The Auburn Tigers, national champions in 1957 and heartbreakingly close in numerous other years, represent one of the great programs in college football history. However, they have not enjoyed that much success in UCFC games. Auburn's all-time record in UCFC play is 13-8-0. Still, their championship runs have involved some pretty important games.
The Tigers took the title for the first time on November 21, 1942, when they beat a great Georgia team that had held the title all year, and that was later named the 1942 national champions. Auburn then beat Clemson 41-13 to end the 1942 season -- and then didn't play at all during 1943 because of World War II. So they didn't defend their title until September 29, 1944, when they beat Samford 32-0. Two weeks later, Auburn lost the crown to Georgia Tech.
Auburn didn't regain the title until November 13, 1971, when the great Pat Sullivan led Auburn to a 35-20 victory over UCFC holders Georgia. But two weeks later, Auburn lost the title to an Alabama team that played for -- and lost -- the national title.
Auburn next took the title on October 29, 1983 -- one of the all-time great football seasons -- when they knocked off holders Florida 28-21. The 1983 team was one of Auburn's beat teams ever. Led by Bo Jackson, the Tigers won the rest of their games that year, finishing 11-1 but ultimately being overshadowed by Miami (Florida) and Nebraska, whose spectacular Orange Bowl decided the national championship. Auburn had a chance to prove that they were the better team in the first game of the 1984 season, but Miami (Florida) united the national title and the UCFC in a 20-18 victory over the Tigers.
It would be another 24 years before Auburn regained the crown with a 20-17 win over Florida on September 29, 2007. This time they held it only a few weeks before losing to an LSU team that went on to win the national championship. The SEC title game will be Auburn's first shot at the UCFC since 2007.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Clemson 7 - 29 S. Carolina (Final)
The Gamecocks cruise home with a remarkably easy victory over their old rivals, and run their all-time record in UCFC games to 7-12.
The Tigers fall to 4-8 in UCFC games.
The UCFC will now travel to Atlanta, where the Gamecocks will defend the title in the SEC Championship game against the Auburn Tigers.
The Tigers fall to 4-8 in UCFC games.
The UCFC will now travel to Atlanta, where the Gamecocks will defend the title in the SEC Championship game against the Auburn Tigers.
Clemson 7 - 29 S. Carolina (1:15 left in 3d Quarter)
The Gamecocks add another field goal. It is really hard to overstate how impressive they have been. Since 1951, Carolina has beaten Clemson only 21 times, and most of those victories have been really close. Only twice have the Gamecocks won by more than 20 points -- in 1975 (56-20) and in 1994 (33-7). Both times the Tigers won the next year. So for Carolina to be up 22 points after last year's 17-point victory is a real game-changer. It will be very interesting to see how Clemson responds to this challenge.
Meanwhile, after weeks of second- and third-tier games, we can start looking forward to a UCFC game that will also play a significant role in the chase for the national championship, because the Gamecocks will be traveling to Atlanta to take on the number 2 Auburn Tigers in the SEC title game.
Meanwhile, after weeks of second- and third-tier games, we can start looking forward to a UCFC game that will also play a significant role in the chase for the national championship, because the Gamecocks will be traveling to Atlanta to take on the number 2 Auburn Tigers in the SEC title game.
Clemson 7 - 26 S. Carolina (10:17 left in 3d quarter)
Clemson came out with great purpose at the beginning of the second half. They stopped South Carolina, and then moved the ball smartly from their own 9 to their own 40. But then a Carolina defensive back picked off a short pass and practically walked into the end zone for what is probably a game-breaking touchdown.
Once again, it appears that I have underestimated the Gamecocks, who have looked like world-beaters so far.
Once again, it appears that I have underestimated the Gamecocks, who have looked like world-beaters so far.
Clemson 7 - 19 S. Carolina (Halftime)
The half ends with Carolina missing a 49-yard field goal that would have given them a 15-point lead, but the Gamecocks will certainly be satisfied with the proceedings so far. After that first series, Carolina has been totally dominant, with 254 total yards to only 112 for the Tigers. One more half of this, and the big UCFC cup will be heading for Atlanta next week.
Clemson 7 - 19 S. Carolina (8:22 left in 2d quarter)
Carolina pads its lead with another strong drive that gets down to the Clemson 8 before stalling and resulting in a field goal. So far the Gamecocks have 194 total yards, compared to only 95 for the Tigers.
Clemson 7 - 16 S. Carolina (14:53 left in 2d quarter)
Now Carolina is starting to roll. The Gamecocks go 85 yards on 5 plays, the last of which was a 37-yard touchdown pass. This time they make the extra point. So far Carolina looks very sharp. This game has much the same feel as the Florida game a few weeks ago, when Carolina gave up a early touchdown on the road, but then took control.
Clemson 7- 9 S. Carolina (5:16 left in 1st Quarter)
Not a lot of quality out there right now. Clemson's punter muffs the snap and is wiped out by Carolina, giving the Gamecocks the ball at the Tiger 5. Carolina scores on the very next play, but then the extra point is blocked.
Clemson 7 - 3 S. Carolina (6:44 left in 1st quarter)
Finally, the Deuce has switched over to the UCFC game. After an exchange of punts, the Tigers -- wearing orange shirts and orange pants -- have the ball at their own 15.
