Everybody take a deep breath. Notice how the air seems sweeter, the colors more vivid? That stale hot dog which you’d have spat out just 4 short weeks ago tastes better than the finest sirloin? That simply means that college football has finally, mercifully, arrived.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh.

In recent years it’s become somewhat of a tradition to watch South Carolina open the season. The Gamecocks typically face off against a) an uncompetitive SEC team, i.e. Mississippi State, or b) a mediocre ACC team. Being an SEC fan, it’s generally good to get a win for the conference, but Florida fans don’t want it to be too good. One certainly doesn’t want a Steve Spurrier-coached team getting any undue confidence, particularly in their offense.

By this standard, South Carolina has performed brilliantly these past few seasons. And your resident patron and host, Gatorpilot, an outspoken anti-Spurs advocate, certainly appreciates yet another uninspiring USC win, one which joyfully beckons to another season of frustration and disappointment for Spur-dog. Anything which hastens the retirement of the former Florida icon, and ends the awkward love-hate phase of this long relationship between fans and coach, is also welcome.

7-3. Seven-to-freakin’-three. Really? Against NC State? The Wolfpack is unlikely to be competitive in the Almost Competitive Conference. No worries, Gamecock fans, there’s no rush to book those tickets to Atlanta. Am I still a bit bitter? Why, yes. I still remember Spurrier smugly proclaiming that his team was good enough to compete for an SEC Championship as recently 2006.

Kiss the rings, fellas. Kiss the rings.

Anyway, tonight was just a tasty little morsel previewing what Gators everywhere hope will be a magnificent season for the boys in orange and blue. The SEC is ours for the taking, ladies and gentlemen.

The opening weekend is full of excellent football. Beyond the obvious Charleston Southern matchup at 7PM on Saturday, we have Georgia taking on Oklahoma State and a prime-time national telecast featuring Alabama vs. Virginia Tech. By the way, kudos to both of these SEC teams for adding to their already difficult slate by scheduling Top 25 opponents. Instead of ‘guarantee’ games we get must-watch TV. Sadly, UF is behind in this regard, but then again, if your goal is to go wire-to-wire wearing the #1 label, why make things any more difficult?

Orange and Blue Hue is back and ready to rock. GO GATORS.

A marginal Big 10 team smacked the crap out of a marginal — okay, I’m being generous here — SEC team.

The victor: Iowa. 8-4 coming into the Outback Bowl, a venue which must surely favor the Gamecocks.

It was a painful 31-10 loss for South Carolina. You want to see a haunted man, who bears the weight of failure like a thousand pounds on his shoulders? Watch Steve Spurrier’s post-game press conference. And watch his eyes closely.

They contain rage, pain, misery, confusion, and the melted veneer of countless sleepless nights. The eyes of a former champion, an unbeaten spirit, and a powerful competitor… reduced to a man wandering the halls with no answers for the evils that ail him.

“I don’t know.” Count how many times Spurrier admits to being lost. He’s a head coach who doesn’t understand why his team won’t respond to his coaching, why his gameplans don’t work, why his hires don’t pan out.

The backdrop to this horror: the jarring laughter of people who will never understand Spurrier. The entire press conference felt like a freak show, with Spurrier in the center cage, taking jeers and laughs alike in exchange for his pain.

Spurrier’s answers were, at times, as awkward as Steve Ericson’s introduction.

Spurrier’s legend dies a little more every day.

I can’t hate this man. This is not the Steve Spurrier who once led the mighty Gators. This man is a shell of his former self.

Losing is eating him up, bit by bit, piece by piece.

Coach… it’s time.

In the name of all that is holy, end this tragic comedy which is your South Carolina coaching career.

I’m the sort that thinks there’s far more to be learned from the opposing teams’ post-game pressers. After all, what do you expect Urban Meyer and Tim Tebow to say? It’s the standard stuff: keep the focus, we can still play better, guys stepped up and made plays today, etc. Meanwhile, you can get real gems out of Stephen Garcia (”that’s the fastest defense I’ve ever played”), Kenny McKlinley (”we got KILT”) and our formerly beloved head ball coach (”Percy Harvin would be running for 200 yards a game if he started for some other teams”). Enjoy.

    • Stephen Garcia and Kenny McKinley
    • Steve Spurrier
    • USC defensive coordinator and players

This is getting ridiculous.

Florida has defeated its last six opponents by a total of 299 to 63. That is not a misprint. I will state it once more: 299 to 63. In the SEC!

