Hardly a rivalry anymore . . .

Yours truly remembers a time, not so long ago, when we Gator fans had to chew our nails a bit when we had to play Coach Cornpone and crew.

Not so much these days.

Don't get me wrong, the Gators played well in the Swamp this fine November evening, ripping off a season-high average of 9.25 yards per play--nearly as much as the Tennessee and South Carolina games COMBINED!

But, it wasn't anything spectacular.

In fact, Coach Meyer's play calls were pretty vanilla.

It was the pathetic game plan on the other side of the gridiron that contributed most to the Gator numbers.

I mean, really. Opting for the field goal when you're on the 2-yard line and trailing your "rival" by 30 points?!?!

Bobby Bowden has clearly lost his mojo. And, he should lose his job, too.

There was indeed one legend in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium tonight: Tim Tebow. It sent chills up many a spine to watch all the flash bulbs going off in the endzone in anticipation of his last play before the home crowd . . . like fireworks.

Until FSU gets back on track, and that could be years, the guys in orange and blue need to seriously consider finding a new "rival."

In fact, given the last coupla seasons, perhaps 'Bama should fill those shoes. Next week's SEC championship game up in Atlanta will be the true measure of our team this year.

In the mean time, "IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!"

Coach Corn Pone's latest ramblings

So, the sweaty dinosaur ye socks see lumbering up and down the sidelines at FSU football games has once again found himself unwittingly at the center of a debate in this little corner of heaven.

Who's better: Tim Tebow, or Charlie Ward?

Please.

Eventually, the records of the two athletes will stand side-by-side and a true comparison may be made.

But, the last time I checked, Ward was working as an assistant coach at some private high school out in Texas. And, Tebow was still racking up his stats.

The day will come when that question can be discussed intelligently. But, it's not here, yet.

The day has come, however, for some people to retire. It's starting to get more than a little embarassing . . .

Disappointing bowling day

No, I wasn't engaging in the ten-pin type of bowling.

The big doin's in this little corner of heaven centered on the Champs Sports Bowl, formerly known the Tangerine Bowl.

It's usually a real yawner. The lone exception in my rusty recollection was a couple of years ago when Texas Tech thrashed Clemson.

This year, I was hoping the Wisconsin Badgers would do the same to that unmentionable former all-girls school in our state capitol.

That didn't happen, and I didn't stick around to see the end. All the limp-wristed karate chopping was making me ill . . .

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.

Just another day at the flea market

Yep, that's all that was on the agenda today. No college football worth staying home to watch since the Gators had a bye week and the Noles already got beaten on Thursday.

Well, the Tech v A&M game WOULD have been worth watching, but they're broadcasting it on ESPN-U . . . like that's a real channel. So, I'll have better luck finding an article about it in the paper tomorrow . . .

Anyway, Valda and Howard are struggling to fill their new 4,200 square foot mansion with the proper decor, so a trip up to Renniger's Flea Market in Mount Dora was arranged.

The weather co-operated fully. But, we still only found ONE of the items on our list.

I did manage to pick up quite a few things that were NOT on the list, including a pound of the sugar-coated blackberry/raspberry mix at my favorite candy vendor's booth.

For you socks who do not frequent flea markets, you have got to go at least once a year. It is definitely a unique subculture. And, it's ALMOST as entertaining as a college football game.

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.