Florida Football - Fanblogs.com

Breaking: Meyer not retiring; will take leave of absence

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:24:48 -0500

Despite text messages from his wife saying there was "no chance" Urban Meyer would reconsider his shocking retirement announcement, apparently he has done exactly that.

According to the Orlando Sentinel, Gators coach Urban Meyer will take a leave of absence for an indefinite amount of time before returning as head coach. Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio will take over as the interim head coach.

Meyer, who had attributed his retirement decision to concerns over his health, admitted to the New York Times that he had been suffering from chest pains. Meyer revealed that he had passed out for 90 minutes and needed hospitalization following the SEC championship game. Multiple outlets have said that Meyer told his team that he has been hospitalized several times since that incident, all related to additional medical tests for a cardiac condition.

Palm Beach Post beat writer Benjamin Volin commented that Meyer may need a heart valve replacement, an in-patient surgical procedure which would require Meyer to be monitored in the intensive care unit and be sidelined for considerable time before until cleared to return to work.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen said that Florida AD Jeremy Foley had floated the leave of absence option to Meyer for at least a week before Meyer made his initial decision to retire.

In a press conference in New Orleans today, Meyer said his change of heart and decision to take the leave of absence rather than retire came after spending time with the team at practice in the wake of his initial announcement.

"It was our players," Meyer said.

He informed his wife and children of the decision as they joined the team for the flight from Gainesville to New Orleans.

During the Q&A portion of the press conference, Meyer declined to discuss any specific medical condition that prompted his decision, but said that he did not have a heart attack. He would not disclose medical advice doctors have given him regarding stepping away from coaching.

As far as a timeline for his return, Meyer said the "intention is there" to be back as the head coach.

"If I am able to go coach, I want to coach at one place... it's the University of Florida," Meyer said.

When pressed for his "gut feeling", Meyer said that thinks he will be back on the sidelines for the 2010 season.

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Urban Meyer leaving Florida; Nick Saban responds, "I will not be the next coach at Florida."

Sat, 26 Dec 2009 19:10:18 -0500

In what's sure to be a shocker to most college football fans, Florida Coach Urban Meyer has announced that he will be stepping down for health reasons. He will coach the Gators through the Sugar Bowl, & he will remain in Gainesville, & also continue on working for the University, as well.

My first impression of this is:

1.) There have been some hints about Meyer's health for a few years now. It seems that it was not just smoke.

2.) Truly unfortunate for the sport. Meyer proved that a "gimmick offense" could be applied at a BCS program & truly dominate. His contributions will be missed.

3.) This one might come off a tad harsh, but we'll never really know if that offense can work as its intended without Tim Tebow there. Unless they bring on another Spread Option guru (Coach Mullen, Jeremy Foley is on Line 1...).

Comment on Urban Meyer leaving Florida; Nick Saban responds, "I will not be the next coach at Florida."...

2009-2010 College Football Bowl Game Television Schedule

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:09:51 -0500

Despite what you may hear from skeptics, there's no better season in all of sports than college football bowl season and the complete television schedule for the bowl games is right here on Fanblogs, brought to you by BangTheBook.com.

