” on the field with Ohio State last night. Anybody want to name them?
  • With all due respect to the BSU Broncos, you couldn’t have hung with Florida last night. But I do agree with you that we need a playoff system so that there are no loose ends at the end of the season.
  • Florida now becomes the first Division 1 program to simultaneously hold both the basketball and football titles. Baseball anyone?
  • Much has been made over Nick Saban’s exit from the NFL to Alabama and the assertion that college coaches can’t cut it in the pro game. Yet one pro team has already gone to the college well, and it looks like another one is poised to do the same.

It’s a bright and shiny day in the sunny south!

15 Comments

  1. Donna

    I have never enjoyed a Florida victory more. They were quite impressive!!

  2. GREG

    Who does Ohio State think they are? Notre Dame? I thought OSU was supposed to have a great defense? Did they even have a defense? I actually thought Ohio State would probably win. Perhaps there’s something to that SEC strength after all. I didn’t even watch the 2nd half. I almost stopped after the 1st qtr, because it was over then.

    Personally, I’d like to see Florida and LSU play again. They may be the two best teams in the country, at least as of late. USC may be right there with them (I still don’t know how they let UCLA beat them.)

    So, any chance Florida will win the Frozen Four, too??

  3. GREG

    by the way, how is it that the polls ranked OSU #2 ahead of LSU (and even USC, considering how they both played Michigan)? I would’ve thought after that beating, LSU and USC might jump them. I guess they both had 2 losses, but I think that one last night should count as 2 as well. 🙂

  4. kenny simpson

    Beautiful. Nice for the SEC, but great for the Gators. Loved when the commentators were asking why OSU looked so bad and one said “Florida has made alot of offenses look bad”.

  5. Jeff Slater

    Quite a surprise last night. It certainly hurt OSU when Ginn got hurt, but even with him, they would have lost. Tressel always seems prepared for the competition, but not last night. They looked lost

    But remember, the Big 10 went 2-1 against the SEC in Bowl Games this year (although the one loss was a big one!).

    I’m stuck in the middle on the Big 10 vs. SEC. I’m a Michigan fan and an Alabama fan.

  6. JRB

    Jeff Slater –

    There was no surprise last night for those of us in Dixie. It’s hard to play the disrespect card in the best (damn) football conference in the land, but we don’t take kindly to the Big ##’s getting uppity. Also, I think it’s impossible to be an Alabama fan and a Michigan fan; that’s like being a border state. No one respects a border state.

    Mike –

    Who else would have “belonged” in OSU’s class last night? Auburn. LSU and Tennessee. Vanderbilt.

    Go ‘Dores.

  7. Mike the Eyeguy

    What a lively bunch!

    Donna–we pulled off an acrobatic feat of flexibility (pulling for the Gators) didn’t we?

    Greg–I give the Gators their due in football and basketball, but their hockey team would never make it past the fine UA-Huntsville Charger squad much less the Frozen Four.

    As for the Buckeye’s final #2 ranking, clearly the voters didn’t want to pile on.

    Kenny–there were a lot of pregnant pauses and stuttering on the part of commentators last night. And a conspicuous lack of mention of the obvious hold from behind on TOSU’s kickoff return.

    Jeff–First your Tigers, now this–sorry. Well, no, not really. Despite your dalliance with Michigan, you’re welcome back to the sunny south anytime.

    JRB–As you would say, “High Cotton.” You sound a little tipsy, though.

  8. JRB

    Drunk on Mint Juleps!

    Southern Miss gave another Ohio team what for in the mighty GMAC this week, too. My wife is a Southern grad, so I’m feeling awfully good about the South’s domination of the Rust Belt this week.

    Go Eagles.

  9. Mike the Eyeguy

    “Go Eagles.”

    Now I know you’re drunk! 🙂

  10. Jeff Slater

    Well JRB, you are wrong. I am living proof that one can follow both The Tide and The Wolverines. I follow Bama because of my Dad (he was born and raised there), and I follow Meechigan because that’s where I was born and raised.

    Whenever they play (which does happen from time to time), I usually go with Bama out of respect for my Dad.

    I just love college football. The only teams I really root against are Tennessee and Notre Dame. And if they play each other, I root for Notre Dame.

  11. Mike the Eyeguy

    Jeff, you’ve got to cut JRB some slack. He always talks trash when he’s drunk on Mint Juleps.

    Your Crimson bloodline will protect you from total corruption.

  12. JRB

    Jeff S., I may be wrong. I can have a bit of sympathy being a former Alabama fan, now a Vanderbilt/Tennessee fan with great affection for Mississippi State. My psychosis at least is grounded in some territorial and cultural integrity. Yours is not.

    Here’s more on my illness:

    http://paxfellaship.blogspot.com/2006/10/damascus-road.html

  13. Donna

    Ah Jeff Slater we ARE kindred Spirits……Bama first….Tennessee and Notre Dame LAST!!!!! Perfect!!

  14. DAVID u

    Mike, the SEC rules……..and the media just can’t stomach the thought of such. Watch what happens with the pre-season polls next year. It’s amazing…….the bias is very tangible.

    I think if Ohio State, USC or Michigan has played in the SEC they each would have had at LEAST 2 losses at best. End of story.

    Alabama is coming back to it’s rightfull place…..just wait and see.

    ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

    DU

  15. Mike the Eyeguy

    Well said, DU.

    Especially that part about ROLL TIDE ROLL!!!!

Comments are closed.