As a fan, even I sometimes feel the same bewilderment coaches such as Spurrier, Miles and Richt have felt when facing the Gators. It’s not fair — not even close. This is like the U.S. Air Force vs. Al Queda shooting bottle rockets out of caves. Like Andre the Giant vs. Pee-Wee Herman. Like… oh, hell, you get the picture.

Ladies and gentlemen, I believe your 2008 Florida Gators could — could — possibly be the best team to take Florida Field in the history of this football program. Two important games remain against two good teams, and then the ultimate contest. Florida must win all three for to earn that title.

But right now, would you bet against them?

Can you believe we have guys like Chris Rainey and Emmanuel Moody to bring into play in the 4th quarter when the Gators already enjoy a 40+ point advantage? How in the world doesn’t Moody get more carries? Well, duh, because Jeff Demps is out there too. And Percy Harvin. The list never ends.

I believe it’s critical to recognize the fact that South Carolina and Georgia are good SEC teams. LSU is a talented team going through some rebuilding stages but are easily in the top fifth of college football.

Florida whipped the hell out of them.

This is unprecedented. If there is a more dominant streak than Florida’s last six games in all of college football — perhaps in the history of this sport — I’d like to see it.

More on the game shortly. But for now… I am still in shock. Pay homage to this team, to this coaching staff, to the amazing things they’ve accomplished so far this season. And with any luck, the best is yet to come.

Four more games. Four more wins, and Florida finds itself in Miami playing for a crystal football. It’s the last stage of the journey these Gators started in September. And winning this game is obviously of critical importance if success is to be achieved. This is an SEC contest, but in reality its conference implications are nil. This is a spoiler game for the ‘Cocks, and a national title elimination game for Florida.

Most feel the Gators should pull away in this game, and hopefully they will. Our team is facing a brilliant offensive mind and a defense which is 100% improved from 2007. And Spurrier will have the best two quarterbacks of his tenure at USCe alternating in and out of the game, much like we saw in the Swamp in 1997 when FSU came to play, ranked #1 in the nation. Remember how that one turned out?

Citadel is ‘in the bag’. This game is as far from the bag as you can get. This is a game the Gators can and will lose if they don’t demonstrate the gameday intensity they’ve been using to smash opponents for the last seven weeks. South Carolina’s three losses were by a touchdown or less. Would you feel less confident if Spurrier came into the Swamp 8-2 or 9-1 instead of 7-3? Well, the ‘Cocks are three or four plays away from being perfect in the W-L column.

The Gators are 60 minutes away from concluding the SEC season with an Eastern division championship, a 7-1 conference record, and another week in the BCS title conversation. Play like champions today, boys.

Feel free to share your comments in the O&B Hue Gameday Open Thread, below.

Gamecock Man is a passionate, knowledgeable, and level-headed South Carolina fan who is warmly received as a commenter here at O&B Hue. He’s also a contributor to the most excellent Garnet and Black Attack, which as usual, is so much better than our humble blog that it’s depressing to think about. His opinion of Yours Truly can be found in the right sidebar under “What Dey Say”. Despite his misgivings about Gator Nation’s mental state — okay, my mental state — he has agreed to share some thoughts on the upcoming game between Florida and USCe. (In prototypical blog spit-swap style, we agreed to do the same. Our thoughts appear here.) Here we go…

Greetings, and welcome. Let’s get started. Explain how South Carolina can lose early to Vandy and Georgia (both losses by a single TD) and then go on to win six of seven games, including a road victory over the same Ole Miss team that beat Florida in the Swamp.

Why do you have to bring that up? Man, would I love to have that one back. 8-2 would be really sweet right now!

First of all, we committed a number of uncharacteristic errors in that game. We’ve been pretty solid on special teams this year, but we allowed the Dores to recover a punt that bounced off one of our return blockers leg as well as block a field goal. Those mistakes led to points for Vandy and missed opportunities for us and pretty much cost us the game. It wasn’t like Vandy blew us off the field; we outgained them by around 100 yards and generally looked like the better team for most of the game. In the end, though, Vandy came up with some huge plays when they needed them and we didn’t. Not having Kenny McKinley to help us move the ball late in the game may have hurt.
(more…)

Spurrier and his newest offensive wrinkle: Ric Flair

If you’re Steve Spurrier, you’ve got to love how this sets up. Florida’s Saturday date with the ‘Cocks is unheralded and will probably be extremely low on the hype-meter. It’s not a 12:30 game, thank heavens, but starting at 3:30 we won’t have the benefit of an evening Swamp crowd either.

