Perry Perspective: NCAA Football Feature Nov. 10
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Spurrier and the Gamecocks welcome the Gators
It may not be the most important game of the week, but it?s probably the most intriguing.
On Saturday, two of the highest profile coaches in college football will be going t?te-?-t?te when No. 12 Florida visits Columbia, South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks (12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN GamePlan).
For the Gamecocks, coach Steve Spurrier will be facing his old team for the first time since returning to the college ranks after an unsuccessful stint in the NFL as coach of the Washington Redskins.
Spurrier spent 12 seasons commanding the Gators and was one of the most celebrated coaches in the school?s history. Under Spurrier, Florida dominated the SEC winning six conference titles and a National Championship in 1997.
Between 1990 and 2001, Spurrier compiled an unmatched conference record of 87-14 and was named SEC Coach of the Year five times.
When Spurrier left Florida for the NFL in 2002, he was replaced by Ron Zook. But Spurrier left behind a legacy of high expectations and thin patience in the Gator Nation.
As a result, Zook lasted only three seasons at the helm despite a respectable record of 23-14 overall (16-8 in the SEC) and three consecutive bowl appearances.
Zook was effectively fired last October, with four games left on the schedule. However, he agreed to stay on and coach for the remainder of the season.
During that time, Florida scouted for a new coach and eventually poached Urban Meyer from the Utah Utes.
Meyer was at Utah for two years leading them to a 22-2 record and two straight Mountain West Conference titles. Last season under Meyer, the Utes were 12-0 and won the Fiesta Bowl.
Their appearance in the Fiesta marked the first time a team from outside the six BCS conferences played in a Bowl Championship Series game.
Prior to the game, Meyer, who had only coached four seasons at the college level, signed a seven-year, $14 million contact with the Gators.
Interestingly, Meyer turned down an offer to take over head coaching duties at Notre Dame. That job subsequently went to Charlie Weis, the New England Patriots? offensive coordinator.
Weis has been getting a lot of praise this season and is a leading candidate for coach of the year honors even though his record of 6-2 is not significantly better than Meyer?s.
Meyer has led the Gators to an overall record of 7-2 straight up (SU), 4-4-1 against the spread (ATS). Their conference record of 5-2 puts them in second behind Georgia in the SEC East.
But such a winning record is expected in Gainesville, whereas Weis has a lot more room for improvement in South Bend, where the Irish were a mediocre 11-13 the past two seasons under Ty Willingham.
Meyer arguably faces his toughest challenge this Saturday against the Gamecocks, who are surging at 6-3 SU (5-3-1 ATS) and have won four straight, including wins over Tennessee and Arkansas.
The Gamecocks, who were 6-5 last season, are on the verge of earning a Top 25 ranking. The Gators, meanwhile, needed overtime to beat lowly Vanderbilt last weekend.
To lose to South Carolina would be a huge blow to Meyer?s rookie coaching campaign. The Gators have beaten the Gamecocks 14 straight times and hold a commanding 19-3-3 all-time series lead.
It would be especially tough losing to Florida?s old coaching hero, who is getting paid significantly less than Meyer - Spurrier signed a seven-year deal with South Carolina worth $8.75 million plus incentives.
We currently have Florida listed as a 3.5-point favorite to beat the hometown Gamecocks. That is by far the lowest the Gators have been favored by in their last nine meetings with South Carolina.
Last year, Florida pounded the Gamecocks 48-14 as 7-point home favorites.
Behind the arm of QB Chris Leak, Florida has the No. 3 ranked offense in the SEC (28.4 ppg). However, the Gators are only 2-7 on the OVER/UNDER; the Gamecocks are 5-4.
The total in this game has been pegged at a modest 46 points.
Other notable games:
No. 5 LSU at No. 4 Alabama, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
In another SEC showdown, LSU (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) will visit Alabama to face the unbeaten Crimson Tide (9-0 SU, 3-5-1 ATS). We have LSU listed as a 3-point road favorite and the total set at a low 37.
Alabama has the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation allowing just 8.2 ppg. LSU is not far behind at No. 6 allowing just under 14 ppg.
If the Tigers can beat the Tide, Texas and USC would likely be the only two unbeaten teams remaining in college football ? both Texas and USC have weak opponents on Saturday.
No. 15 Auburn at No. 9 Georgia, 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
A third SEC tilt will see Georgia (7-1 SU, 3-5 ATS) host Auburn (7-2 SU, 6-2 ATS). Georgia is currently favored at -3 and the total is listed at 41.5.
The Bulldogs beat Auburn 26-7 the last time they hosted the Tigers. However, prior to that, the Tigers won four straight times in Athens.
The Tigers feature the No. 1 ranked offense in the SEC (35.2 ppg) and the No. 2 ranked defense (12.7 ppg). The Bulldogs? ?D? ranks No. 3 (13.8 ppg).
from
BetWWTS.com
Spurrier and the Gamecocks welcome the Gators
It may not be the most important game of the week, but it?s probably the most intriguing.
