Much to be thankful for, Gator Nation!
I put very little emphasis on streaks, but quite frankly we’ve received much as Gator fans in the last four years to be thankful for…of course, as Gator fans go we always want more. Enter FSU. Our 2006 recruiting class is set for its final game in the Swamp…and it’s against a hated rival, who has lost its luster to the rest of the nation, but we as Gators still desire to give them a beatdown. This senior class (which has received more attention than any other in recent NCAA football history) has to be energized for this game. I’m sure FSU would have liked to play this game earlier in the year. Let’s talk some football…
Florida State’s defense is not very good at all. They rank 106th in the nation and probably will not improve on that status this week. They give up over 400 yards a game…and to make matters worse their top QB, Christian Ponder, is out for the year with a shoulder injury. It’s enough to make one sympathetic….I suppose if you were another team. Here’s what it boils down to for FSU, if they win it goes down as one of the greatest upsets in Seminole history, saves their season and gives them momentum heading into their bowl game. It’s purely the cure for their woes this season. Now, executing that strategy may be a bit harder. EJ Manuel is the back up QB and has a 4 to 1 interception to TD ration (that’s not a good thing), but they did win their last game against Maryland to make themselves bowl eligible. We can’t overlook this game either because they do have some of the better athletes in the south. Also, they don’t like us as much as we don’t like them. Somehow a rivalry like this brings out the best in a team. This will be a good game for our seniors’ last home game. You always need a great motivator like this. A hated rival. Your last game at home. Time to put it all on the line. Florida State really wishes they had scheduled this game earlier.
I don’t like repeating themes, but this is similar to the Florida-Georgia game. What more do you need to know than it’s Florida State week? While it hasn’t been too competitive lately, it still is meaningful to all involved. We don’t EVER want to lose to FSU and FSU doesn’t EVER want to lose to us. Our seniors this year get to play FSU in their last game of the Swamp. If you’re like me you can’t wait to see this game. Everyone is going to come out fired up and ready to lay a slobberknocker on the Seminoles. You know you want to see this too. You want Tebow and company to have a huge offensive day and then you want to see our defense totally shut down or shut out their offense. Heck, we’re even putting on shiny new uniforms for the game (which I’m not a fan of, but….whatever). I’m just looking forward to watching this team play the few remaining games they have. This is a very talented team that is playing it’s last home game, so enjoy it for all that it is worth. The fact that it is against FSU makes it even better. You may even get a Brandon James kickoff return for a TD or a Joe Haden interception for a TD or a Janoris Jenkins interception for a TD or all three. Wishful thinking I know, but I’m ok with that. I will say that I would love to see our defense shut out FSU. A nice little treat for us this Thanksgiving weekend, but a win is a win regardless. Florida 35 Florida State 9. Game time is 3:30pm EDT, 12:30pm PDT on CBS. I’m very sure they have quite a bit of Tebow highlights planned, but I’m counting on a few more in the game to add to the mix. What better reason do you need to join your local Gator Club where a Victory over the Florida State Seminoles (six straight if you’re counting) is best served with Gators! ‘Nuff said.
Go Gators!
Patrick Hayden
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