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Date/Time/TV	Bowl	Site	Matchup
Saturday Dec. 19 2 :30 pm ET ESPN	New Mexico Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Albuquerque, NM University Stadium	Wyoming vs. Fresno State
Saturday Dec. 19 8:00 pm ET ESPN	St. Petersburg Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	St. Petersburg, FL Tropicana Field	Rutgers vs. Central Florida
Sunday Dec. 20 8:00 pm ET ESPN	R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	New Orleans, LA Louisiana Superdome	Southern Miss vs. Middle Tenn St
Tuesday Dec. 22 8:00 pm ET ESPN	MAACO Bowl Las Vegas Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Las Vegas, NV Sam Boyd Stadium	BYU vs. Oregon State
Wednesday Dec. 23 8:00 pm ET ESPN	San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium	Utah vs. Cal
Thursday Dec. 24 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Honolulu, HI Aloha Stadium	SMU vs. Nevada
Saturday Dec. 26 4:30 pm ET ESPN	Meineke Car Care Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Charlotte, NC Bank of America Stadium	North Carolina vs. Pitt
Saturday Dec. 26 5 :00 pm ET ESPN	Little Caesars Pizza Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Detroit, MI Ford Field	Ohio U vs. Marshall
Saturday Dec. 26 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Emerald Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Francisco, CA AT&T Park	Boston College vs. USC
Sunday Dec. 27 8:15 pm ET ESPN	Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Nashville, TN LP Field	Clemson vs. Kentucky
Monday Dec. 28 5:00 pm ET ESPN	AdvoCare V100 Independence Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Shreveport, LA Independence Stadium	Texas A&M vs. Georgia
Tuesday Dec. 29 4:30 pm ET ESPN	EagleBank Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Washington, DC RFK Stadium	Temple vs. UCLA
Tuesday Dec. 29 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Champs Sports Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium	Miami vs. Wisconsin
Wednesday Dec. 30 4:30 pm ET ESPN	Roady's Humanitarian Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Boise, ID Bronco Stadium	Bowling Green vs. Idaho
Wednesday Dec. 30 8:00 pm ET ESPN	Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Diego, CA Qualcomm Stadium	Nebraska vs. Arizona
Thursday Dec. 31 2:00 pm ET NFL Network	Texas Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Houston, TX Reliant Stadium	Missouri vs. Navy
Thursday Dec. 31 Time TBA ESPN	Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Fort Worth, TX Amon G. Carter Stadium	Air Force vs. Houston
Thursday Dec. 31 12:00 pm ET CBS	Brut Sun Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	El Paso, TX Sun Bowl Stadium	Stanford vs. Oklahoma
Thursday Dec. 31 5:30 pm ET NFL Network	Insight Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Tempe, AZ Sun Devil Stadium	Minnesota vs. Iowa State
Thursday Dec. 31 7:30 pm ET ESPN	Chick-fil-A Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Atlanta, GA Georgia Dome	Virginia Tech vs. Tennessee
Friday Jan. 1 11:00 am ET ESPN	Outback Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Tampa, FL Raymond James Stadium	Auburn vs. Northwestern
Friday Jan. 1 1:00 pm ET CBS	Konica Minolta Gator Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Municipal Stadium	FSU vs. West Virginia
Friday Jan. 1 1:00 pm ET ABC	Capital One Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Orlando, FL Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium	Penn State vs. LSU
Friday Jan. 1 5:00 pm ET ABC	Rose Bowl presented by Citi Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl	Ohio State vs. Oregon
Friday Jan. 1 8:30 pm ET FOX	Allstate Sugar Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	New Orleans, LA Superdome	Florida vs. Cincinnati
Saturday Jan. 2 12:00 pm ET ESPN2	International Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Toronto, Canada Rogers Centre	South Florida vs. Northern Illinois
Saturday Jan. 2 2 :00 pm ET ESPN	PapaJohns.com Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Birmingham, AL Legion Field	Connecticut vs. South Carolina
Saturday Jan. 2 2:00 pm ET FOX	AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Arlington, TX Cowboys Stadium	Oklahoma State vs. Ole Miss
Saturday Jan. 2 5:30 pm ET ESPN	AutoZone Liberty Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Memphis, TN Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium	East Carolina vs. Arkansas
Saturday Jan. 2 9 :00 pm ET ESPN	Valero Alamo Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	San Antonio, TX Alamodome	Michigan State vs. Texas Tech
Monday Jan. 4 8:00 pm ET FOX	Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Glendale, AZ University of Phoenix Stadium	TCU vs. Boise State
Tuesday Jan. 5 8:00 pm ET FOX	FedEx Orange Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Miami, FL Dolphin Stadium	Georgia Tech vs. Iowa
Wednesday Jan. 6 7 :00 pm ET ESPN	GMAC Bowl Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Mobile, AL Ladd Peebles Stadium	Troy vs. Central Michigan
Thursday Jan. 7 8:00 pm ET ABC	BCS National Championship Game Bowl Tickets Flights + Hotels Odds & Picks	Pasadena, CA Rose Bowl	Alabama vs. Texas

The 2009 college football season will be capped by exciting college football bowl games, including the 2009 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, the 2009 Fiesta Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona, the 2009 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, Louisiana, the 2009 Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida and the 2009 BCS National Championship Game in Pasadena, CA.

The best college football teams from the major conferences, including the Big10 conference, Big 12 conference, Pac 10 conference, ACC conference, Big East conference, SEC conference, and Mountain West conference will face off in college football bowl games throughout December and into January.

