When did we break down the schedules in two parts?  It just doesn't make sense to me.  Or does it?  Usually the OOC vs IC schedule parts SEC vs well, everyone else.  Fans of Team A blasts Team B for a weak conference.  Then Team B attacks Team A's out of conference schedule.  Blah, blah, blah.  There's truth in both. 

Just take a look at the two highest profile games this upcoming year:

Ohio State at Southern Cal

Georgia vs Florida @ the Cocktail Party

Both games are being treated like it's the plus one system in effect.  Two games, most likely both will be a top 5 matchups.  Here is my point, I think.  Ohio State and USC went outside their conference to get their Top 5 matchup while Georgia and Florida have their Top 5 matchup built into their schedule.  I'm not saying either is better or worse for it.  What I'm saying is that when the season is over, all four of these teams will likely be in the Top 10 in strength of schedule.  So can we please put to rest the OOC vs the IC?  It's a weak arguement. 

 

- Brady Quinn the QB is different from Notre Dame the football team.  People are confusing them.

- Why on earth would anyone want to move Reggie Nelson to CB?  Did they not watch any Gator game in the last year?

- Calvin Johnson is the best player in this draft.  I just wish he would stop looking so damn draftable and fall to my Bucs @ the four spot.

- In terms of overall value,  Amobi Okoye is only behind Calvin Johnson.  This kid is extremely smart and only 19.  Could be a defensive franchise piece for a smart NFL Club.

- I'd rather take Robert Meachem or Dwayne Bowe than grab Ted Ginn Jr.  In three years, Ginn Jr will be strictly returning punts and kickoffs (if that). 

- Anthony Gonzalez will be the best Ohio State WR and a steal late in the second round. 

- There's a huge drop off from QB after JaMarcus Russell and Quinn.  Not sure if anyone else could start on a team in the next two years and do well. 

- There is no safe pick at RB, Adrian Peterson is the best back, but is he healthy and can he stay that way?

It’s been a while since I last posted.  Mostly because there are so many good blogs on here that by the time I do find something to write about, it’s been said already.  But since most of the SEC is being covered (Carolina – Demon, LSU – by LSU fan (like who didn’t see that coming, and Arkansas – hogfan), I figured why not shine a little more light on Florida. 

 You may all know the names of Florida standouts Chris Leak, Dallas Baker, Earl Everett, Brandon Siler, and Eric Wilbur.  (Okay, the last one was for those not paying attention.)  There are some new Gators in town and they’re going to be making an impact sooner rather than later.  Some of them have already shown what they do.  These individuals are showing up fashionable early for the BCS party. 

 Riley Cooper – While he hasn’t gotten a boat load of playing time, he’s proved vital to Florida.  He’s the player that made the hit on Doucet that caused the fumble and then safety. 

 

Brandon James – As the return specialist, this kid is quick and elusive.  He’s always one cut or block away from taking it to the house.  Just ask Tennessee who saw him take the kickoff back only to be called back by a phantom holding call and then lucky enough to trip him up (literally) to prevent him from scoring.  It’s just a matter of time before he officially makes his mark.

 

Ryan Smith – While not a true freshman, Smith is playing his first year with Florida.  Transferring from Utah, where he graduated in three years, he’s making a name for himself in the secondary.  Smith had back to back games with two interceptions with a couple of chances at having three against LSU.  Florida’s secondary was a huge question mark coming into the season.  Smith along with Tony Joiner and Reggie Nelson has turned that question mark into an exclamation point. 

  

Percy Harvin – While hobbled for the last few games with a high ankle sprain, number eight hasn’t been able to show his flair for big plays.  Harvin did show brilliance in the backfield and at receiver for the first two games.  He’s a playmaker in every since of the work.  He’s already getting comparisons to a certain Bush (not George W.)  When his ankle completely heals, look for Meyer to find new ways to get the ball in his hands. 

  

Tim Tebow – Either you love him or you are tired of hearing about him.  The kid runs over highly touted, veteran safeties, moving piles like he was Jerome Bettis.  The defenses know what’s coming, but they can’t stop it.  He still needs to work on his throws, but it doesn’t matter if the secondary is frozen by your first step and your receiver is standing alone in the end zone.  If he’s a sign of things to come, things are looking very well for Tebow Meyer, and the Gator Nation. 

  

SEC Notes:

Florida represented well on ESPN College Game Day – Whether they were chanting “Leak for Heisman” or belting out their conference pride with huge “S-E’C” chants.  Game Day is always a fun way to start off your Saturdays, but it just seemed like Gainesville upped the ante a little bit.  Side note…got to love the guy painted bronze and doing the Heisman pose. 