Other reasons nobody’s getting worked up over this game: Tim Tebow made a Heisman statement last year when the Gators beat South Carolina in Columbia, 51-31. The ‘Cocks lost to Vandy this year, not to mention LSU and Georgia — Florida spanked all three by a combined score of 142-45. No one expects the Palmetto State Poultry to win.

Honestly, if you’ve got the unlucky draw of playing Florida, you couldn’t ask for a better way to slip into Gainesville completely under the radar.

Reasons to be nervous about this game:

1) After losing two games early, the Gamecocks have now won six out of seven.
2) Stephen Garcia is the best quarterback Spurrier’s had yet at South Carolina. After sitting out the early part of the season, he is now under center and getting better on a regular basis, although Spurrier intends to alternate between Garcia and Smelley.
3) South Carolina has the best overall defense — statistically, anyway — in the SEC.
4) It’s Steve Spurrier, and he’s always in the game.
5) It’s Steve Spurrier, and he would like to beat Florida over any other team on his schedule.
6) It’s Steve Spurrier, and he would dearly love to spoil Florida’s national title hopes despite gaining little if nothing in return for the victory, considering the ‘Cocks have already lost the East.
7) I hate Steve Spurrier. (Okay, that’s not a reason to be nervous, but I thought I’d throw that in there.)

Reasons to be confident about this game:

1) This team lost to Vandy, the team we destroyed 42-14, and Georgia, the team we beat 49-10. Oh, and they also lost to LSU, the team we beat 51-21.
2) Florida is playing at a level I’ve never seen before, on all three units. The Gators have been insanely good since the Ole Miss loss, pulverizing teams by an average score of 50 to 10.
3) It’s in the Swamp, with title implications on the line, so this and every remaining game is an absolute must-win. The boys will be ready to play.
4) South Carolina may have a good defense, but they will have no answer for Florida’s offense. I’m not sure there’s a team in college football that does.
5) Florida’s defense leads in scoring defense and in my opinion is better than their South Carolina counterparts.
6) Stephen Garcia has never played in an environment like this before.
7) I hate Steve Spurrier. (Okay, that’s not a reason to be confident, but I thought I’d throw that in there.)

Score prediction: UF 38, South Carolina 17. Go Gators.

O&B Hue is a joint effort between me and my esteemed colleagues. Gatorpilot != O&B Hue. But I’m still allowed to use my voice to crow about a Spurrier loss.

Ever since Spurrier came back to the SEC East, I’ve absolutely despised him. The only way he achieves success is by forcing my beloved Gators into failure.

I love the Gators. I don’t love Spurrier. I will love him again someday. But during the regular season, I want him to suffer.

Spurrier says he’s a Gator. But his goal every year is to wreck our season — assuming his goal is to win the SEC East. And of course that is his goal.

He chose this path.

On a warm Thursday night, he went down to Vandy — for the second year in a row. It doesn’t hurt that I love Vandy and root them to victory in any game that doesn’t involve Florida. They deserve this. And so does Spurrier.

South Carolina is truly the graveyard of once-great coaches. If Spurrier can’t succeed there, no one can.

I remind you: this is Spurrier’s 4th year as the Cocks’ head coach. His 4th year.

It is a hell of a verdict for Gamecock fans. The significance of Spurrier’s inability to compete in the Palmetto State after four years of recruiting, and “coachin’ up” is not lost on anyone in college football. Not the fans, not the pundits, not the coaches.

Nor the recruits.

Spurrier’s failure has signed South Carolina’s death sentence. Who will come after him, expecting success?

Orr made a critical error when he chose to “come home” to South Carolina. His goal undoubtedly included embarrassing our beloved Gators, embarrassing the administration which has been integral to our success, and embarrassing our fanbase.

But who’s embarrassed now?

…merely football players.

With an eye towards the end of the season, let’s look at the 2008 season as if it were a play of five acts:

Part One: Preseason preparation (Hawaii/Miami)

Following the gameplan is key: If the defense can make a few stops, the offense will almost take care of itself. Hawaii won’t be a strong offensively as last year; Colt Brennan isn’t under center, and Greg McMackin was a defensive coordinator. Expect a result similar to last year’s Sugar Bowl, and maybe a little more.

The Canes are rebuilding, but still remain dangerous. Because the offense is more of a pro-style scheme, if the run defense can shut down the tailbacks, particularly Javarris James, the secondary’s task is easier. Like Hawaii, Miami will have a new QB taking the snaps.

Part Two: The Challenge Begins (Tennessee/Mississippi/Arkansas)

The toughest challenge in this set is UT. The Gators travel to Knoxville to face UT, the most talented SEC team in the trio.

