Go Magic!

I know, I know. The rest of ye socks are focusing on the World Series and your favorite college football team.

In this little corner of heaven, today marks the beginning of the NBA regular season.

And, for the Orlando Magic that includes kicking things off in style at their new arena downtown.

Yours truly will be there in spirit, but still prefers the comfort and convenience of ye olde couch.

Go Magic!

The Blind Side

Yours truly just finished watching the blockbuster hit movie by that name, courtesy of our friends at Netflix.

The biopic is based on the true-life story of NFL great Michael Oher, who was adopted by the Tuohy family of Memphis, Tennessee.

To be sure, this is a feel-good film. It should be, given the source material and the great cast. The latter includes Quinton Aaron as Oher, Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw as his adoptive parents, and Kathy Bates as his tutor. (It also features cameo appearances by a host of current and former SEC coaches who shall remain nameless here, because none has as yet coached at THE University of Florida.)

But, after watching it, I was not nearly as impressed with Bullock's performance as the Academy was when it awarded her with an Oscar. As a Southerner, I just didn't buy her character's accent. (It wasn't nearly as convincing as Meryl Streep's contemporary conjuring of Julia Child's regional inflections.)

Bottom line: suitable for family movie night, but a little overblown.

Missing the NFL already . . .

So, I'm mapping out this fine Sunday morning in our little corner of heaven.

Steaming cup of hot coffee?

Check.

Big fat newspaper?

Check.

Charles Osgood on the TV?

Check.

Still, something seems missing . . . .

Oh, yeah. No football.

And, there won't be any for way too long . . .

Hmmmmphhh!

Brees v Manning

A lot of statisticians have been flinging comparative numbers about these last few weeks, in anticipation of the "Big Game" to be played down in Miami this evening.

Everyone is interested in seeing how New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees is going to stack up against his counterpart in Indianapolis, Peyton Manning.

Yours truly thought it would be interesting to add a genealogical twist to the conjecture. Here's what I've been able to dig up on the roots of the rival qb's in ahnentafel format, with a coupla notes:

• To find the father of any person, double their reference number. To find their mother, double their reference number and add one to the result.


• I've only traced back 5 generations. Any further, and you're on your own!


• Abbreviations: * born; + died; bur buried; = married.

DREW BREEES

1. Andrew Christopher "Drew" BREES, *15 Jan 1979, Dallas, TX; 2. Eugene Wilson BREES, Jr., *AL; 3. Mina Ruth AKINS, *12 June 1950, San Marcos, TX, +7 Aug 2009, Ganby, CO; 4. Eugene Wilson BREES, Sr., *22 July 1914, Smyrna, IN, +2 May 1994, Phoenix, AZ; 5. Betty Jo JOHNSTON; 6. Robert Ray AKINS; 7. Dorothy Virginia SCHULTZ; 8. Perry Samuel BREES, 28 March 1878, Lenawee Co, MI, +5 July 1948, Logan Co, OH, = 23 April 1902, Spencerville, OH; 9. Maude Mae DOYLE, *15 Oct 1885, Auglaize Co, OH, +31 May 1954, Liberty, IN; 10. Rollen Alexander JOHNSTON, Sr., *10 May 1893, +4 Jan 1965, Wood Co, WV, = 14 Sept 1913; 11. Mildred LeRoss HENDERSON, *18 Oct 1894, +6 Dec 1979, Wood Co, WV; 12. Lester Thomas AKINS; 13. Rosa Mae MURPHY, *16 June 1904, Burnet, TX, +26 Nov 1985, bur New Baden, TX; 14. Hans Paul SCHULTZ, Sr., *21 March 1905, +6 April 1979, bur New Baden, TX; 15. Mattie Adell THOMPSON, *11 Sept 1907, Wheelock, TX, +16 Jan 1994, bur New Baden, TX; 16. Abraham Bennett BREES, *30 Dec 1842, Lenawee Co, MI, +5 Oct 1911, Spencerville, OH, = 9 Oct 1874, Marion Co, OH; 17. Harriet WILSON, *3 July 1836, Marion Co, OH, +24 Feb 1920, Spencerville, OH; 18. Franklin Augustus DOYLE, *22 Jan 1862, Lancaster, OH, = 27 Nov 1884, Washington Co, OH; 19. Delila COIL, *2 Feb 1868, Washington Co, OH, +31 March 1887, Washington Co, OH; 20. Joseph Monroe JOHNSTON, *13 Dec 1860, = 11 Sept 1890; 21. Virginia DOTSON; 22. Littleton HENDERSON, *9 Dec 1849, +29 Jan 1929, Wood Co, WV; 23. Frances Olive SEEVERS; 26. Herbert Benton MURPHY, *1878, Burnet, TX, = 2 June 1901; 27. Lillian TRUSSELL; 28. Paul Charles SCHULTZ, Sr., *20 July 1876, Germany, +22 April 1948, bur New Baden, TX; 29. Minnie HILTBOLD, *10 Aug 1878, Switzerland, +12 March 1948, New Baden, TX; 30. Will E. THOMPSON, *4 Feb 1872, = 6 Feb 1895; 31. Catherine Ann FULLERTON.

