• Recruiting talent from the most talent rich state - Florida
• Bragging rights in the state
• National Championship implication - the winner plays for the NC every year (Florida might even have a shot with a little luck this year.... naaahh maybe a miracle)
• Bowden vs. Spurrier trash talking
• The players have played since grade school with or against each other
• Last game of the season with Poll positions at risk

In 1958, Florida won 21-7 and they have met every year since then with the Gators leading the series 25-14-2 including last years' destruction of Bowden's boys 52-20 in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. In fact, twice these two teams have played and had a rematch just weeks later in the Sugar Bowl (1994/L and 1996/W and NC). Since 1979, this has always been the last regular season game of the season.

Prior to the last three years, in which it has 2-2-1, this series has been characterized by streaks for either school. The most recent streak was an ugly 6 out of 7 from 1987 through 1993 by fsu. Also, Florida and fsu are the only two schools in the country to rank in the Top 10 in the last six seasons. fsu is the only school in which Coach Spurrier has a losing record at 3-5-1, and I am sure he expects to even the count a little this year.

For some interesting UF-fsu facts.... check out my weekly factoid section.

Now on to this little matter to be settled on Saturday.....The Gators do not have the benefit of the Fun "N" Gun and with 7 years of SEC supremacy killing just about every team out there we have gained a few enemies that do not wish Spurrier and the Gators well. Everyone wants doom and gloom in Gainesville. Well, I have a feeling that people are going to realize on Saturday how much better Coach Spurrier is when compared to Bobby and the CRIMINOLES.

The Gator defense will keep it tight harassing Busboy much like they did D. Craig of Auburn. With a bounce here and some luck there (remember we are in The Swamp), the Gators will prevail in a close one 23-20. Here are my keys to this tight victory:

1. Running Game. The Gators must establish the run early and with authority. Taylor and Carrol with McCaslin in between. I expect Taylor to have a BIG day and run for 120 yards.
2. Hold fsu to <50 yards rushing. Travis Minor is a freshman and he is no Warrick Dunn. However, no big plays and containment by the Gators will help keep Busboy throwing the ball. With Weary and the excellent Gator secondary Warrick and Co. does not have a chance.
3. Toughest team fsu has faced. With the patsy filled ACC schedule, fsu will face its toughest competitor of the season. Even a struggling UF team is better than any of those ACC teams (Maryland, Wake Forest Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia, NC State and yes "mighty" UNC). fsu is in for a big surprise when they face the Gators and their defense. The statistics prove the ACC is weak when compared to the mighty SEC and this will have value to the Gators.
4. NO-AH and NO-DOUG. Coach Spurrier needs to quit playing quarterback roulette and stay with his horse for the entire game (unless of course its a blowout in our favor). The fsu defense is vulnerable by the short passes as proven by Clemson and NC State. Spurrier needs to stay calm and pass the high percentage passes (kinda like a 49er style offense). This will help Brindise avoid the mistakes.
5. Line of Scrimmage. If the O-line gives Noah time....he will not make the mistake. However, if they start batting him around like they did to Danny in the past, then we are in for a long winter and I do not look forward to playing in the toilet bowl somewhere.
6. Spurrier Magic. We have not seen much of Spurrier's gadget plays and other wrenches this year. I expect to see some trickery and Spurrier "pizzazz" throughout the game.
7. Pressure to win. fsu has all the pressure to win. If they loose to the "lowly" Gay-tors (as they like to call us), they will be stuck in the toilet bowl and no Orange Bowl. They are going to hear how much better they are and how bad the Gators are this year all week. Nonsense!! Florida will be ready and able to kick fsu's ass!!

Game Break Down

This will be, as usual, a tightly contested battle. Many fsu fans think this will be a blowout. Well, like Lee Corso would see: "no so fast my friend". fsu is in for a rude awakening. UF is by far the best defense in the SEC and with some help we can beat an overrated fsu team. Furthermore, UTn has a better shot at Nebraska, not fsu.

I hope Tennessee does not make it and would rather see UGA in there because they beat us, but if the Gators loose to fsu this week (gulp!!), I will wish them well in the NC game against Nebraska and hope they keep the title in Florida.

This is not going to happen. Florida will win. They will win because they will be better prepared and they will play in The Swamp. There is nothing I would like more than to spoil the fantasy fsu fans have these days. They are #1 because they play patsies all year. Lets bring them noles a dose of reality.

Finally, I would like to thank all those fsu fans for sending me love letters all year. I hope you have enjoyed my web site. Just please, when you post stuff in my guestbook, have the balls to type in your real email address so I have a chance to thank you for the kind words. Also, get ready to eat some crow.

Got something to say or an opinion to contribute.... sign the guestbook, but leave a trail on who you are (email) so I can thank you (hey SEMENHOLE that would be you!!)

GO GATORS... BEAT THE NOLES