So, I didn't see that Oklahoma loss coming - but they better be careful this weekend, or it could be 2 in a row. Kansas State has looked pretty good! I still think Oklahoma State is winning the Big 12, though. Can't say I was surprised about Wisconsin losing. After all, that was the one upset I mentioned in my last post. Houston is still undefeated and still getting no respect - but then again, the Cougars might be the only team in the BCS top 25 with an easier schedule than Wisconsin's. They're gonna need TCU to beat Boise State to even make a case for deserving a BCS bid. And even then, it would be a tough sell.
Typical Georgia fans....no description needed.
So the Gators had a week off. Hopefully they did something productive with the bye week. Our new coach will square off against his alma mater for the first time as Florida's head coach. Muschamp, don't disappoint us. Georgia has lost 18 of the last 21 meetings, just remember that. Let's make that 19 of 22, okay? Thanks.
This game is widely known as "The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." What always amazes me are the crisp lines splitting the crowd. One half - red and black. The better half - orange and blue. Now, anyone who knows me well knows I'm not a big fan of the state of Georgia in general. And so, each year during Florida-Georgia week, I repeatedly sing a catchy tune. In fact, it is currently my ringtone. Have a listen:
Versions of this song exist for South Carolina and Georgia Tech as well. No one likes Georgia. And those who do...well...they secretly like the Gators better anyway, and when given the opportunity, they'll switch over to support the Gators. Right, Will Muschamp?
Florida-Georgia 2009
The Gators MUST win this weekend. Seriously. They must. Fourth ranked opponent in a row. I know the SEC West is tough, but I'd like to keep hope that Florida can at least beat all the teams in the SEC East. And they will have a psychological advantage this week: Brantley is expected to return! Hopefully he'll give the Gators the boost they need to win this game. I'm hearing Demps is at full speed, too. Muschamp, if you want to establish hope for the program under your reign as coach, you MUST beat Tennessee, Georgia and Florida State. You took care of Tennessee on the road. Beat your alma mater in neutral territory. Worry about the Seminoles next month.
In other news, Rutgers-West Virginia is on ABC at 3:30pm (at least where I'll be watching). It's nice when Rutgers gets attention from ABC - even if the regionalization of games is very lopsided. Nova, I know you're a freshman - but no late game interceptions this week. Harrison, if Nova throws you a pass that even I would catch 99 out of 100 times, you need to catch that ball!! And Te, you're better than this. No more missed field goals that we all know you could make in your sleep. Got it??? Thanks. Talking about Rutgers has put me in the mood for a fat sandwich from the Grease Trucks.... I expect Nebraska won't let me down in its 12 noon game against the Spartans on ESPN.
My trouble this weekend? I might miss the end of the Nebraska game to catch the Florida kickoff (3:30pm on CBS!), and I can only watch Rutgers during commercials, in picture-in-picture or on split screen. Oh, the troubles of a football fan....
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (To hell with Georgia!!)
Right after Florida beat Georgia in 2009. Notice the sky is orange and blue!
This bye week couldn't come at a better time for the Gators. Nothing about this team makes sense anymore. The offense looks confused. The defense looks lazy. The coaching staff has no clue who to put in or what plays to run. It just doesn't look good. The good news is the Gators can't lose this weekend! I'll continue to support the Gators no matter what, though. "In all kinds of weather..."
I'm watching Rutgers play Louisville right now, and I really hope the Scarlet Knights can pull out a win on the road. Can Syracuse beat West Virginia to help give Rutgers a cushion? Nebraska should have no trouble with Minnesota tomorrow. LSU's suspensions could give Auburn an advantage, but I still think the winning Tigers will be from LSU. I don't see too many big upsets happening this weekend, but I think the best chance would be Michigan State shocking Wisconsin. Anyone else remember last year?
Anyway, let's talk about what Gator fans REALLY care about this weekend (other than hoping Maryland beats FSU!).
Sunday the Dolphins are hosting "Gator Day" to honor the Florida Gators 2008 National Championship football team when Miami takes on Denver. Could there be a better time for Tim Tebow to take over as the starting QB for the Broncos? Probably not.
What will Merril Hoge say after the game? Tebow has a great chance to lead the Broncos to victory, but unfortunately, they play arguably the worst team in the NFL. The Dolphins haven't won a game this season. The Broncos have only won a single game, but they almost won a second when Tebow stepped in for Orton. I am sure that Hoge will downplay whatever Tebow does simply because it will be against the Dolphins. Tebow could score 100 points by himself this game and Hoge would still say he "can't play." Hoge sound jealous to anyone else? Tebow stays out of trouble, helps people in need and works harder than anyone else, but he'll always have haters.
But Tebow - don't worry about the haters. Focus on the Gators - we'll always appreciate you.
So the Gators had another disappointing week - but come on. They've lost to the top 2 teams in the country. That's better than losing to Oklahoma, Clemson and Wake Forest. Yes, FSU, that's a shot at you. Nebraska didn't show up until the 2nd half against Ohio State. I keep hyping Martinez, and everyone says I'm out of my mind. But FINALLY. Second half against Ohio State. Martinez and Burkhead showed me what Nebraska is all about. And how about my other team in Red? Big win over Pitt! Way to go RU!!
I was not at all surprised with Arkansas's performance over Auburn. Kansas State continues to build confidence. Purdue and Minnesota continue to be awful. Against all odds, Ron Zook is undefeated. As expected, Alabama crushed Vanderbilt and Oklahoma destroyed overrated Texas. Question: Why is Texas A&M ranked? Seriously though, I know it will sound biased coming from me, but: how are losses to Oklahoma State and Arkansas better than losses to the TOP TWO teams in the country? The media bias never ceases to amaze me....