Because the game is on the road, and Florida’s strength lies on offense, getting off to a fast start could be the key to the game. The more Florida quiets the Vols crowd, the more vulnerable the Vols will be. Otherwise, the defense needs to present Johnny Crompton with as many practical problems as possible; it’s his first SEC game as starting quarterback.

Part Three: The Height of the Action (LSU/Kentucky/Georgia)

This set can make or break UF’s SEC, and thus national, title hopes.

The Tigers are still dangerous, despite losing JaMarcus Russell, LaRon Landry, Glenn Dorsey, Dwyane Bowe, Craig Davis, Early Doucet, Jacob Hester, Ali Highsmith, Craig Steltz, Chase Pittman, Chevis Jackson, Matt Flynn, and Keith Zinger to the NFL over the last two drafts; oh, and don’t forget about Ryan Perilloux, either.

Because it’ll be the second road game for the starting quarterback, creating a hostile environment helps out. And if the Gators can figure out how to use the Tigers’ inexperience against them, it makes their jobs that much easier.

As for Georgia, the key to winning the game (and, thus, the SEC East title), is forcing Matt Stafford to make committal decisions before he wants to - he threw 19 touchdowns to 10 interceptions last season. Also, because he is a passing QB, the secondary needs to bring its A-game for this one.

Playing with a sense of urgency won’t hurt, either.

Part Four: The End Is Within Sight (Vanderbilt/South Carolina/Citadel/FSU)

There shouldn’t be too many problems, but don’t ignore the Gamecocks or Seminoles.

This is the time for our cornerbacks to shine. Remember, the OBC can change quarterbacks as often as he changes golf clubs on Pebble Beach. If the secondary holds up against the Fun-n-Gun, the game is manageable.

With the Noles, there needs to be a focus on outplaying the opponent at every position. Chances are, they won’t have a lot to lose at this point in the season.

The key lies in playing “selectively aggressive” In poker, it refers to choosing hands wisely and playing them well. In football, it entails taking risks and playing conservatively at the right times.

Part Five: The Time is now (SEC title game?/bowl game?)

If the Gators make it to the SEC championship game, it will be the biggest challenge ahead for most of them. There could be more than a few nervous types taking the field.

If they maintain the right amount of competitive tension, they’ll do fine. In fact, it might help the entire team play more focused than usual.

And if the Gators were to somehow reach the BCS title game, it’s going to be in Miami. They’ve played and lost bowl games in Florida before (Capital One Bowl), and that could work in their favor.

The team had a high-powered offense.

The sophomore at quarterback was a legit Heisman contender.

The coach was a success, if not somewhat controversial.

Caldwell was one of the top receivers on the team.

Sound familiar? It should. Only this time, these words do not describe the Florida Gators of 2007.

Instead, they describe the Florida Gators of six seasons prior, in 2001. The signal-caller was Rex Grossman, a kid from Indiana who picked UF over IU, the school of his forefathers. It was Steve Spurrier’s last season behind our sidelines; the visor on his head had Gator insignia. And Reche Caldwell was a top option on the receiving corps - kid brother Andre would sign in ‘03.

How powerful was this edition of the Fun-n-Gun? It scored 538 points in one season, a school record that stood until last year’s team notched 552. Grossman, a pocket passer, threw for 3,896 yards, which remains the school record. His 3,904 yards in combined yardage was a school record that stood until Tebow had 4,181 last year. He had 34 passing touchdowns, third in school history behind Danny Wuerffel’s 1995 and 1996 seasons. And his 39 passing and rushing touchdowns that year trail only Tebow’s and Wuerffel’s Heisman-winning seasons in 1996 and 2007.

But, as with USC, they were plagued by teams that scored enough points on them to make life uncomfortable. Only this time, the magic number was 20.

In a scene eerily reminiscent of last season, the Tigers were tied with the Gators, with the ball in their hands on the last touchdown drive. Then, as Wes Byrum would do six years later, Damon Duval kicked the game-winning field goal.

Incidentially, Byrum split the uprights from 43 yards, just 1 yard shy of Duval’s mark.

Then, in a game that was postponed due to the 9/11 attacks, Tennessee won a wild shootout 34-32 after Grossman failed to convert a two-pointer on the final play of the game. The win snapped the Vols’ seven-game losing streak at the Swamp, gave Tennessee the SEC East title, and effectively killed Grossman’s Heisman campaign.

That he lost by 62 points to Nebraska’s Eric Crouch in the Heisman race underscores just how close he came to a stiff-arm, and possibly more.

By the time it was all said and done, another Sunshine State team stole the show. Miami won their fifth national title with the most dominant team in school history.