If you're looking for updated matchups, odds, insights, betting lines and online wagering for the college football bowl games, please be sure to try BangTheBook.com.

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Gators On Target For Anticlimactic Sugar Bowl Showing Like Alabama's Last Year?

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:49:31 -0500

Sure this is Florida's winningest senior class ever. It will be legend Tim Tebow's last game in a Gator uniform. They will be playing in the Sugar bowl, a BCS contest, against upstart undefeated Cincinnati. Yea, I know, it's not Pasadena. Many Gators fans were thinking BCS national championship game all the way this season. Undefeated--something no Gator team has ever done. But a blow-out rematch with Alabama in the SEC CG has put Florida in the same pot as Alabama was last year--in a consolation match in the Sugar Bowl--the de facto home of the SEC CG loser the last couple of years. Hey! This is the Sugar, not the Weedeater Bowl. And this time it's against a BCS opponent (barely), not a Mountain West upstart. But it's Pasadena Lost for the Gators and they might be looking to lay an egg on par with what the Crimson Tide did with Utah last year.

Gator fans, like all fans, seem to be voting with their wallets. Initially given an allotment of 17,500 tickets at $125 each, Florida had roughly 5000 still available as of Friday, a far cry from the immediate sell-outs from years past. This is the school's 19th consecutive bowl game. And it's the SUGAR Bowl (did we mention that?) The usual suspects are trotted out as excuses for the lack of virility in ticket sales. The economy is bad. It's Christmas time. Come on Gators, get up and go (to NOLA).

Don't get me wrong. I've always said that the Gators travel better than any other team in the SEC. And I think the Gators will go to the game en masse. They just may not buy the tickets through the university at inflated prices, not with so many discounted tickets being available on the secondary market. Hey, a fan's got to do what a fan's got to do. It's the University Athletic Association that's on the hook for the tickets. They have to eat what's left, and that could end up being quite the feast with two or three thousand tickets left when it's all said and done.

The original deadline for sales was two Saturdays ago. Then it got moved to last Wednesday. Now there is no deadline. Call now! Operators are standing by. An email was sent out to 500,000 fans stating that there is no limit on the number purchased. And the first 500 callers will receive a free Gator Snuggie complete with a bonus reading light. Okay, I'm just kidding about the Snuggie. But you can keep the reading light as a token of our appreciation. Could you maybe include a Sham Wow? Perhaps bundle them with mortgages and sell them on Wall Street? Throw in a Nobel Peace Prize with the purchase of five or more? Or why not just cut prices? Hmmm.

So does all this add up to a possible anticlimactic ending for Florida against Cincinnati come next Friday night, or will the Gators give Tebow his rightful send off? Do we need another promise speech by Tebow as motivation? Can we expect another address by Corrine Brown? On paper, Florida looks stronger than the Bearcats. Plus, they just got their coach poached by Notre Dame. Maybe Cincy might be a little anticlimactic too, having had the wind knocked out of them and blown clear into South Bend. But they do have something to prove--not only for their program, but for the Big East. That and the fact that they're a pretty damn good football team.

But what will Tebow have to say about all this? It was rumored that he was upset about the lack of intensity in practices leading up to Atlanta by some of his teammates . Will he sufficiently motivate the team this time? Tebow has only lost back-to-back games once in his career--in 2007 against Auburn and LSU. And the Gators severely under-achieved in the Capital One Bowl that year by losing to Michigan. Will that Gator team show up in New Orleans this year and have their captain ride off into an orange and blue sunset?

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Urban Meyer to be the Example Under New SEC 'No-Whining' Mandate?

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:39:44 -0500

Channeling Saddam Hussein and the Security Council mandates and current-day Iran and the nuclear proliferation warnings, Florida coach Urban Meyer may have already crossed the proverbial line in the SEC sand by criticizing officiating before the ink was dry on last week's decree of 1st offense suspension for that very infraction.

Talking about a late hit on Tim Tebow by Georgia linebacker Nick Williams after Tebow had handed off the ball, Meyer said, "That should have been a penalty, in my opinion. You've got to protect quarterbacks. That's the whole purpose. It's right in front of the referee."

Meyer disclosed that that play was one of several that he refered to the SEC office, and confirmed that he did hear back from them, but declined comment.

