a look @ SEC football

Saying bye bye to SEC football

2005-12-02T06:27:00.000-08:00

I sit before my computer on this Friday morning at 9:14 a.m. and prepare this last blog post which, I really should have done last night but it somehow slipped my mind amidst the massive amount of work I have, I can’t help but look at this moment as bittersweet.

Sure, writing these posts twice a week by 10 a.m. has been tedious at times and sometimes much like it did last night it just slipped my mind. At the same point, I have enjoyed writing these entries. If anything it made me keep up on what was going on in SEC sport, something that really does interest me.

I want to say one of my favorites was this past Tuesday’s post about the FSU-UF game. It was just so refreshing to see the Gators kicking butt, the way Gator Nation wanted them to all season.

Football will end soon and then the focus shifts to basketball, I could continue this blog, but truthfully I just don’t think I have time. So for all you loyal “A look @ SEC football” readers (if there are any) who will miss my posts, may I suggest sportsblog.org, it has great coverage of many sports, and I enjoy reading it myself.

Well it has been a pleasure and Go Gators.

Gators earn bragging rights over Seminoles

2005-11-28T21:13:00.000-08:00

I can bet that not even the biggest Gator fan could have envisioned the outcome of Saturday’s Florida- Florida State match up. Sure you might of thought the Gators were going to win, but a 34-7 win, that’s just crazy.

The entire town was hyped for a game that promised to be thrilling, and Gator Nation was ready to cheer each time UF scored. The chants from excited fans echoed well past Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

Personally, I would have likeed a closer game. It was nice to see the Gators crushing the Seminoles but towards the end, I couldn’t help but feel bad for all those garnet and gold clad fans who had taken the seven-hour trek, just to be embarrassed.

I take that back, it was fantastic. The Gators got to end their regular season on a high note, and despite a few disappointing losses UF is undefeated in the Swamp. This is the fourth time ever that the Gators beat all of its biggest rivals, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State, in same season.

This was just the type of redemption Urban Meyer was looking for.

“I think it was our biggest win,” Meyer told Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun. “It was a great win, a great night. Especially for the seniors. Man, did they go.”

The win over Florida State means the Gators still have the possibility of going to the Outback, Peach or Independence Bowl.

Records won't matter in UF- Florida State game

2005-11-22T05:56:00.000-08:00

I can’t believe it was a year ago that University Avenue filled with screaming fans going absolutely crazy in celebration of the Gators beating the Seminoles. It had been an extremely disappointing season and in the final game, the Gators were glad they had the opportunity to cheer.

Fast forward a year and the situation entering the Florida- Florida State game is similar. Sure the Gators record is better than it was last year but this season was not what everyone expected, one again Gator Nation is looking for a reason to get excited.

The Florida- State game is the perfect occasion. In a rivalry as deep-rooted as this one records don’t matter, the rest of the season doesn’t matter. It is like the boys get on the field and it’s a completely different game.

This is about pride, about remaining undefeated in the Swamp and the seniors’ last chance to prove themselves in the Swamp.
"This is it - it's our last time in the Swamp," senior linebacker Todd McCullough told the Alligator in Monday’s edition. "We haven't set out what we wanted to do this year, obviously, but we're undefeated in the Swamp right now and we want to leave that for these younger guys to carry on for the future and get back that home-field advantage we have."

Win or lose this game there will be no SEC championship for the Gators, but this Saturday that won’t even matter. I just hope once again the streets are filled with screaming fans covered in orange and blue, Gator Nation could use some cheering up.

Meyer receives unfair criticism

2005-11-18T06:30:00.000-08:00

With the Gators taking a week-off and no hopes of a real post season I would like to take a moment and reflect on the football season that never was.

When Ron Zook was fired last year it gave Gator Nation the false hope that the new coach would immediately turn the team into a National Championship contender.

Then came along Urban Meyer, when he got to town the buzz around him was ridiculous. Yes, he did do amazing things at Utah, but that’s a totally different conference with a different style of play. Now, that the season has not turned out exactly the way fans wanted, a ton of criticism surrounds Meyer.

