Gators a Victim of their Own Success?

There has been a lot of gnashing of teeth and pulling of hair in recent weeks about the play of the Florida Gators. I’m as guilty as anyone. I’ve thrown some things at the TV after every red zone miscue. I know we can play better. But let’s stop and look around for a minute. The Gators can clinch the SEC East this Saturday with a win over Georgia and a Tennessee win over South Carolina. This is with still two games left! I know we all pooh-pooh winning the East.

We’re supposed to do that, right? Well, yes. But let’s stop and think a bout this for a second. This is the 18^th year the SEC has been split into two divisions. So that is up until this year 17 SEC Championship Games which means 34 participants. Ole Miss, Vanderbilt, Kentucky and South Carolina have never been. That’s one third of the conference that has NOT ONCE been to the big game. Mississippi State has been one time. Arkansas has been twice. All of them resulting in losses. Half of the teams in the SEC have not won the big game.

So who’s been winning them then? Auburn has won one time. In 2004. That’s it. 1 for 17. Tennessee has won twice. They won in 1997 and 1998. And that’s it. Auburn has played in three of them and UT five. LSU has won three times out of four trips. Georgia has two wins in three trips. To all of these schools, winning their division and getting to Atlanta is still a big deal. Why? Because it doesn’t happen all that often. Entire classes at these schools come and go without ever going once.

Now let’s look at Alabama and Florida. Alabama has made six trips to the championship game. They have two wins. That’s a record only slightly better than Tennessee. You think of Bama as being a school that doesn’t get too excited about winning the West? I’m not so sure. Why is their record so poor? One reason. Florida. They have played the Gators ALL SIX times they’ve been. They are 2-4. Florida has not only been to those six and won four, but also three others. Both of Arkansas’ visits resulted in losing to UF. And so did one of Auburn’s.

That’s nine times in 17 years folks. Over half of the 17 SEC title games have had UF in them. So while we yawn at our 7-0 record and clinching yet another trip to Atlanta, think about how Kentucky would feel to have our team. Or Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, MSU, or anybody else not named Alabama. Those other schools would be absolutely giddy right now. Remember WHY it’s Great to be a Florida Gator.

Who’s Motivated? Don’t be Shy…

Motivation. I’ve written about it before. I can’t tell you how many times I have read an article about the Florida Gators and motivation. Apparently the only way the Gators can get up for a game is if they are motivated by someone out there saying Florida can’t win. So every week, more stories come out about Florida’s opponent not respecting them.

University of XYZ doesn’t think the Gators are all that special. Coach ABC likes his chances against Florida. Player 123 was talking trash about Tebow, or the running game, or the defense.  Brandon Spikes is motivated to step up and play better when the offensive side of the ball is struggling.

Is there a chance these kids don’t need all this bulletin board propaganda to go out and win? You are talking about the best football players from around the country, all successful at the high school level, coming to play in the best conference – the SEC.  I would think most of them have an idea of what it takes to win, without being told that someone doesn’t think they can.

But don’t worry Gator fans, because this week’s motivation is the AP Poll. Apparently Alabama jumping Florida in the latest AP Poll is supposed to give Tim Tebow some extra pep in his step. Never mind the fact that Florida is ranked first in the BCS standings and that the AP isn’t even a relevant poll when determining who plays for a national championship.

Perhaps Gator players want to go out and win, for the sake of winning? I am pretty sure they know the consequences of not showing up for a game, especially after the near loss to Arkansas Saturday.

If all this motivation stuff truly works, the Gators better be ready for their next game against Mississippi State. Former offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen, will try to beat his old team and throw a wrinkle in the BCS standings. You better believe Mullen’s players will have all the MOTIVATION in the world to get a win for their coach.

Maybe Florida players can take motivation from their opponent’s motivation, who will be motivated to win by Mullen’s motivation to beat the Gators? Confused yet? The confusion has motivated me to stop writing now.

Next Three Games Can Be Special for Tebow

Tim Tebow has a chance to make a statistical statement over the next three games. The Gators will be facing the three worst defenses in the SEC when the match up against Arkansas, Mississippi State and Georgia. If there was ever a time where Tebow could put up some touchdowns, it’s right now.

Tebow is already just one touchdown run away from tying Herschel Walkers SEC record for career rushing touchdowns. Breaking the record will add another line to his already impressive football resume and will most certainly boost his Heisman chances.