I'm not sure I'm allowed to give you that, what they said. I don't want to get out of line."

Don't want to step out of line? What about that first comment? Rewind that, please!

SEC Bylaw 10.5.4. is the one that specifically addresses the criticizing of officials and now ups the ante for a first offense to a suspension, with reprimands being virtually useless with this bunch. But does the league have the stones to stick it to a coach who's currently ranked number one AND is the defending national champion, especially when compared through the prism of Kiffin-like infractions? THAT's a tough one.

Have no doubt that Meyer is currently at his leisure this week, basking in a beatdown of Georgia AND severly disiplining Brandon Spikes for dirty play two days ago. Memo to SEC commish Mike Slive: Why not suspend him for the second half of the Vanderbilt game this weekend.

***********************************************************************************************************************************

Getting tired of all the Florida threads on here? Me too, but there's seemingly nothing else going on outside the Gator universe. But in case we start to run out of Gator threads, here are some other ones that we can probably look forward to soon:

From the home office in Atlanta, GA, tonight's TOP 10 Possible Stories Coming Out of Gainesville Before the End of the Year:

10) Tebow calls recruits from NFL draft combine...

9) Brandon Spikes arrested for gouging glass out of YouTube TV sets...

8) Gators to wear Halloween-inspired uniforms like Georgia and Tennessee for SEC championship Game in Atlanta...

7) UF President Bernie Machen nixes another possible Corrine Brown gratulation speech following BCS CG in Pasadena...

6) Gator Snuggie outsells Bama Shama-Wow as top Christmas gag gift...

5) Vanderbilt scores 48 in first half explosion to seal upset against weakened Gator D...

4) Gators give Bobby Bowden Retirement Gift...

3) Tebow again takes separate plane, this time out to Pasadena...

2) Triple trade. Charlie Weiss goes to Illinois, Meyer goes to Notre Dame. Zook back to Gainesville...

1) Florida interviews alumnus Gene Chizik for opening one month into recruiting season...

Comment on Urban Meyer to be the Example Under New SEC 'No-Whining' Mandate?...

Florida's Brandon Spikes Playing Dirty Against Georgia?

Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:06:47 -0500

Watch #51 for Florida, Brandon Spikes, as he appears to intentionally eye gouge Georgia's Waushaun Ealey once he is down. It's hard to see at first, but much easier on the replay. If you want it really blown up (albeit lesser quality), click this link.

****UPDATE**** Florida coach Urban Meyer has suspended Spikes for the first half of this week's Vanderbilt game. This action comes after some have called for the SEC to suspend him if the Gators don't.

Comment on Florida's Brandon Spikes Playing Dirty Against Georgia?...

Tech, Bulldogs to face off in Kickoff Classic?

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:14:51 -0500

While Georgia Tech and Georgia have traditionally ended their seasons with their rivalry game, both schools confirmed talks to start their seasons in the 2011 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic in the Georgia Dome.

Officials from both schools said Wednesday they are discussing the possibility of playing their state rival in a neutral-site game in Atlanta to kick off the 2011 season.
Georgia Tech, which is scheduled to host the Bulldogs that year under the normal home-and-home format, would not give up a game at Bobby Dodd Stadium, said athletic director Dan Radakovich.

Instead, the talks involve taking a one-year break in the schools' season-ending routine for the chance to face each other in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the 70,000-seat Georgia Dome.

The biggest sticking point could be the makeup of Georgia's 2011 schedule. If the Bulldogs have their season-ending home game with the Yellow Jackets shifted to the first game of the season, the team would finish their season with three straight road games.

Let me say this... I love the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic and the ACC-SEC matchups, but... I really don't like the idea of moving a rivalry game to a neutral field if the tradition is home-and-home. It would suck to move Clemson-South Carolina or Florida-Florida State to a neutral field, so... don't.

I also don't agree with taking regular matchups and moving them. I'd much rather see the game continue to pair matchups that we don't normally see, such as FSU-Georgia, Clemson-Auburn, Florida-Virginia Tech, Alabama-Miami, Tennessee-North Carolina or other interesting possibilities.

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Gator Bowl to match SEC vs Big Ten; more bowl shakeups ensue

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 10:43:42 -0500

After months of wrangling and having the ACC reject the bowl's latest proposal, the Gator Bowl is finalizing a four-year agreement that will pit an SEC team against a Big 10 team in the 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013 seasons.