PEYTON MANNING

1. Petyon Williams MANNING, *24 March 1976, New Orleans, LA; 2. Elisha Archibald MANNING, III, *19 May 1949, Drew, MS, = May 1971; 3. Olivia WILLIAMS, * Philadelphia, MS; 4. Elisha Archibald MANNING, Jr., *10 March 1900, +Aug 1969, Drew, MS; 5. Jane Elizabeth NELSON, *14 March 1919, +30 Dec 2000, Drew, MS; 6. Amzie Cooper WILLIAMS, *6 June 1919, +18 April 2002, Philadelphia, MS; 7. Frances THOMAS, *20 July 1920, +9 Oct 2006, Philadelphia, MS; 8. Elisha Archibald MANNING, Sr., *23 Aug 1873, MS, +1952, = 1896; 9. Annie Sophia GADDY, *1878, AL, +1944; 12. Amzie Jackson WILLIAMS, * 3 Feb 1887, MS, +16 May 1964, Philadelphia, MS, = 27 March 1916, Newshoba Co, MS; 13. Nannie Mae STRIBLING, *11 Nov 1893, MS, +19 April 1983, Philadelphia, MS; 14. John S. THOMAS, *30 Sept 1882, MS, +5 July 1941, Neshoba Co, MS; 15. Mary B. WARREN, *21 Sept 1892, MS, +19 Sept 1962; 16. Richard Elam MANNING, *10 May 1830, Marion Co, SC, +3 March 1916, Crystal Springs, MS, =1852; 17. Elizabeth Ann PEVEY, *1834, MS, +1913; 18. John GADDY, *1852, AL; 19. Jennie JOHNSON, *1858, AL; 26. Nathaniel STRIBLING, Sr.; 27. Virginia Lee LANG; 30. William Moses WARREN; 31. Clara Swan HAMILTON.

Clear my schedule!

With so much going wrong in this world, yours truly is looking forward to a little escapism this weekend.

The overarching theme is FOOTBALL.

I plan on spending a lot of time with the over-stuffed sectional, engaging in some January-style bracketology.

Here are my picks:

Colts over Ravens.

Jets over Chargers.

Saints over Cowboys. (Sorry, Steve!)

Vikings over Cardinals.

Is Leach getting lynched in Lubbock?

Some of ye socks have quite justifiably criticized yours truly for the overabundance of posts surrounding the Florida Gators this time o' year.

But, what is a frustrated Texas Tech fan to do in this little corner of heaven?

Until recently, I have had to explain to folks in this neck of the woods just exactly where TTU is. Lubbock?! Never heard of it . . .

All that began to change several years ago when a quirky, odd ball named Mike Leach took over as head coach of the football team at my alma mater.

And, unlike the crap and nonsense that's being peddled in Washington lately, Leach's brand of change has been the kind I can actually support.