But it’s time the wide receivers and Tebow get on the same page. No more dropped passes.  Riley Cooper and Aaron Hernandez have shown glimpses of greatness, but we still wait to see who will emerge as the go-to receiver.

Throwing the ball has always been the knock on Tebow throughout his career. He’s too slow in getting the ball off. He’s doesn’t throw an accurate ball. For Tebow, if he wants his second Heisman Tropy, he’ll have to prove his critics wrong again. Start connecting on your pass plays and the Heisman speculation can end.

Remember, it’s about the best college football player – not the best quarterback. Tim Tebow exemplifies what the Heisman Trophy represents. He will go down as one of the greatest college football players of all time. Tebow should embrace these next three games and put the speculation to rest.

Les Miles Not Happy with SEC Officials

We thought LSU week was over when Florida boarded the buses and left Tiger stadium with a 13-3 win. Les Miles, however, is still thinking about one play from last week – Tim Tebow’s 24-yard touchdown pass to Riley Cooper.

Miles sent the videotape of that play to the SEC this week for review, telling reporters, “Yeah, we sent that in. I’m savoring the opportunity to call in there.”

So Miles is angry that the officials missed the jersey tug? Apparently the LSU coaching staff missed it as well. Cornerback Chris Hawkins was benched for the rest of the game after giving up the touchdown to Cooper.

“What we saw from the sideline, we did not see,” Miles told the AP. “He just got yanked on, and there are no corners that I know that sustain that and don’t give up position on the ball.”

The call was clearly blown, as CBS showed the replay over and over – Cooper grabbed the jersey. Gators fans thought it was smart, while Tiger fans are thinking the game could have turned out differently.

Take away the touchdown and Florida may end up kicking another field goal. Say they don’t score. Nothing LSU was doing indicated they would march down the field and ever score again.

Bottom line…the defense of Florida was the real difference maker on Saturday night. Brandon Spikes and the rest of the defense shut down LSU for all four quarters.

Miles still thinks LSU could win the game, if the two should meet up down the road in the SEC Championship.

“The thing that we have to see is that adjustments have to be made certainly, and our team plays a little bit better,” he said. “If we do what we’re capable, it’d be just wonderful to see that team again.”

I have news for you Mr. Miles. If the Gators do what they’re capable of doing, and have a truly healthy Tim Tebow, seeing that Gator team in Atlanta would be more of a nightmare than anything you could imagine as “wonderful.”

Striving for that Perfect Season

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Undefeated. Perfection. 12-0. Call it what you want, but know that it has been the goal of Tim Tebow and Brandon Spikes entering this season. Meyer turned down the dial on such talk, but it’s the largest elephant in the room that no one is talking about. You’ll hear the company line, “Our goal is to make it to Atlanta and play for an SEC Championship.”

At a time where the SEC is widely considered the best conference in football, the goal of winning an SEC Championship ultimately means you’ll probably get a shot at the National Championship as well. Alabama or Florida could lose a game late, win the SEC Championship, and still make it into the Rose Bowl. You have Florida and LSU to thank for that. The SEC, having won the last three BCS Championships, has all but guaranteed a one-loss SEC team making it into the game over one-loss teams from weaker conferences.

So do you think Tebow and Spikes would be disappointed if they lost a regular season game, but still played for a National Championship? I actually think they would. Tebow and Spikes have been there before and won it all. They have accomplished most everything a college player could ask for…except that perfect season.

You know Tebow is a man of his word. How could he not be after the way the team performed following the infamous “Promise” speech? I can’t bet against Tebow until he’s been proven wrong and you shouldn’t either. But if Tebow doesn’t end up playing much Saturday against LSU, he’ll have to rely on Spikes and the rest of his team to keep that goal alive. Something tells me Spikes is just as driven. Should make for an interesting night in Baton Rouge.

SEC Announces Sites For Men’s & Women’s Basketball Tournaments

The Southeastern Conference has awarded sites for the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournaments (2013 and 2014) and SEC Women’s Basketball Tournaments (2010-2014), Commissioner Mike Slive announced today.

The Sommet Center in Nashville, Tenn. will host the 2011 and 2012 women’s tournament and the 2013 men’s tournament.  The 2010, 2013 and 2014 women’s tournament will be held at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in Duluth, Ga. while the Georgia Dome in Atlanta will host the 2014 men’s tournament.

Courtesy of GatorZone