Officials from the SEC have already confirmed their participation to The Birmingham News. Under the terms, the Gator will get "at least" the sixth pick of bowl-eligible SEC teams. The pick position could vary on a year-to-year basis, but more details would be announced once the Big 10 announces its bowl agreements next week.

The Gator Bowl is also in final talks to become part of a broadcast deal with ESPN, leaving CBS, in a move that could signal the end of the exclusive broadcast window that has been previously negotiated for the Capital One Bowl.

With the Cotton Bowl moving to January 2nd, the result of the Gator Bowl agreement means that all three non-BCS games on New Years Day will feature SEC vs Big 10 matchups.

With the end of the ACC / Big East relationship in the Gator Bowl, the ACC and Big East have signed an agreement with the Champs Bowl which will essentially recreates the conferences past Gator relationship in Orlando.

Under the terms to begin with the 2010 season, the ACC will send its #3 selection to the Champs Bowl to face the Big East's #2 selection or Notre Dame. The Champs can select Notre Dame once over the four year agreement if the Irish have seven wins and are within two wins of the #2 Big East school.

With the Gator Bowl now aligned with SEC, the Independence Bowl finds itself as odd-man out in the SEC bowl mix after 15 years with the conference. Instead, the Independence Bowl will look to sign a new bowl matchup between the ACC and Mountain West.

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Will he or won't he? LSU vs. Florida

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 21:35:44 -0500

Yes, it's that time...I've awoken from my humbling slumber to regale you all with a midweek missive regarding our memorable tilt in Tiger Stadium on Saturday Night. Rip Van TE has awoken from his long nap, ready to snap off delusion-filled, self-aggrandizing, snarky comments to friend & foe alike.

And what a time to have been roused from my posting slumber. We find the most over-ranked, illegitimate 4th ranked team since, well...since these losers...going up against this year's Greatest Team In College Football History.

Tim Tebow & his Merry Band of 11 AD/HD - Sociopathic-Navy-Seals-with-a-penchant-for-violence -&- a-wanton-disregard-for-human-life-disguised-as-the-Florida Defense will roll into Tiger Stadium to face an LSU Team that's won unimpressively, but at least not apologetically (cough** University of Georgia Football Program & Fans are classless whiners **cough).

Most recently, LSU laid only the third loss on the Georgia Bulldogs at the hands of a conference foe since the Richt Era began, in quite impressive fashion. The Fighting Ifs will tell you that a phantom penalty cost UGA the game, but they'll forget that UGA had the same ability to return a kick from the same spot that LSU did. They had more time than LSU had to score the final touchdown on Charles Scott's 33 yard scamper. They even had 1 timeout, just as LSU did.

What they didn't have was a quarterback who minds throwing into coverage on 3rd & 15 with the game on the line.

Seriously, UGA fans...Since when does an Excessive Celebration Penalty=an automatic touchdown, two point conversion, plus an automatic interception turnover on downs to end a game? Someone call the paramedics!

Moving right along, the main storyline-other than the fact that LSU is a fraud (Thanks, Mark May of ESPN...How do you like us now?), of course-is whether or not Jesus Tebow will play or not.

Tom Rinaldi, Joe Schad, Tom Jones, Joe Perry...hell...everyone but D.B. Cooper have all weighed in on whether or not this kid should play, could play, might play, will play. I do believe, though, that the most important folks with a sayso in this decision haven't weighed in yet.

Having thrown aside all of the amazing hype surrounding this game, along with all of the visqueen we have to hold up whenever Lou Holth talkth to uth about thith gamth, by now, you're wondering who, what, where, & how I think this game will be won.

I got news for you: If you think I'm venturing an opinion after last year's record with me writing articles preceding LSU's biggest conference games, I think you might wanna stop some of Tim Tebow's Neurologists & ask them to examine your head.

Let's just say, I love LSU. I love College Football. I love games of this magnitude. I love our chances, & I sure do wish you had the privilege of being right here on Saturday Night at 7pm (That's me behind the camera, by the way).

(I'd like to pat myself on the back while pointing out to all of you Alabama Fans that I went the ENTIRE POST without mentioning you, Alabama's Recruiting Violations, your many stints on probation, or your delusional fanbase! So stop complaining, already!)

