Next Meal: University of Alabama-Birmingham
August 31 , 2002 6:00PM Swamp Time TV: PPV
Official University of Florida Game Preview
My Prediction: UF 48 UAB 7
Coaching Information
Head Coach: Watson Brown
Career Record at Present Institution: 37-40 (7 years)
Game Notes
The Ron Zook era begins as Florida opens the 2002 season ranked inside the Top 10 in the polls for the 12th straight season. With 3 Top 5 teams on the horizon, I like our chances. Given that we play Miami at home and we know how to beat the Vols on the road, this season could be magical.
The game will be the season opener for the Gators and UAB Blazers. Florida is coming off a 10-2 season in 2001, which concluded with a 56-23 victory over Maryland in the Orange Bowl and a No. 3 ranking in both the AP and the coaches polls. However, it also meant the painful departure of the OLD BALL COACH.
UAB is led by eighth-year head coach Watson Brown, who is also the school’s interim Athletic Director. In 2001, UAB finished with a 6-5 overall record and a 5-2 Conference USA mark for a three-way tie for second in the league standings. Florida looks for its 13th consecutive season and home-opening victory. Florida has won an SEC-best 12 straight season opening games. In Ron Zook’s first game at the helm of the program, the Gators will look to improve on the program’s record of 14-5 in contests that mark the debut of new head coaches.
Overall Brown is 1-1 against Florida as a head coach, also falling to Florida, 34-11, in Gainesville in 1989. UAB offensive coordinator Pat Sullivan had great success against Florida while quarterbacking Auburn from 1969-71, as the 1971 Heisman Trophy winner was 3-0 against the Gators during his Tiger career, winning by a combined score of 141-33.
Look for the Gators to score 5-7 TDs, some trick plays and for the WR crew to show that they are ready to step in for the guys that left to the NFL. Also, Ernest Graham will run for 100+ yards.
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