September 07, 2002 5:00 PM SWAMP TIME
TV Information: CBS
My Prediction: UF 23 UM 17
Vegas Odds: Gators favorite by 2
Official Florida Gatorzone Preview
Game Notes
The top-ranked scUM bags take the longest current winning streak in college football, 23 games, to "The Swamp" to play sixth-ranked Florida in the biggest game of the college football season to date. While the rivalry does not mean much to the "new Spurrier" Gators, to us old timers, the Canes represent one step to the "Florida Cup". Miami is led by Larry Coker. A mild-mannered, soft-spoken coach popular in South Florida. Florida brings a 7-3 record vs. Top five rated teams playing in the swamp.
Throw in the obvious national title implications and this game has plenty of sex appeal, even before the CBS television cameras arrive and put reporter Jill Arrington on the sidelines.
The key is going to be that Miami secondary. Miami features a very inexperienced crew which is going up against a prolific Florida passing game that features the tandem of quarterback Rex Grossman and receiver Taylor Jacobs. Jacobs had 246 receiving yards last week, breaking the school single-season record set by Carlos Alvarez in 1969. Miami has a potent passing game of its own led by Ken Dorsey, who joins Grossman as early candidates for the Heisman Trophy. The Hurricanes are 9-1 against ranked opponents with Dorsey as the starter.
Miami goes into this game having lost 12 starters from the Championship squad of last year. Miami has won its first 13 games under Coker and has yet to lose since a 34-29 setback to Washington on September 9, 2000.
The all-time series is tied, 25-25.
The Hurricanes have won the last three meetings, including a 37-20 victory in the Sugar Bowl two seasons ago in which Dorsey threw three touchdown passes. I went to that game and I believe Spurrier got out-coached in this game. Brock Berlin will be on the opposing sidelines having transferred to the Canes last year. I wonder if he will be providing inside info...
Look for the Gators to go up on the Canes early, but some mistakes will cost the Gators the lead. I look for the home crowd to make like miserable for the Canes and spark the Gators to come from behind scoring on the final drive of the game. Gators win 23-17.
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