 

 Auburn did not look well.  Florida better keep their eyes on them and not get distracted by their ranking. 

Arkansas looked good.  Really good.  Felix Jones and Darren McFadden are a deadly combo. 

Tennessee is officially back.  Great come from behind win for them. 

 

 Funniest College Game Day sign (to me)

HETLAND FOR GROZO

Chris Hetland has yet to come through on a field goal attempt.  He’s 0-4 on his attempts.  As most of you know, the Grozo award goes to the Nations Top Kicker. 

 

 Wedding note:

I went to a wedding on Saturday.  (Yeah I know, who plans a Wedding on Saturday during college football season.  Let alone Florida vs LSU.)  I had my phone on me and my brother texting me with updates of the game.  There were more people talking about that game than paying attention to the bride and groom. 

Sign that SEC is king of college football – Two ladies (both late 50’s, early 60’s) sat at our table and talked football for over 45 mins. 

  

Personal notes:

I saw Gary Allan on Saturday night as well.  He puts on a great concert.  The place was packed and you could hear everyone singing along.  Pretty good stuff. 

$4.50 for a beer is way too much.  But of course I still paid.  I'm sure that won’t stop them from selling $4.50 beers. 

- Welcome Reggie Bush to the NFL. Reggie ran ten times for 66 yards and had four catches for 24 yards in two preseason games. Can we officially stop the Bush hype? Here’s an inside scoop that you may not know: NFL defenses are faster than PAC-10’s. (Some high schools may be too)
A side not that I though was interesting. Another rookie running back out of New Orleans isn’t doing a bad job. Could he challenge Reggie and Duece for first string?
*Jamaal Branch had 87 yards on 22 carries and three catches for 70 yards.

- Staying with the Trojan theme. Is anyone luckier than Matt Leinert? He gets to command one of the youngest and up and coming offenses. He has a QB in front of him that’s as fragile as glass. It doesn’t hurt that ASU isn’t that far away. There female quantity and quality is quite underrated.

- Why does everyone who doesn’t play fantasy sports complain? If you don’t like it, don’t worry about it. I don’t play dungeons and dragons and I don’t have a problem with those that do. You can do whatever you want.

- Adam LaRoche has got to swing (not bunt) in that situation. I like his team first attitude, but someone with 25 HRs shouldn’t lay down a bunt. Of course, if he would have grounded into a double play, I would say that he should have bunted. Fans are never happy unless their team wins. Sometimes, that doesn’t work either.

- Back to the Braves…you have to believe that a few teams will be gunning for John Smoltz in the off-season. I’d like to see him retire as a Brave, but I also have to remember how we got him. Trading a veteran for a rookie prospect.

- Do you think any team in any conference could take on the Florida Gator’s schedule and make it out unscathed?

- I think Chris Leak could have been a first round pick. He’s looking like a third from where I sit. It’s going to be even harder this season with the trouble they are having with the o-line.

- Outkast new album is interesting. If you like Speakerboxxx/The Love Below, you’ll enjoy this one as well. Hollywood Divorce is my early favorite. I think Andre could give Jay Z a run for his money. If anyone else has some good music advice, I’m all ears. I’m into anything.

- I picked up Madden for both the 360 and the regular Xbox (rented). The Xbox plays great in the NFL Superstar mode. It’s not as easy and you can’t pick your “home run” plays all the time to blow up your stats. The Xbox 360 graphics look worse than Xbox.

- I’ve had my Xbox 360 for a little over a month now and it’s already on the market to be resold. It’s not worth it right now if you are thinking about it. NCAA 07, NBA LIVE 06, and Madden 07 are all better on the original Xbox. Save your money until they make some advancements.

Does anyone own a Dodge Charger out there? I’m looking to buy one and want to see how an owner enjoys it. Hit me up if you do.

Hope everyone has a great weekend.

If you are a Gator fan, stop all the hating on Chris Leak. He’s going to be the QB this year. Tim Tebow’s potential looks good right now. Potential don’t put points on the board in the SEC.
Obviously there are some holes and strength on both sides of the ball. They are workable though and shouldn’t have that tough a time getting adjusted.
If you have looked at schedules of Top 25 teams, I don’t think you will find one as tough as Florida’s. Eight of the twelve teams that Florida will play participated in a bowl last year. That’s not counting Tennessee, which everyone will agree had a fluke season and couldn’t play up to their schedule. Florida has a three week span where they play Alabama, LSU, and at Auburn. The hopes are high, but with the schedule, there is not a team that could make it out unscathed.