He assumed command following the departure of the "legendary" Spike Dykes. Remember him? I do, and I don't think I was alone in my lack of enthusiasm for his coaching. I grant him the singular exception of a win over a Duke team coached by Steve Spurrier in the All-American Bowl before the legendary "Evil Genius" came back to Florida to christen The Swamp. But, I digress . . .

Before Mike Leach, the Red Raider "faithful" struggled to get 40,000 seats warmed in Jones Stadium during football season. Their team was on NCAA probation and, by all accounts, had a shamefully low graduation rate.

Today, more athletes are actually earning diplomas in Lubbock. Attendance at Leach-coached football games always breaks the 50,000 mark. And, his team has appeared in ten straight bowl games.

Of course, like most stories surrounding athletics at any level, this one boils down to money. Leach's outstanding performance at Tech has a lot of it flowing into the school's budget, enough to pay for an $84 million expansion if its outdated stadium to accomodate those aforementioned gowing attendance numbers.

So, it is with a great deal of sadness that I heard the news out of the Staked Plains today. Mike Leach has been suspended, and may very likely lose his job before his team takes on Michigan State in the Alamo Bowl.

The reasons given for his suspension are many and conflicting. And, at the end of the day none of them really matter, as much bigger questions will survive the explosive details: What will happen to Leach, his coaching staff, and the players? Has Tech's football revival come to an end? Will all those extra bucks have to be funneled away from expansion plans to pay legal bills?

And, more selfishly, does this mean coverage of Big 12 games way down here in SEC territory will revert to pre-Leach days?! Perish the thought!!

Salute to Urban Meyer

The Gator Nation was stunned last night by the news that our head football coach Urban Meyer will be stepping down after the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day.

He cited health concerns.

Coach Meyer has only been the top Gator for five years.

But, in that span of time, he has brought us two national championships, and a lot of other great memories.

His leadership will be sorely missed, especially as it coincides with the graduation of Tim Tebow.

Let the speculation begin as to his successor. Whoever it is will have some mighty tough shoes to fill.

Orange and Blue!

No football today?!?

I think this is the closest that yours truly has ever been to PTSD.

With the recent losses of both my beloved Gators and the Apopka Blue Darters, and given the pathetic nature of the Bucs this season, I just didn't know what I would do with all my spare time this weekend.

Forutnately, my little sister came to the rescue with this snapshot of her son's flag football game up in South Carolina.

Not quite the same as watching an SEC gridiron battle on cable TV, but I'll settle for anything at this point.

And, given the scouting reports of Junior Simmons' fierce running game, methinks Tebow's records may fall in about 15 years. Ye Noles fans should also be quaking in your collective boots!

Bama wins SEC title

There, I said it.

The Crimson Tide crushed the Gators' aspirations, not only for an illusive/elusive perfect season but also for a 3rd national championship in the last four years.

The guys from Tuscaloosa thrashed Florida, 32-13.

Next stop for them: the national championship game. They deserve to be there. And, barring the remote possibility of a rematch(?!), I hope they thoroughly trounce their opponent as a demonstration of the continuing preeminence of the Southeastern Conference in the world of college athletics.

Apopka 7, Treasure Coast 0

That score was just texted to yours truly from an excited mom who made the trip down to Port Saint Lucie to watch the Blue Darters continue their march to the state championship.

This means that next Friday that Big Blue will host Deland, who beat Winter Park tonight.

The winner of that game will be playing in the Citrus Bowl on 12/19.

Congrats to Jacob, his teammates, and coaches!

I'm hoping to make it to next week's game, and will for sure be at the championship game if . . . nay, WHEN . . . you guys make it there!

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!"

An epic gridiron battle

Well, ye socks, I'm feeling doubly guilty this fine evening.

First, because I finked out on going to tonight's big regional semifinal game between Apopka and Dr. Phillips at Bill Spoone Stadium. (It's just too cold outside for this Florida boy to be sitting on aluminum bleachers, even with all the extra Thanksgiving-induced cushioning!)

