<p>Football season is coming...FSU should be a bit better overall this year, but they will play one of the most difficult schedules of all.</p>
<p>The obvious top games:</p>
<ol>
<li>FSU vs U Miami</li>
<li>FSU vs UF </li>
</ol>
<p>Rivalries that could be good - if they'd only schedule the games:</p>
<ol>
<li>UF vs U Miami (Gators are obviously chicken; even with Miami in the midst of rebuilding)</li>
<li>UCF vs USF (a real natural rivalry, why not play the game every year?)</li>
</ol>
<p>Careful there p2n. With baseless jabs like that against the reigning SEC and national champs, you might make me root for the 'canes this year in your “key matchup”…and I don’t want to go there!</p>
<p>Yeah after winning the National Championship 2 of the last 3 years Florida is sooo scared.</p>
<p>"4. UCF vs USF (a real natural rivalry, why not play the game every year?) "</p>
<p>USF is “chicken”. Last year, UCF (the worst offense in NCAA Div IA) took them into overtime.</p>
<p>Recent Gator success does not change the historic “shyness” UF has in playing Miami every year. Strategic shyness, indeed.</p>
<p>Wait - I know…Charleston Southern would be terribly upset if they were to cede their spot to Miami.</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>btw, Rogracer…I can see why you’re rooting for the [Jort-wearing</a> FL Gaiters](<a href=“http://www.gatorswearjeanshorts.net/blog/labels/jean%20shorts.html]Jort-wearing”>http://www.gatorswearjeanshorts.net/blog/labels/jean%20shorts.html) instead of the [MIT</a> Beavers](<a href=“http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2000/beaver-0510.html]MIT”>http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2000/beaver-0510.html).</p>
<p>:D</p>
<p>Your taunting won’t work. The Gators will be quite happy making their statement on the field. And leave by Beavers alone!</p>
<p>This isn’t a slight to UCF football, but USF has played UCF 4 times and beat UCF 4 times. USF is looking to instead play more BCS teams. USF has nothing to gain by playing UCF now. If USF plays UCF and wins, it is expected. If UCF plays and upsets USF, it would unnecessarily hurt USF’s rankings and recruiting. It is an unnecessary risk for USF scheduling UCF. I’m not saying UCF and USF might begin playing again, as the series of past games was extremely popular. Economic reasons might eventually revive the popular UCF/USF games that packed stadiums in Orlando and Tampa.</p>
<p>USF is developing other rivalries by scheduling, out of its Big East conference, games like:
2009: Miami and FSU
2010: Florida and Miami
2011: Miami and Notre Dame
2012: FSU and Miami
2015: Florida</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Sorry, this is simply too precious. :)</p>
<p>Lizard, Why would FSU, Miami or UF want to play USF? They have everything to lose and nothing to gain by scheduling USF.</p>
<p>Money gained by scheduling nearby USF is one reason. USF obviously has a lot to gain with these games.</p>
<p>[Financial</a> considerations prompt Florida State Seminoles to agree to face South Florida Bulls in home-and-home football series - St. Petersburg Times](<a href=“http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article969819.ece]Financial”>http://www.tampabay.com/sports/college/article969819.ece)</p>
<p>Wouldn’t the same logic apply to playing UCF every year? Aren’t sports supposed to be an exercise in sportsmanship, school spirit plus just plain entertainment? Not to mention the raising of funds…</p>
<p>Lets use a syllogism.</p>
<p>Florida crushed Florida State last year in Tallahassee.</p>
<p>Florida State beat Miami last year. </p>
<p>Thus, Florida would beat Miami.</p>
<p>^Funny, but that doesn’t apply. A team has to prove its mettle every game. Ask Michigan, for a recent example.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Ummm . . . Florida beat Miami last year - 26 to 3. </p>
<p>Back in the olden days (80’s) UF used to play Miami as our opening game every year. Not sure why we dropped them from our regular schedule, but we played them last year on September 6th. </p>
<p>I’ve been watching Gator football for many (30+) years. We come/we go. FSU comes/FSU goes. Miami comes/Miami goes. It’s all cyclical. Of course, I remember when Jimmy Johnson was coach (mid- to late-80’s), and Miami put Florida in its place. Same with FSU during their run. Frankly, UCF and USF just aren’t the same caliber as UF, but USF is working its way up. </p>
<p>I admit that UF has a weak schedule this year. Not sure what’s up with that. It’s a shame. Of course Urban played Tebow for only part of most games last year. Protecting him? Letting John Brantley get experience? Not wanting to run up the score? Worried with this year’s weak schedule we are only going to get a glimpse of Tebow during each game. Even with all of that - UF should beat FSU again this year. Sorry p2n - just don’t think it’s FSU’s year this year. Papa Bowden is getting old - may be time for him to step aside.</p>
<p>All kidding aside, UF has a great team with Tebow at quarterback. Tebow is a great player and an inspiring leader. I doubt FSU will win, but FSU will be more competitive this year than last. You just never know. </p>
<p>Bowden is really no longer in moment-to-moment command, head coach-in-waiting Jimbo Fisher now calls most shots. Bowden will likely retire from the head coach position by next year. He may remain head coach emeritus but my guess is that would be it.</p>
<p>I agree on the cyclical nature of the sport.</p>
<p>Yeah, it’s hard to see Bowden fading out. Our house always cheers for FSU when they are not playing the Gators. (Too many family members went to FSU for us to diss the 'Noles.) Actually, this is true for all Florida teams and the SEC. As long as you aren’t playing us, we’re your friends. </p>
<p>I’ve heard only good things about Bobby Bowden. Long story short, a friend of mine met Bowden when he (my friend) was a little kid. Bowden was as nice as could be to him, and, to this day, he thinks Bowden is a great guy. College football will lose a true champion when Bowden finally retires.</p>
<p>Same here with family members…my father was a UF grad as well as others in the family. In Florida, this seems common with families that have been around a while.</p>
<p>Bowden is a great coach, one of the best of all time. No person is greater than the university however. Had Bobby been kept a little hungry he’d have been fine, I’d guess. The nature of the profession I suppose.</p>
<p>The funny thing about UF’s rivalries: No matter which team is having a good year, it’s always a crap shoot as to who’s going to win. I’ve seen upsets all around: UF vs Georgia/UF vs FSU/and in the old days, UF vs UM. The only season I was sure we were going to win was last year. The Gators were just a superb team. Don’t know what’s going to happen with Dan Mullens gone.</p>
<p>This thread is useless until Nov 22th.</p>
<p>Not really, it’s not all about UF. The UCF/USF game could be very exciting for those schools. They should play. Both will get better over time.</p>