Next Meal: Southern Mississippi Eagles

August 30, 1997 6:00 PM SWAMP TIME

Previous Weeks

TV Information:

My Prediction: UF 41 SM 17

Vegas Odds: Gators favorite by 30

Coaching Information

Head Coach: Jeff Bower

Career Record at Present Institution: 34-32-1 (6 years)

Overall Coaching Record: 34-32-1 (6 years)

 

Team Information

Basic Offense Multiple

Basic Defense Multiple

Letter winners Returning 40 (20 Offense, 18 Defense, 2 Specialists)

Letter winners Lost 22 (10 Offense, 10 Defense, 2 Specialists)

Starters Returning 16 (8 Offense, 7 Defense, 1 Specialist)

Starters Lost 8 (3 Offense, 4 Defense, 1 Specialist)

Final 1996 Team Record: 8-3

Final 1996 Conference Record & Finish 4-1 (tied for 1st)

Final 1996 National Ranking N/A

1996 Bowl Appearance: N/A

Series Games and Notes

The 1997 season opener marks the fourth meeting between Florida and Southern Mississippi as UF opens its 91st season of play as National Campions.

The Gators hold a 3-0 series edge, including a 2-0 mark in the Steve Spurrier era. Four or less points have decided two of the three contests. UF downed the Golden Eagles 55-17 in 1994 in its Homecoming Game, as well as 24-20 in a 1992 meeting m Gainesville. The two schools first met in 1973, with the Gators claiming a 14-13 victory in Tampa.

Florida is 66-24 in its previous 90 season openers, including a 48-6 mark in the 54 season openers that have been held in Gainesville. The Gators are 25-1 in their last 26 season openers in Gainesville, a span that dates back to the 1949 season. UF has posted a 30-0 mark in season openers when it scores 28 or more points.

Under Spurrier, Florida is a perfect 7-0 in season openers and has outscored its opponents by a combined score of 358-116 in those seven games (51.1-16.6 for an average margin of victory of 34.5 points).

A little unknown fact is SM beat (big upset) fsu back in the late 80's when Brett Favre (Green Bay Packers QB and NFL MVP 1996) was the Eagles Quarterback.

 

Previous Games Results

Last Updated November 19, 2006