Gators 29, MSU Bulldogs 19

It's becoming a Sunday morning tradition around this little corner of heaven, dismissing Florida's lackluster performance with the mantra "a win is a win."

There is some reassurance in all of it, of course. The boys in orange and blue have indeed improved to 7-0; stretched their winning streak to 17; ended the 24-year "Starkville Curse"; schooled their former offensive coordinator; and put their Heisman-winning QB on level with the legendary Herschel Walker's rushing TD record.

But, all that didn't make last night's victory over Mississippi State pretty.

In fact, the most exciting player to watch was the Bulldogs' freshman safety Johnthan Banks (#13) who intercepted Superman not once but twice, and ran both picks back for TD's of his own.

The pack of bulldogs that will attempt to ruin the largest outdoor cocktail party in the world next week will be of a more rabid variety than those who tussled with the Gators this go 'round. Let's hope the excuse-making is over.