Comment on Will he or won't he? LSU vs. Florida...

FSU Trustee: 'I think enough is enough'

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 09:46:03 -0500

On the heels of two embarrassing losses which have shaken the confidence of even the most faithful Florida State boosters, the chairman of the FSU Board of Trustees is publicly calling for legendary coach Bobby Bowden's retirement.

The final straw appears to be FSU's loss to Boston College before a televised audience that showed the nation's 99th offense rack up more than 400 yards against the Seminoles defense and yet another failed goal-line drive for the Florida State offense, the fourth time in the last two game that FSU has been stopped with first and goal inside the ten.

Despite an impressive win over BYU earlier this season, Florida State (2-3) is off to their worst start in more than a quarter of a century. In the past 11 games against DI-A opponents, FSU is just 5-6 and has not won back-to-back games during that span. And following the 28-21 loss to the Eagles, the Noles are 0-2 in ACC play for the first time in the school's history.

Jim Smith, the chair of the university’s Board of Trustees, told the Tallahassee Democrat that change must come to Seminole football.

"My hope is frankly that we'll go ahead, and if we have to, let the world know that this year will be the end of the Bowden Era," said Smith... "… I do appreciate what he's done for us, what he's done for the program, what's he done really for the state of Florida."
"But I think the record will show that the Seminole Nation has been more than patient. We have been in a decline not for a year or two or three but I think we’re coming up on seven or eight. I think enough is enough."

Smith cautioned that change shouldn't come midseason, but insisted that it come after this season.

One complicating factor is that FSU President, T.K. Wetherell, has announced his own retirement. There is some debate that Wetherell, who once played for Bowden at Florida State, may not be in a position to force the coach's resignation, should Bowden not be inclined to retire. However, Smith insisted that the talks are ongoing within the Office of the Presindent, as the Trustees do not want to leave the matter for an incoming university president.

FSU named Jimbo Fisher as head coach in waiting in 2007 under a contract that would guarantee him the position following the 2010 season or a cash payment of $5 million. FSU fans were buoyed by the move initially, but have grown more impatient as the Noles have arguably regressed in the 2009 campaign.

Smith told the Tallahassee Democrat that FSU is working on the terms of a head coaching contract for Fisher. While details have not been announced, the Democrat said the term would be for five years and give Fisher the ability to hire and fire assistant coaches at the end of this season.

A number of rumors are lighting up FSU message boards, all signaling infighting between the FSU assistant coaches, including Fisher.

One such rumor had long-term defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews challenging Fisher over who should give the pre-game speech to the team. While no media organization has been able to confirm the rumors, it really shouldn't surprise anyone - considering that FSU has a head coach, a coach in waiting, an executive head coach, an associate head coach and an assistant head coach.

New rumors are swirling that an announcement regarding the coaching staff may be coming this week; however, I think that is highly unlikely, especially as it relates to Bowden. An announcement regarding the future of the team - including a new contract for Fisher - would be more likely after this week's game, as the Seminoles have a bye week following the Georgia Tech game.

Fisher drew both intense support and criticism for his comments following the loss to South Florida, saying that FSU players and fans need a culture change.

"I don't mean this in any disrespect - we have to forget the past," he said. "This isn't Florida State of the '90s. This is Florida State of the 2000s. Whether it's good or bad... we have to create our own history. We have to create our own culture. We have to create our own mystique. That's what those guys did during that time."

FSU fans have taken to Facebook to initiate a black-out campaign at all remaining home games as a signal to the administration that the time has come for change.

From my perspective, Smith's comments signal an intense behind-the-scenes effort to encourage Bowden's retirement haven't born fruit. As a result, the university is now upping the ante, with Smith publicly stating what many within the university have been saying for months.

For his part, Bowden has said that he will evaluate his future at the end of the season -- as he does every year -- regardless of the support or criticism he faces.

"'I've been through it. I'm old. I won't listen. I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. Some people tell me, but I don't do a lot of reading when we are doing bad. I know a lot of coaches don't even read the sports page.
But I will determine my situation. I will tell Florida State University when my move is to come. I already know in the back of my mind when I want to leave here. I won't let some guys speculation tell me when to move or what decision to make. If it has something to do with that, it will be based with me and the president of our university."