Is he at fault? Perhaps, but at the same point it is unfair to blame Meyer completely. The season has not been horrible and everyone needs to remember he hasn’t even been in Gainesville a full year. Everyone just expected way too much, way too soon.

Meyer is not a horrible coach. He had to deal with injuries and a number of other set-backs he was just not ready for. Even the person who bought the site fireurbbanmeyer.com agrees. The Web site is more of tribute to him. I say give Meyer a few years. Let him adjust to SEC football do some recruiting of his own and then he will probably be the coach everyone hoped he’d be right away. As the cliché goes Rome was not built in a day and either are great football teams.

Gator hoping for an Auburn win

2005-11-11T05:49:00.000-08:00

This Saturday many Gators will trade in their traditional orange and blue for more of a navy and burnt orange.

For an evening, Gator Nation will become a Tiger Nation of sorts as Auburn faces Georgia on the road. If Auburn is able to win, the Gators will still have a chance for the SEC championship.

Beating the Dawgs won’t be that simple though. After a week-off Georgia will return to the field with starting quarterback, DJ Shockley, back in place. Shockley sat out the last two games because of a knee injury.

Either way Auburn is confident that they are ready for the challenge. Defensive end Stanley McClover told the Auburn Plainsman that “Every team comes to play when you are on the road. We just got to go in there with are minds set that we’re going to take care of business.”

For the Gators' sake hopefully this is true. Meanwhile the Gators will be facing their own challenges in South Carolina. If the Gators and Auburn can pull off wins, Florida will be one step closer to a chance at the SEC title.

Gators remain in championship race after OT scare

2005-11-07T11:31:00.000-08:00

As I sat on the edge of a barstool at a Wing House in Orlando with my eyes glued to the big screen I could not believe what I was watching.

With only seconds left on the clock Florida was tied with Vanderbilt 35-35. The Gators were going into overtime against an unranked SEC team, and I was scared the outcome was not going to be good.

I was wrong. The Gators were able to pull out a win during the second overtime, when reserve cornerback Reggie Lewis intercepted a pass from Vanderbilt quarterback, Jay Cutler. The play, which was reviewed by refs because Lewis was inches from going out of bounds, caused an explosion of cheers from the crowd and an ‘I told you so,’ from Urban Meyer.

“I called the defense over before overtime and said someone is going to find a way to make a play to win the game,” Meyer told The Gainesville Sun after the game. “In big-time games, that’s how it happens.”

I’m glad Meyer was confident that his team would pull of the win, I definitely was questioning their ability. Either was it was an exciting win and it means the Gators still have a chance to go to the SEC championship.

I take that back, it gives the Gators an other week to stay alive. Florida heads to South Carolina this Saturday in a game that might be harder to win than you would think. The Gamecocks are currently on a 4-game winning streak. In addition Auburn needs to upset Georgia in order to keep Florida’s championship dreams a reality.

It’s an important week for the Gators who will face multiple factors that will determine their SEC championship fate.

Another week, another disappointment for the Vols

2005-11-03T21:09:00.000-08:00

October was not a good month for Tennessee. The Vols, 3-4, have not has a losing record since 1988 and with Saturday’s game against No. 8 Norte Dame, it doesn’t look like their record will be improving any time soon.

After a surprising loss to South Carolina, Tennessee heads to Indiana with something to prove, and yet I don’t think they will be able to do it. The Fighting Irish are just too good. It is not that the Vols lack talent but somewhere along the line the team that entered the season ranked third has lost their spark.

In an interview with the Daily Beacon, University of Tennesse’s student newspaper, even the coaches sounded weary of the talent they will face this weekend.

“They’ve got two 6-5 receivers, so they’re a very talented football team, and they’ve done a great job with their offense thus far this year,” Defensive coordinator John Chavis said. “ If you didn’t have to play them, they’d be kind of fun to watch on film.”