Second, because I turned off the TV coverage in the first quarter when the Blue Darters had run-up the score 21-0. I figured they had the game well in hand.

But, then I got the phone call: "Are you watching this?!?!"

What I thought was going to be a blow-out ended up being the most contentious high school football game in Florida history. And, the underdog ended up knocking off the #1 team in the state.

But only after quintuple overtime!

Wait . . . is that a word, "quintuple?" Did I spell that right?

Whatever.

Let's just say FIVE OVERTIME PERIODS!

Fortunately, the Blue Darters ended up on top, 58-52.

Congrats to #65 and his teammates, and good luck down in Port St. Lucie next week. Topple those Titans, and I'll commit to a seat at the Citrus Bowl to watch you win the state championship.

Sound like a deal?!?

Go big blue!

Florida 24, South Carolina 14

Well, ye socks, looks like the Gator Haters are out in droves, whining and crying about how a win isn't a win if it's not pretty.

Piffle.

10-0 is still 10-0, and even more impressive if the record includes going undefeated in the SEC. The fellas in orange and blue haven't done that since 1996! This is a great team, deserving of its #1 ranking.

Three highlights from this afternoon's win over the Gamecocks:

1. Riley Cooper's 68-yard TD run cut thru the host's D like a hot knife thru butter.

2. Tim Tebow's rushing TD now has him tied with Kevin Faulk for the SEC's combined scoring record. (Remember, he already beat Herschel Walker's rushing TD record.) He is well on his way to winning another Heisman.

3. Justin Trattou took the wind out of SC's sails when they were threatening to hang some more points on the board. The lumbering defensive lineman intercepted a deflected pass and racked up 53 YAC's in what proved to be the nail in Steve Spurrier's proverbial coffin.

Get ready, Gator fans. Ignore the haters. Urban and crew have something cooking that I think you're gonna like . . .

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!

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.

The Great Escape

Hats off to the Arkansas Razorbacks this evening. They really gave the boys in Orange and Blue a run for their money up at The Swamp this evening.

With just 7 seconds left on the clock, kicker Caleb Sturgis put the #1 Gators ahead 23-20, preventing the type of embarassment Mississippi State dealt them last season (much less the disaster that the guys from Little Rock dealt Auburn just last week).

This was a real nail-biter of a game, ye socks--especially if you were a Florida fan.

Coach Meyer's squad trailed by 10-3 at the half, and things were looking pretty grim.

Brandon Spikes was out after only the 2nd series with an injured hamstring. Tim Tebow was getting sacked left and right. And, the Gator O suffered fumble after fumble in the red zone.

Yours truly had to take a walk at half time to cool off, or risk serious damage to the television set.

Fortunately, the reigning national champions eventually got their collective act together.

Some will say a win is a win, even if it's ugly. Unfortunately, style points still count in some polls, and I think this lackluster performance will sway a few waivering votes toward the Crimson Tide. (Probably not enough to actually topple the Gators, though . . . )

On the other hand, our Heisman contender did pad his already outrageous resume tonight by surpassing the combined rushing/passing TD record of another Gator great: Danny Wuerffel. Tebow now can boast 123 in that stat column, just one shy of tying the all-time leading Herschel Walker. If . . . nay, WHEN . . . he racks-up 125, I don't think anyone could deny him the second Heisman trophy he so richly deserves.

Orange and Blue!

Geaux Gators!

The excitement was palpable tonight, and not just in this little corner of heaven.

As the beloved boys in Orange and Blue returned from their bye week to confront the LSU Tigers, everyone in the Gator Nation was sitting on the edge of their seats to see how our star quarterback Tim Tebow would look following his recent concussion.

We were not alone.

Some 90,000-plus obnoxious Cajuns showed up to demonstrate their collective lung capacity within the reverberating confines of Death Valley.

If the Nielsen's are accurate, some 10 million more were glued to their boob-tubes to catch the CBS broadcast.

