Next Meal:
Marshall Thundering Herd
September 1, 2000 7:15 PM SWAMP TIME TV: ESPN2
My Prediction: UF 31 Marshall 7
Vegas Odds: Gators favorite by 20
Coaching Information
Head Coach: Bob Pruett
Career Record at Present Institution: 58-9 (5 years)
Team Information
Basic Offense: Multiple One back
Basic Defense: 4-4
Final 2000 Team Record: 8-5
Final 2000 Conference Record & Finish: 6-3 (1st Mid-American)
Final 2000 National Ranking: N/A
2000 Bowl Appearance: Motor City vs. Cincinnati W25-14
Game Notes
Florida starts the season ranked #1 in major polls. While this is fun, the only way is down, which is not so fun. One loss and we are done (well, maybe not...remember 1996?). Naming Rex Grossman the starter late this week, the Gators enter 2001 favorite to go the the Rose Bowl and with a good chance to win it all. Marshall will be without 12 football players due to suspension. too bad!!
These two teams are meeting for the first time. This team is from West Virginia and produced Randy Moss who plays for Minnesota in the NFL. Florida has killed all opponents from the MAC, and are 70-24 in season openers winning 52-6 starting the season in The Swamp. Under Spurrier, the Gators are a perfect 11-0 in the season opener. Much of this, of course, is due to the strength of schedule in the first two games. They are also 29-1 in season openers and I expect this mark to go to 30-1. Many critics are openly calling for a better starting match-up for the Gators.
In my opinion, this is just fine. We play in the toughest league in the country and two patsies does not hurt a bit. We get to play Miami in next year. This year Marshall has done a lot of trash talking and they think they have a chance.
The coach for Marshall is the guy who Bob Stoops replaced (former defensive coordinator for the Gators) and has the most wins of active head coaches in NCAA 1A (percentage) at .866 (but most of it vs. mid-American foes). This IS the game for Marshall. This is their "super-bowl" and they will come out hard. Watch for Rex Grossman to Jabbar Gaffney big as the gators romp Marshall in the third quarter.
For the first time in a long time, the Gators will open on ESPN2. This is a rare appearance on the "deuce" with the game starting at 7:15PM Swamp Time.
| Last Updated November 19, 2006 |
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