Chavis is probably right the game should be an exciting one, but I’m glad I’m not a die- hard Vols’ fan, because this weekend is most likely going to add to the disappointment of the season.

Gators stay alive in the SEC

2005-10-31T12:12:00.000-08:00

As if Gator fans needed an other reason to throw one back in Jacksonville, they certainly got it after Florida beat Georgia 14-10, ending the Bulldogs’ perfect season.

A week off and a change in the playbook was just what the Gators needed to win. Coach Urban Meyer shed his Spread and Shred offensive for more traditional SEC plays, which proved to be an excellent idea.

"Scoring two or three touchdowns a game, I'm not comfortable with that," Meyer told the Alligator. “But I am comfortable with winning and if that means being more conservative [than that's what we'll do].”

It is nice to see that Meyer was willing to drop his ego and change his style of play to make it more SEC-friendly.

If the Gators can win the next two SEC games against Vanderbilt and South Carolina, and Georgia looses to Auburn in two weeks, Florida will have a spot at the SEC championships in Atlanta.

Some are skeptics claiming the only reason Florida won is because Georgia’s starting quarterback was unable to play and a trip to the championship is still unrealistic.

I disagree and so does Gainesville Sun writer Pat Dooley. He claims that no matter the circumstances the Gators won and that is all that matters.

The next few weeks are going to be important but I have a feeling Dooley is on the right page. With a change in style and a rekindling of spirit the Gators just might make their way to Atlanta.

No touchdowns still equals win for Alabama

2005-10-24T12:31:00.000-07:00

In a game that was predicted to be close, rivals Alabama and Tennessee battled on the field for a win that would be determined without any touchdowns.

The No. 5 Crimson Tide continued in its undefeated season when it beat the No. 17 Vols 6-3 Saturday, in one of the most physical games of the season.

“That was the toughest defense we've faced and the toughest one we're gonna face all season,” Alabama quarterback Brodie Croyle told The Crimson White. “ If there's any worse out there I probably don't want to play them.”

Alabama and Georgia are the only SEC teams with 7-0 records as college football enters its ninth week of play.

The Crimson Tide is expected to roll over non-conference opponent Utah State, currently 2-4, this Saturday.

If the season keeps going this way for Alabama they can definitely expect a spot at the SEC championship in Atlanta.

Six SEC teams doing well in the BCS

2005-10-17T23:05:00.000-07:00

If you’re strictly a Gator fan, you were probably disappointed by Saturday’s loss to Louisiana State.

But if you’re a SEC football fan overall the BCS ranking released on Monday most likely put a smile on your face.

Six SEC teams were ranked in the top-20 according to the BCS, which determines standings for bowl games.

Georgia topped the list of SEC teams at No. 4 with Alabama and LSU following closely at No. 5 and 6 respectively.

Auburn, Tennessee and Florida rounded out the top-20 in the BCS poll taking the final three spots.

It might not be time for bowl games just yet, but you can definitely expect some SEC teams in the best bowl games of the season.

UF will come up short on the road

2005-10-14T07:15:00.000-07:00

Long before the Gators played their first game of the season there were talks that the revamped Florida team would finish the regular season win only two losses, one to Tennessee State and one to Louisiana State.

The game against the Vols came and went, with a Gator win.

Now it’s time for the Tigers.

Unfortunately, the Gators aren’t exactly the team they were when they beat Tennessee. Florida had an unexpected loss to Alabama and, they now head to Louisiana with injuries plaguing the offensive, including quarterback Chris Leak.

So the question is can this injury ridden Florida team beat the Tigers on the road?

I don’t think so and my friends at the Alligator agree.

While the Gators have the talent and ability to beat the Tigers, under the current circumstances, I just don’t think it is going to happen.

Unless, Urban Meyer has worked miracles in the last week, the Gators will return to Gainesville with their second loss on the road.

Injuries, lack of depth could mean trouble for UF

2005-10-10T15:42:00.000-07:00

Urban Meyer was supposed to be the savior. He came to Gainesville to make the lackluster Gators shine.