Truth be told, the Gator O looked about as trepidatious as yours truly has ever seen them . . . at least since the Era of Meyer began. They made so many dive plays that the commentators were speculating about Greg Lougainis having drawn up the game plan.

That being said, though, Florida controlled the game from kick-off to the bitter end--much more so than the 13-3 final score reveals. In my humble (!) opinion, the majority of the credit for said control belongs to Brandon Spikes and the Gator D.

A win is a win.

A win over the #4 team in the nation is much more than that.

How sweet it is!

Bursting Boone's Bubble

Yikes!

That's all I can say after watching Dr. Phillips dismantle the Boone Braves tonight, 49-7.

The surprising part of all this is that I had received some assurances that the outcome would be significantly different. In fact, I do believe I was told this morning over breakfast that the score should have been 21-14 in Boone's favor.

I guess this is what happens when you underestimate a #1 squad. (How's that for some foreshadowing for ye LSU fans out there?!)

I don't care that DP snuck into the top slot due to MNW's failings.

And, with the comparative depth they have, it also didn't matter that two star players were suspended just prior to the game.

This was a gross mismatch.

Only made grosser by the sweltering humidity and 105-degree heat index.

When's the football weather gonna show up around here, anyway?!?!

Gators grind out their first SEC win of the season

Despite all the pre-game hype predicting another romp in The Swamp, our guys in the Orange and Blue actually had their work cut out for them this afternoon.

Several things conspired against them:

1. Though Vols QB Jonathan Crompton is woefully outclassed by Tim Tebow in the statistics department, he has some formidable teammates. Hats off to safety Eric Berry and runningback Montario Hardesty. They earned our respect.

2. Tebow was not himself. He turned over the ball in the red zone. He threw an interception. And, he failed for the first time in 30 games to throw a touchdown pass.

3. Brandon Spikes was forced to sit out the entire second half due to tendinitis.

4. The officiating crew was something less than impartial. They penalized the Gators for defensive tackle Jaye Howard's "unsportsmanlike conduct," a very debatable call. Then, just minutes later they not only failed to recognize similar conduct displayed by the Vols following an interception. They also failed to penalize Tennessee for an obvious intentional grounding by Crompton.

It was an actual relief to many Gator fans in the final moments of the game when safety Ahmad Black intercepted another Crompton pass to put this ugly game to bed. No style points will be awarded for this win.

Nonetheless, Florida adds to their record-breaking win streak, improving to 3-0 while the Vols drop to 1-2. Hopefully, Urban's crew learned a few more lessons they can apply to games further down the schedule . . .

It's still great to be a Florida Gator!

Another romp in The Swamp

One of the things this particular Gators fan looks forward to on Saturdays is to see what Bible verse our star quarterback is going to wear into battle.

That's no doubt, at least in part, because I know it annoys all the secular humanists out there.

This week's verse was Mark 8:36. (What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?)

Though the mighty Orange and Blue destroyed Troy on the gridiron (56-6), they have got to be doing some last minute soul-searching in the lead up to next week's big showdown with the Tennessee Vols and their mouthy new coach Lane Kiffin.

I suppose that's why UF has the tradition of playing two relative patsies at the beginning of each season. (No offense intended to ye Trojan and Charleston Southern fans out there.)

It's much better to have the weak spots exposed early, so Urban Meyer, Charlie Strong, and staff can hone the skills of the fine squad of athletes they are coaching.

Coupla things this fan is hoping they work on this week:

1. Clock management. But for this, yesterday's 83-yard drive would've resulted in an extra 6 or 7 on the scoreboard before halftime. Definitely not the margin of victory in this match-up, but it could be the margin in one of the bigger games further down the list.

2. Turnovers. Our guys fumbled the ball 6 times. Against not-so-mighty Troy, this only resulted in 3 actual turnovers. But, against an SEC level defense, that ratio could prove deadly.

Still, hopes for big things to come are still very much alive and well in this little corner of heaven. How could they not be?!

GO GATORS!