Here’s a look at the upcoming 2006 Florida Gator schedule:

Week 1
Southern Miss – Florida’s warm up games are getting a little bit rougher. I guess Western Carolina was already booked. I don’t see them losing, but I don’t see them putting up their normal week one 70-3 win here either. I see Urban Meyer working hard on getting his running game in order here. You may see a mixture in the first half of pass and rush, but second half you will see the running backs vie for that starting position. This may also be where you see Tebow for the first time. Predict: Win

Week 2
UCF – You will see plenty of what you saw in the first week. Meyer trying to right his offense with his balanced spread attack. He knows he will see stronger and faster defenses in the upcoming weeks of SEC play. Predict: Win

Week 3
@ Tennessee – This is where two things will happen. We will see if Florida is legit and ready to climb back to the top of the SEC or if Tennessee is ready to shrug off last season. This game is being played in Neyland Stadium. So expect it to be a hostile environment. If either team goes up by more than 10, I think they win. Florida has to score early, get the crowd out of it and let their defense handle. Predict: Win (by late field goal or perhaps OT)

Week 4
Kentucky – After the battle with the Volunteers, the Gators will rip apart whoever they play next. Whether they win or lose, look out Wildcats. They will be hyped and ready to knock some teeth down some throats. Predict: W (first big blowout)

Week 5
Alabama – This is the game a lot of Gator fans have been looking forward to. A rematch from the debacle at Bryant Denny Stadium last year where Alabama jumped out ahead and never looked back. This game will not resemble that one. Which I’m sure that’s what everyone though last year as well. Predict: W (Florida is rolling, but the two toughest weeks are ahead)

Week 6
LSU – Florida played them tightly last year and lost by four points. Les Miles has one of the more talented teams in the nation and they may be looking for a title outside of the Southeast themselves at this point (if they beat Auburn). This game will be won or lost by the offensive line. If they can handle the defensive pressure by LSU, they could put LSU’s hope out to pasture. Predict: W (a tough battle but Florida pulls this one out in The Swamp)

Week 7
@ Auburn – This is a UF fan’s biggest nightmare. Coming off two hard fought games against SEC West foes, they play Auburn @ Jordan Hare (which sounds like a dyslexic talking about the Jordan VIIs). This will be the one game that will turn National Championship dreams into the SEC Championship race. Predict: L (If this game is played in The Swamp, it may be a different story)

Week 9
@ Jacksonville – The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party (is this an actual Guinness World Record, I may have to do more leg work for this one). Georgia is coming off back to back years with senior QBs. Joe Tereshinski is not the answer that many a fan is Athens is looking for. I’m sure down the road there will be some tremendous QB battles between Tim Tebow and Matt Swafford, but those days just aren’t here yet. Predict: W

Week 10
Vanderbilt – This game is going to be like me play NCAA against my wife, just unfair. Predict: W

Week 11
South Carolina – What kind of reaction will Steve Spurrier receive in Gainesville? What kind of reaction will he get if he wins or loses in Gainesville? I don’t think he will squeak one out in the Swamp. Though I do think about what Chris Leak would have done in his offense had he been there. (I know Ron Zook recruited him after Spurrier left) Predict: W

Week 12
Western Carolina – Never mind, they scheduled them for Week 12. This will be a game where the beat up get healthy and those freshmen and sophomores see a lot of time mixing in with juniors or seniors. Predict: W (Blowout)

Week 13
@ Florida State – The Seminoles are coming off a down year which saw them win the ACC title. Not a bad down year. Bobby Bowden doesn’t mind conference titles, but he aims higher than that. This one could go either way. Like most games against these two, you don’t know who will win. You could flip a coin and be just as likely to pick a winner. Florida State’s looks to be recruiting like the Bengal’s draft, nothing but trouble. For that, I will give the nod to the Gators. Predict: W

This could work out a lot of different way. I could also see Florida losing to Tennessee, LSU, and South Carolina (if they aren’t careful), and Florida State. Their schedule is gruesome. They could easily be Tennessee from last year or an At Large BCS team. That’s what makes football so great and so frustrating. I’m sure Oklahoma, USC, Texas, and Ohio State couldn’t go through this schedule either. Some years just aren’t your year. This looks like it won’t for the Gator Nation. We’ll try it again in two years.