For a while this was true. He did take a team that looked sloppy on the field and make them appear polished. Meyer also brought back the spirit of Gator football to a town that had forgotten what it felt like to be proud of its team.

Now there is a bigger problem though and Meyer can offer no solace. Players are getting injured and the team lacks depth.

The Gators might have beat Mississippi State 35-9, but the boys didn’t not look good. Chris Leak’s throwing was less than impressive.

After the win, Meyer revealed that Leak was nursing a shoulder injury and had not practiced all week.

I have to say I feel bad for Leak and hope he heals quickly, but if not the Gators are going to be facing some tough times. Especially since others are also dealing with injuries and most of the games in the coming weeks are against top-10 teams.

“We are not a great team. We just have a few players who are playing great," Meyer told the Alligator on Saturday.

Nice to see Meyer recognizes the problem, I'm just hoping he still has some tricks up his sleeve.

Bulldogs look to gnaw on Vols

2005-10-07T04:31:00.000-07:00

For those looking for the best SEC game of the week or just an all around good football game look no further than CBS Saturday afternoon, where No. 8 Tennessee will host No. 5 Georgia.

The Vols are looking to break a five- game home losing streak to top-10 opponents, and yet I don’t think the Bulldogs, currently 4-0 overall, will go down so easy.

I’m sure both teams are expecting a close game, but I think if Georgia is able to play without making any huge errors on the field, the win will go to them.

According to the Red and Black, Georgia recognizes that in order to win the game they must score in the area between the 20-yard line and the goal line.
“I think it may determine the outcome of this game, whether we can score points in the red zone or whether they stop us,” Georgia sophomore Thomas Brown said.

The Vols might be one of the best teams at stopping opponents from scoring in this zone, but my guess still is that the Bulldogs will head home Saturday night 5-0.

A 'Bama blowout

2005-10-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

It was just going way to well. The Gators were winning games and the first string was playing with confidence. Just as Gator Nation was getting comfortable with the thought that Urban Meyer and his Spread ‘n’ Shred was UF’s saving grace, the Crimson Tide rolled over the Gators.

In a surprising and embarrassing loss, No. 4 UF fell to No. 13 Alabama 31-3.

It was as if the Gators had forgotten how to play football. Chris Leak completed only one pass during the first quarter and it only got worse from there, no one could get it together.

I wish I could say I am totally shocked but unfortunately this is an all too familiar feeling, lots of hype around the Gators but an inability to back it up.

Sure Meyer is a much better coach than Ron Zook and this one loss is hardly means the season is over, but it does show everyone that these boys still need a lot of work. One of UF’s own said it best in Monday’s edition of the Alligator.

“It’s embarrassing, linebacker Brandon Siler said, disappointing…It lets you know that you’re not invincible.”

LSU won't disappoint this week

2005-09-29T14:41:00.000-07:00

Monday night was a disappointing one for LSU which now stands at 0-1 in the SEC. This Saturday the Tigers head to Starkville, Miss. for a chance to begin the healing of their bruised egos.

LSU will face Mississippi State at 1:30 p.m. for what should be an easy win for the Tigers. Even though based on SEC standings the Bulldogs who are 0-2 are not that far behind the Tigers they are clearly a weaker team.

While Mississippi might have a few strong players the team as a whole is no match- up for LSU. This game should be a blow out and for all you Tigers fans, and no need to worry I can pretty much guarantee there will be no surprise ending to this game like there was in the Tennessee match-up.

The stats speak for themselves. Feel free to check a variety of newspapers and Web sites I don’t think anybody including the biggest Mississippi fan would pick the Bulldogs to win. Without a doubt LSU has this game.

Vols steal win from Tigers

2005-09-26T23:28:00.000-07:00

Halfway through the second quarter I was ready to turn off a game I had waited all weekend to watch. With No. 4 LSU leading No. 10 Tennessee 21-0 it was obvious the game was going to be nothing-short of a blowout.

