Next Meal: fsu CRIMINOLES

November 18 - 8PM Swamp Time

Previous Weeks

TV Information:

My Prediction: UF 31 fsu 27

Coaching Information

Head Coach: Bobby Bowden

Career Record at Present Institution: 241-54-4 (25 years)

Overall Coaching Record: 314-66-4 (35 years)

Team Information

Basic Offense: Pro Style

Basic Defense: 4-3 Multiple

Final 1999 Team Record: 12-0

Final 1999 Conference Record & Finish: 8-0 1st ACC (Weak Conference)

Final 1999 National Ranking: #1 National Champion

1999 Bowl Appearance: Nokia Sugar Bowl - Won vs. Va. Tech 46-29

Series Games and Notes

  This series started back in 1958 (before then fsu was an all-girl school), and now it has become College Football's most spirited and fiercest rivalry for many reasons:
  • 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.

fsu is the only team Steve Spurrier has a losing record against in a regular series with a record of 4-7-1.  We did beat this team in the 1996 Sugar Bowl to win the National Championship.

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 with a new-look Fun "N" Gun and with the SEC East title 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 old-man Weinke. With a bounce here and some luck there (remember we are in that shit hole up in Tally), the Gators will prevail in a close one 31-27. Here are my keys to this tight victory:

  1. Running Game. The Gators must establish the run early and with authority. Our tandem of Gillespie and Graham must get 100+ yards.
  2. Hold fsu to <50 yards rushing. No big plays and containment by the Gators will help keep Weinke throwing the ball. With our excellent Gator secondary Weinke 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" Clemson). 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. Start Jesse Palmer and let his Senior experience control this game.  Let him know from early this week that "he da man".
  5. Line of Scrimmage. If the O-line gives Jesse time....he will not make the mistake. However, if they start batting him around like they have done 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

  fsu UF Comment
Rushing Offense +   Travis Minor must be contained
Rushing Defense +    
Passing Offense   ++ Jesse Palmer will rise to this occasion
Passing Defense   + Lito Sheppard and Todd Johnson will neutralize the fsu receivers
Overall Offense ++   fsu has a definite advantage in overall
Overall Defense +   fsu with a slight edge
Punting     Pretty even in this category
Punt Returns   + Lito, Lito, Lito
Field Goal Unit   ++ Need I say "Wide Right"
Coaching   +++ Got to go with my man Steve Spurrier
Home Field +++   It sucks to play in Tally.
Intangibles   ++ fsu plays in a weak conference and has heard all week that they will beat us. Yeah right. UF will prevail.
Total Score   ++++ Florida 31

fsWHO? 27

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 Offense in the SEC and with some help we can beat an overrated fsu team.

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 guest book, 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

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Last Updated November 19, 2006