Week 7 picks:
Wisconsin will beat Indiana. Real tough schedule, Badgers. Part of me wants to see Wisconsin stay undefeated and get destroyed by an SEC team in the national championship. This is simply because my brother is a Badger, and he does not understand that the SEC is far superior to the Big Ten, and that being the "best" in the Big Ten means absolutely nothing. Can't wait for Zook to beat Ohio State. 0-3 start for the Buckeyes in conference! I really don't care who wins the Michigan-Michigan State game, but I'll pick the Spartans because there is absolutely no reason for the Wolverines to be ranked No. 11. Penn State and Paterno pound Purdue. (How's that for alliteration?)
In the Big 12: Oklahoma State will handle Texas with ease. Baylor at Texas A&M should be a good one, and even if the Aggies have home advantage, I'm picking the Bears. I like Baylor's QB, and I think the Bears are angry after last week's letdown. I think Kansas State will ride its confidence high to a win at Texas Tech, and Oklahoma will have no trouble beating Kansas.
Credit my brother for the picture of ducks
Pac 12: Arizona State will keep things interesting at Oregon, but I have to pick the Ducks at home. Do I even have to pick the Stanford game? Blowout city. Washington State isn't good. Washington beats Colorado.
ACC: UNC beats Miami. FSU should end the losing streak at Duke. But let me say this...if Duke pulls the upset, every person who votes for the AP Poll and USA Today Poll will get a personal letter from me about redefining the word "overrated" for the Seminoles. Georgia Tech should beat Virginia. Virginia Tech is better than FSU, so I'll pick the Hokies over Wake Forest. Clemson will continue to be overrated with a win at Maryland. Hint: Winning at Maryland does not mean you're good.
It's really hard for me to pick Big East games right now because the conference games are not easy to watch. Does anyone really care about UConn-USF? I know I don't. Rutgers is out of conference this week. Guaranteed win over Navy. West Virginia looks like the Scarlet Knights' competition for the Big East title. Come on boys, this is "R" year.
The last time I went to a Florida-Auburn game (2007)
In the beSt confErenCe: LSU should blow out Tennessee. Spurrier beats Dan Mullen. Gotta pick former Gator head coach over former Gator offensive coordinator. Alabama beats Ole Miss. Surprise, surprise, I'm picking FLORIDA over Auburn. This is the one team in the SEC Urban Meyer never beat. But you know what? Meyer is gone. Muschamp can make us all proud this weekend with a long overdue win over Auburn. The only question is: who will start at quarterback? I keep saying since this game doesn't matter, let's let Tebow and Newton come back and settle the debate on who was a better college quarterback...
GO GATORS!!!!!!! (And Go Scarlet Knights! Nebraska is off this week...so they can't lose!)
Last weekend was not a good weekend for me. Yes, Ohio State lost and I smiled - ok, maybe I pointed and laughed. Yes, Rutgers came through over Syracuse, but that was an early game - and it was all downhill from there. Florida and Nebraska both started strong and forgot to finish. And to make matters worse, the Jets didn't show up Sunday!
Kansas State pulled off a late-game drive to upset Baylor. Arkansas came back and beat Texas A&M. That's 2 weeks in a row Texas A&M blew a significant lead. Clemson continues its lucky run. South Carolina couldn't beat Auburn even with home advantage - so I have hope for the Gators when they face Spurrier on November 12.
So John Brantley actually had a decent start against Alabama, but once he threw a pick, he lost all confidence and choked. Then he got hurt. And then the game was just...awful. Also, I now have major doubts about Charlie Weis's ability to coach against an SEC defense. Seriously, Weis, you can't run Demps or Rainey up the middle into the brick wall that is Alabama's defense. The way to win that game would have been throwing down the field. I hope Weis doesn't try the same thing against LSU. LSU is so far the best college football team in the country this season. The only thing working in the Gators' favor is that LSU - much like all Gator fans - has no idea what to expect. I can't say much about the Nebraska game because I didn't see much of it. The Huskers and Gators played at the same time, and well, the Gators come first in my world.
On to Week 6 picks...
Cal loses at Oregon. Boise State won't lose at Fresno State Friday - but the Broncos may be caught off guard with a tougher game than they expect. Georgia Tech rolls over Maryland. West Virginia beats UConn. UNC beats Louisville. Purdue will beat Minnesota in a battle to see who is the worst team in the Big Ten.
Go Gators!
Oklahoma wins the Red River Rivalry. Kentucky loses again (*shock*) at South Carolina. Kansas isn't pulling an upset - Oklahoma State wins. Missouri has a chance at Kansas State, but I think Kansas State built a lot of confidence last week, and they'll likely win again. Miami loses at Virginia Tech. Arizona State wins at Utah.
Florida better put up a fight at LSU, to say the least. I will pick the Gators to win because I always do, but let it be known that I think LSU will win the SEC, and that LSU has the best chance of going undefeated in the SEC. The Tigers are talented, and Les Miles is the luckiest man alive. In another 3:30pm game, I will pick Rutgers over Pitt.
Later in the day....Arkansas over Auburn. Nebraska beats Ohio State. Let me say this, if the Huskers somehow forget the basics of football and lose to an awful Ohio State team, I will not pick Nebraska in any games for the rest of the season. Now, considering Martinez is about 1000 times better than Miller/Bauserman, I'm forced to say GO BIG RED. Huskers win this one in Lincoln. And big, I hope.
GO GATORS!!!!!!!!! Go Scarlet Knights! Go Huskers!
