Gators (9-0) school Vandy, 27-3

Ok, so maybe it wasn't quite the Romp in the Swamp that a lot of the Orange and Blue faithful were expecting out of this match-up.

But, at least it was a welcome distraction from all the disturbing news headlines.

The biggest news in Gator Nation occurred hundreds of miles away from Gainesville, though.

Alabama defeated LSU to clinch the SEC's western division.

That's right, Gator fans, we're gonna have to face The Tide in Atlanta once again.

The prospect has me shuddering . . . just a little.

And, that's probably because today's play at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium seemed so uninspired.

Steve Addazio's offense allowed Tim Tebow to get sacked no fewer than four times. Meanwhile, Charlie Strong's defense managed exactly ZERO in that category. Let's hope Urban Meyer can get them to flip those stats when we go up against The Evil Genius next week . . .

Sidebar: congrats to ye Northwestern, Navy, and Clemson fans out there in the blogosphere. You know who you are. I'll bet you all wished you had the same things to fret about at 9-0! XP

Orange and Blue!

Turmoil in Tampa

Condolences go out this morning to my brother-in-law Keith.

His beloved Clemson Tigers got their collective hats handed to them at the St. Pete Times Forum down in Tampa last night.

And, by #12 seed Villanova.

Wow.

I actually tried to watch the game for his sake, but pooped out at half time. It seemed a safe thing to do. The Tigers' full court press really had Villanova on its heels. They had them down by 18 at one point, and by 12 at the half.

But, apparently, the Wildcats owned the second half. The final score in today's paper says they won 75-69.

Ouch.

I guess Keith is going to have to concentrate on that Zoo Poo we discussed yesterday instead of all the basketball he had planned on following during March madness . . .

Last full day in Mount Pleasant

And, it was a good one.

Not only was it Mom's birthday, we celebrated it by skipping cake in favor of a big steak dinner! I guess, you have to take you calories where you can get them after Thanksgiving . . . Actually, my brother-in-law and I were hoping for a big old rack of ribs, but Publix up here apparently doesn't carry such delicacies. So, he'll have to wait til his next trip to Florida for an education in Cracker grillology.

Of course, it wouldn't be a fall Saturday in the South without some college football. I was actually more than a little irritated by the quadruple overtime in the Tennessee-Kentucky game, because it delayed coverage of the annual Gator romp over the 'Noles. By the time they switched to The Swamp, it was already the second quarter and I missed Tebow's first big touchdown run.

The South Carolina-Clemson game was actually the most exciting game of the afternoon, and not just for the opportunity to watch The Evil Genius stalking the Gamecock sidelines. It was a real nail-biter, went down to the wire. Fortunately, it turned out the way Keith wanted it, so he can hold his head high in church tomorrow.

All in all, a good day. Kinda dreading the drive home tomorrow. But, all this makes all that worth it.

How 'bout them Red Raiders?!

Judging by their performance at Jones Stadium this evening, I can only assume the O in Oklahoma stands for "over-rated."

Mike Leach and his motley crew from Lubbock really put the hurting on "the #4 team in the nation."

But, then again, they did have The Donald on their side, so failure was not an option for Texas Tech.

And, with the deadly combination of Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, the Sooners really never stood a chance, did they?!

Oh, yeah, and the Gators won, too. So, all in all a good day for college football . . . unless, of course, you're a Clemson fan. (Sorry, Keith, but there's always next year!!)

My 2nd favorite team won their season opener!

If, like me, you were unable to stay up to watch the carnage in Death Valley last night, you missed a great Nole drubbing.

And, no, the Clemson Tigers are not my new 2nd favorite team. That illustrious distinction changes every week of football season, depending on who FSU is playing.

I do have to salute Junior for beating Daddy this week, a great way to start the season. My only criticism is that he could have at least done what Wake Forest did last year and handed that lumbering dinosaur a shut-out.

Nevertheless, last night's performance should push the Tigers into the AP-25. (Not to mention, drop the Noles out of it!) So, congrats (and thanks) to all the Clemson fans out there in the blogosphere, especially my brother-in-law Keith.