On Saturday, two of the highest profile coaches in college football will be going t?te-?-t?te when No. 12 Florida visits Columbia, South Carolina to take on the Gamecocks (12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN GamePlan).
For the Gamecocks, coach Steve Spurrier will be facing his old team for the first time since returning to the college ranks after an unsuccessful stint in the NFL as coach of the Washington Redskins.
Spurrier spent 12 seasons commanding the Gators and was one of the most celebrated coaches in the school?s history. Under Spurrier, Florida dominated the SEC winning six conference titles and a National Championship in 1997.
Between 1990 and 2001, Spurrier compiled an unmatched conference record of 87-14 and was named SEC Coach of the Year five times.
When Spurrier left Florida for the NFL in 2002, he was replaced by Ron Zook. But Spurrier left behind a legacy of high expectations and thin patience in the Gator Nation.
As a result, Zook lasted only three seasons at the helm despite a respectable record of 23-14 overall (16-8 in the SEC) and three consecutive bowl appearances.
Zook was effectively fired last October, with four games left on the schedule. However, he agreed to stay on and coach for the remainder of the season.
During that time, Florida scouted for a new coach and eventually poached Urban Meyer from the Utah Utes.
Meyer was at Utah for two years leading them to a 22-2 record and two straight Mountain West Conference titles. Last season under Meyer, the Utes were 12-0 and won the Fiesta Bowl.
Their appearance in the Fiesta marked the first time a team from outside the six BCS conferences played in a Bowl Championship Series game.
Prior to the game, Meyer, who had only coached four seasons at the college level, signed a seven-year, $14 million contact with the Gators.
Interestingly, Meyer turned down an offer to take over head coaching duties at Notre Dame. That job subsequently went to Charlie Weis, the New England Patriots? offensive coordinator.
Weis has been getting a lot of praise this season and is a leading candidate for coach of the year honors even though his record of 6-2 is not significantly better than Meyer?s.
Meyer has led the Gators to an overall record of 7-2 straight up (SU), 4-4-1 against the spread (ATS). Their conference record of 5-2 puts them in second behind Georgia in the SEC East.
But such a winning record is expected in Gainesville, whereas Weis has a lot more room for improvement in South Bend, where the Irish were a mediocre 11-13 the past two seasons under Ty Willingham.
Meyer arguably faces his toughest challenge this Saturday against the Gamecocks, who are surging at 6-3 SU (5-3-1 ATS) and have won four straight, including wins over Tennessee and Arkansas.
The Gamecocks, who were 6-5 last season, are on the verge of earning a Top 25 ranking. The Gators, meanwhile, needed overtime to beat lowly Vanderbilt last weekend.
To lose to South Carolina would be a huge blow to Meyer?s rookie coaching campaign. The Gators have beaten the Gamecocks 14 straight times and hold a commanding 19-3-3 all-time series lead.
It would be especially tough losing to Florida?s old coaching hero, who is getting paid significantly less than Meyer - Spurrier signed a seven-year deal with South Carolina worth $8.75 million plus incentives.
We currently have Florida listed as a 3.5-point favorite to beat the hometown Gamecocks. That is by far the lowest the Gators have been favored by in their last nine meetings with South Carolina.
Last year, Florida pounded the Gamecocks 48-14 as 7-point home favorites.
Behind the arm of QB Chris Leak, Florida has the No. 3 ranked offense in the SEC (28.4 ppg). However, the Gators are only 2-7 on the OVER/UNDER; the Gamecocks are 5-4.
The total in this game has been pegged at a modest 46 points.
Other notable games:
No. 5 LSU at No. 4 Alabama, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
In another SEC showdown, LSU (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS) will visit Alabama to face the unbeaten Crimson Tide (9-0 SU, 3-5-1 ATS). We have LSU listed as a 3-point road favorite and the total set at a low 37.
Alabama has the No. 1 ranked defense in the nation allowing just 8.2 ppg. LSU is not far behind at No. 6 allowing just under 14 ppg.
If the Tigers can beat the Tide, Texas and USC would likely be the only two unbeaten teams remaining in college football ? both Texas and USC have weak opponents on Saturday.
No. 15 Auburn at No. 9 Georgia, 7:45 p.m. ET, ESPN
A third SEC tilt will see Georgia (7-1 SU, 3-5 ATS) host Auburn (7-2 SU, 6-2 ATS). Georgia is currently favored at -3 and the total is listed at 41.5.
The Bulldogs beat Auburn 26-7 the last time they hosted the Tigers. However, prior to that, the Tigers won four straight times in Athens.
The Tigers feature the No. 1 ranked offense in the SEC (35.2 ppg) and the No. 2 ranked defense (12.7 ppg). The Bulldogs? ?D? ranks No. 3 (13.8 ppg).