And the 79-year old coach insisted that he isn't throwing in the towel on FSU's season during the post-game press conference.

"I think there's enough quality on this football team and enough brains on this staff to eventually get this thing together," Bowden said. "We get beat here, we get beat there, we close that, we lose this here and it's just a matter that you can't give up. You can't give up, I refuse to."

Comment on FSU Trustee: 'I think enough is enough'...

World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party staying in Jacksonville

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:18:41 -0500

Try to feign shock as much as possible... the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party staying in Jacksonville.

The school[s] agreed to a six-year deal Wednesday to keep the game in Jacksonville through 2016. The current contract was set to expire after the 2010 season.
"We have agreed to continue to play the Florida-Georgia game in Jacksonville for an additional six years after the current contract expires following the 2010 game," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said in a statement. "We are excited about keeping the game in Jacksonville."

Despite an effort by Georgia boosters to move the game to Atlanta or rotate the game as a home-and-home or neutral-and-neutral, it turns out that the rather insightful ancient Taoist saying (that I absolutely fabricated) back in April was spot on: "Money talks. Bullshit walks."

Plain & simple, Jacksonville is the best deal that either team could get. Period. End of story.

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Nation's longest FBS winning streak ends

Sat, 19 Sep 2009 22:22:15 -0500

The longest winning streak in the nation, 16 games from 2007-2009, ended with a 31-24 road loss to Oregon. Their 18 game streak in 2003-2005 is the longest in their history and it was tied with a streak in the 20's for the second longest. Utah's nation leading 9 game road winning streak also ended. Utah still has their nation leading 8 game (6 in consecutive years) bowl winning streak.

Florida now has the longest winning streak at 10 games.

Prior to this week it appeared that a MWC team could make a BCS berth with a loss. After this week that is not so promising. More on that latter this week when I continue my series "MWC: Put up or shut up."

The game was close to the very end, though Oregon had the lead since taking a 14-7 lead in the first. Utah gave up way too many yards on kick returns, including a punt return on their first punt of the game. Utah's offense also look problematic, verifying concerns revealed in the first two games are worse than one could have hoped.

When Utah's last streak ended they had a serious lack of talent and their motivation folded. They stumbled to a win the next week before dropping 3 in a row. I don't expect this to happen again this year, but I also don't think they have the offensive weapons it will take to win the MWC. 9-3 should be in reach and a chance to extend their bowl winning streak, maybe in the Poinsettia Bowl.

Oregon has regained some of the credibility lost in their opening game to Boise State, thought they will have to prove themselves in the PAC 10.

Good game Mayor, now excuse me while I begin trying to forget/justify this weekend. The whole weekend. Every game.

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simulated BCS Standings: Week 2

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:37:44 -0500

Our friend Samuel Chi at BCS Guru has published this weeks simulated BCS standings. For a more detailed explanation of how the ranking is simulated follow the link provided.

For an explanation for why the computers are hating on Florida see his writeup for the current week.

Bold indicates the highest ranked teams from automatic qualifying(AQ) conferences, a strike represent additional teams from the SEC and Big 12. Teams vying for a final AQ awarded to the highest ranked team from a conference without an AQ if at least one makes the final top 12 are in italics. The remaining teams (including those in italics not selected) are fighting for the last remaining BCS openings. Gaps represent large differences in the BCS standigns.

1) USC 0.8727

2) Texas 0.7882
3) Alabama 0.7870
4) ~~Florida~~ 0.7540

5) ~~LSU~~ 0.6655
6) California 0.6460
7) Boise State 0.6097
8) Penn State 0.5992
9) BYU 0.5987

10) ~~Ole Miss~~ 0.5240

11) Ohio State 0.4332
12) ~~Oklahoma~~ 0.4050
13) Georgia Tech 0.3727
14) TCU 0.3651
===BCS Eligibility Line===
15) Utah 0.3505
16) Virginia Tech 0.3500

17) ~~Oklahoma State~~ 0.2552
18) North Carolina 0.2460
19) ~~Nebraska~~ 0.2176
20) Cincinnati 0.1979
===Watch Line===
21) Houston 0.1880
22) ~~Georgia~~ 0.1697
23) Miami(FL) 0.1467
24) ~~Missouri~~ 0.1375
25) Pittsburgh 0.1284

As usual the Big 12 and SEC dominate the standings with 5 teams each, many near the top.