Boy was I wrong.

The very same game that started with LSU on fire, extinguished in overtime 30-27 Tennessee. The look of shock from the Tigers' fans was no surprise, it was definitely a crazy game.

“You get up 21 points on a football team like Tennessee, you have to put them away. We didn’t do that at all,” UT defensive tackle Kyle Williams said. “I think we got complacent when we came out of halftime, and thought maybe they would lay down. They’re not going to lay down, they’re a great football team. They’re a Top-10 team year-in and year-out. They’re not going to lay down.” From the "Daily Reveille’s" story Monday Night Meltdown.

The Tigers and the Vols are now each 1-1 in the SEC, which puts the Gators ahead of both. All three teams will face SEC opponents this Saturday.

Gators defeat the Vols, but still need improvement

2005-09-19T21:00:00.000-07:00

The Gators might have won Saturday night but a sloppy offense shows how much improvement UF still needs to make in order to be a force in the SEC as the weeks progress.

The Gators 16-7 win over Tennessee might have improved them to No. 5 overall but the offense has a lot of work to do. A strong defense and special teams is what won the game and Gator Nation needs to realize that.

Don't get me wrong my voice is still recovering from Saturday night's game, I was one of the over 90,000 people who enjoyed watching the Gators beat the Vols and improve their opening record to 3-0 for the first time since 2000, but I know this one win does not mean much.

I just want to point out that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done if the Gators want to keep their winning record. The game was error filled and the offense had an overall lackluster performance.

Ivan Maisel from ESPN.com sees it that way too and I'm glad. After the game I heard a little too much praise for the Boys of Ole' Florida and I just don't think it is right. Tennessee was a big win, but before Gator Nation gets too excited let’s see what the offense brings to the field in the coming weeks.

Victory belongs to the Gators Saturday night

2005-09-16T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Texas Christian vs. Utah game Thursday night was definitely the highlight of my evening at work. Even more exciting than the game that found itself in overtime was all the talk about the Florida Tennessee game this Saturday night.

When the No. 5 Vols visit the Swamp, home of the No. 6 Gators, not only is it the biggest SEC match up, but also a must-see for any college football fan. It is obvious UF wants to beat one of its largest rivals when they visit especially after a humiliating game last season. A game where many, myself included, felt the Gators should have pulled off a win perhaps if there was better coaching. Well, with new coach Urban Meyer the strength of leadership is no longer a problem.

Now the only question that remains is, can the Gators really beat a team they despise but is said to be more talented?

I think so. Now I’m not saying the Gators will embarrass the Vols by running up a ridiculous score, but they will win by a touchdown and get the redemption needed from last years upsetting loss.

For the most part the sports writers at the Alligator seem to agree; with only one thinking the win will go to Tennessee.

Either way I can’t wait to see the outcome. I’m just glad we didn’t have to wait until later in the season to see this match-up. I for one am counting down for the 8 p.m. kickoff.

first real post, second week of SEC football

2005-09-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday made for an exciting second week of college football especailly for the SEC. Whether you were tailgating with 50 of your closest friends or sitting on the couch alternating glances between plays and chemistry homework, a few close calls made for an interesting day of football.

Perhaps the best win of the day came to a school in the state hardest hit by hurricane Katrina. I found myself cheering for No. 3 Louisiana State in their 35-31 victory over No. 15 Arizona State. LSU fans needed a reason to smile, even if it was only for a minute and that chance came in fourth. LSU was able to take advantage of some late mistakes by the Cardinals and pull off a win.

“There are going to be breakdowns in a game and some are much more costly than others,” Arizona State coach Dirk Koetter said. “We did have two breakdowns in special teams that cost us. In those errors, it was just a case where a blocker got beat by a rusher.” (excerpt from www.lsureveille.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2005/09/12/432511d9a05d3).

This weeks promises to be just as thrilling with perhaps the biggest SEC game happening at Ben Hill Griffin when the Gators host the Vols, stayed tuned for a prediction...