Currently three teams from outside the BCS AQ conferences have crossed the #14 ranking needed to become BCS eligible. Two have made it into the top 10. A total of five are present in the top 25. This all suggests that a robust push by the MWC, WAC and C-USA to earn their AQ is underway.

If BYU wins this week against FSU they should take the lead from Boise State and hold it until they lose a game.

California (or USC) and Ohio State (or Penn State) are the only obstacles blocking the BCS from being forced to take a second team from outside the six AQ conferences. Virginia Tech and North Carolina are on deck to fill any vacancies, despite the media bombardment directed at the ACC so far this year.

The ACC certainly is not looking to be as even across the board as it was last year. If they are, it will be serious trouble for them.

The Big East also advanced further into the standings with Cincinnati entering the watch list and Pittsburgh joining them in the top 25, reflecting a strong early performance against mostly outmatched opponents. This week should be a good barometer of how good the Big East really is. Have we all really forgotten 2006 and 2007 already?

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How good is Auburn?

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 08:01:59 -0500

Two weeks into the 2009 season and the Auburn hype machine is getting ready to move into full swing.

Say what you will about the Tigers strength of schedule so far -- which has featured two impressive home wins against Louisiana Tech (W 37-13) and Mississippi State (W 49-24) -- but no one can dispute that Auburn is seriously moving the football.

In two games, the Tigers have 1,145 yards of total offense under new head coach Gene Chizick. Yes, you read that right - one thousand one hundred forty five... in two games.

Where's all that offense coming from?

Quite simply, the big boys in the trenches are getting it done. The Tigers have rushed for 691 yards in two games. At school long known for outstanding running backs, Auburn set a new rushing mark this week with two running backs going over 100 yards each for two consecutive weeks. Against SEC West division competition this past weekend, the Tigers AVERAGED 6.6 yards per rushing attempt. Are you kidding me? That's sick. That's vulgar. That's just nasty. This O-line is seriously pushing and clearly believe in this offensive system.

The defense? Not great, but pretty salty. The Tigers are getting it done - creating some turnovers and putting their offense in a position to win... even when the offense isn't needing a lot of help. I'm not certain you can measure this defense against LaTech and the Bulldogs just yet, but.... there could be something happening here.

But the question remains... how good is Auburn? The honest answer is nobody knows.

Auburn plays host to West Virginia this weekend in a nationally televised game for ESPN. While WVU represents another BCS test for the Tigers, the early lines have Auburn at nearly a touchdown favorite, with that number expected to trend up. After WVU, Auburn gets an over-matched MAC conference opponent Ball State at home. In other words, it's quite likely that the Plainsmen will finish September at 4-0.

And what will all that mean? Expect Auburn to get a big boost in the polls by the first of October and the hype machine to be in full effect. Pundits will begin repeating the observation that the Tigers miss Florida in the SEC East rotation this season... ramping up expectations that could place Auburn in the SEC championship game.

But the million (or in the SEC's case, multi-million) dollar question remains.... how good is Auburn?

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Will H1N1 paly a role in the 2009 championship race?

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 22:00:57 -0500

Or worse, derail the season? This a bit extreme but Stillman College canceled its home football opener against Clark Atlanta because 37 players had symptoms of swine flu.

For the record, if you have flu like symtoms, it's swine flu. That is the only flu going around right now, and seasonal flu is still a couple months away.

Flu or flu-like symptoms have hit programs at Tulane, Duke, Alabama, Louisiana Tech, South Florida, SMU, LSU, Florida, Georgia, Washington State and Wisconsin. Arkansas, the only NCAA team with a porcine nickname, remains ironically immune.
One of the hardest-hit programs is at Mississippi, where nearly two dozen players have been diagnosed with some stage of the flu.

Fresno State is taking precautionary measures to come back home with a win, not the swine flu. That said, the flu shots available now are for the seasonal flu. Shots for the Swine flu will not be available for another month.

Fresno State plays Boise State next week, so a transfer of swine flu could not come at a worse time in their season.
It is likely that every program will fight a bout of flu at some point this season, and once its done it should be done. The question will be who gets hit during the most critical games?

So far no games have been canceled this week, a trend we all hope will continue.

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