Clemson 7 - 3 S. Carolina (9:18 left in 1st quarter)
The Gamecocks respond with a drive of their own that results in a 46-yard field goal. I still haven't seen any of this game, but I can tell you that Maryland leads N.C. State 38-31 with 1:04 to play, and that the Terps are wearing their normal uniforms this week, as opposed to the ridiculous outfits they wore last week against Florida State.
Clemson 7 - 0 S. Carolina (13:10 left in 1st quarter)
Easy as pie. The Tigers take the opening kickoff and drive 73 yards on four plays, the last of which was a 45-yd touchdown pass. ESPN2 -- which is supposed to televise this game -- is still showing the end of Maryland's victory over North Carolina State (another team that constantly underperforms) and the Tigers have already taken the lead.
Clemson v. S. Carolina
Listening to ESPN Radio this afternoon, I heard someone who did a great job of summarizing the Clemson football program: "You can count on Clemson to lose two or three games to teams that aren't as good as they are, and you can count on them to beat South Carolina." That's about right. Year after year, Clemson starts off ranked #8, or # 12, or something like that. Then in late September or early October they lose a few games to teams like Wake Forest, or UNC, or Boston College, and they disappear from the polls. And then, at the end of the year, they beat Carolina and scrape their way into a minor bowl.
Clemson leads the all-time series against Carolina with a record of 65-38-4. Carolina did win last year's game, but Carolina has not beaten Clemson two years in a row since 1970. During the period from 1971 to the present, Clemson leads the series 27-11-1.
Don't get me wrong. Clemson hasn't had it easy. In fact, this is really one of the most underrated rivalries in college football. These two teams -- and their fanbases -- truly hate each other, and they almost always play extremely hard-fought games. Nevertheless, Clemson usually ends up on top.
On the other hand, this Carolina team has already beaten Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. They have consistently surprised me -- winning UCFC games against Alabama and Florida I thought they would certainly lose, and losing a UCFC game against Kentucky that they should have won with ease. So I can't say I will be surprised if they beat Clemson. But I will less surprised if Clemson beats them.
One final comment: this game is extremely important for determining the future path of the UCFC. This is Clemson's last game of the regular season. If the Tigers win the UCFC today, they will finish the season 7-5 and defend the title in some third-tier bowl such as the Music City Bowl. That means we will have to wait until next year for a UCFC game that involves top-10 competition. On the other hand, if Carolina wins, they will defend the title next week against Auburn in the SEC Championship game. The winner of that game will play in a BCS bowl -- and, if Auburn takes the title, it will probably play for the national championship. Because my own preference is for the UCFC and the national title to be held by the same team -- and because Carolina is in the SEC and I'm an SEC fan -- I will be rooting hard for the Gamecocks.
Clemson leads the all-time series against Carolina with a record of 65-38-4. Carolina did win last year's game, but Carolina has not beaten Clemson two years in a row since 1970. During the period from 1971 to the present, Clemson leads the series 27-11-1.
Don't get me wrong. Clemson hasn't had it easy. In fact, this is really one of the most underrated rivalries in college football. These two teams -- and their fanbases -- truly hate each other, and they almost always play extremely hard-fought games. Nevertheless, Clemson usually ends up on top.
On the other hand, this Carolina team has already beaten Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and Florida. They have consistently surprised me -- winning UCFC games against Alabama and Florida I thought they would certainly lose, and losing a UCFC game against Kentucky that they should have won with ease. So I can't say I will be surprised if they beat Clemson. But I will less surprised if Clemson beats them.
One final comment: this game is extremely important for determining the future path of the UCFC. This is Clemson's last game of the regular season. If the Tigers win the UCFC today, they will finish the season 7-5 and defend the title in some third-tier bowl such as the Music City Bowl. That means we will have to wait until next year for a UCFC game that involves top-10 competition. On the other hand, if Carolina wins, they will defend the title next week against Auburn in the SEC Championship game. The winner of that game will play in a BCS bowl -- and, if Auburn takes the title, it will probably play for the national championship. Because my own preference is for the UCFC and the national title to be held by the same team -- and because Carolina is in the SEC and I'm an SEC fan -- I will be rooting hard for the Gamecocks.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Clemson
Of the seven original members of the ACC that are still in the ACC, Clemson has the best football tradition and the most rabid football fans. In 1981, Clemson won the only national championship won by any of those teams since Maryland took the title in 1953. Since then, Clemson has tended to bounce around in the 6-5 to 9-2 range, beating up on lesser teams and almost always losing to great teams. This year has been pretty typical. The Tigers are 6-5 with wins over North Texas, Presbyterian, Maryland, Georgia Tech, North Carolina State, and Wake Forest. On the other hand, they lost to Auburn, Miami (Fla.), North Carolina, Boston College, and Florida State. But now they have a chance to redeem their year by taking the UCFC from their in-state rivals.
Clemson has only played for the UCFC 11 times, and they have a record of 4-7 in those games. They won the title during the chaotic season of 1974 by beating Duke, but lost it the very next week to Tennessee. They also won the title by beating Penn State in the Citrus Bowl on January 1, 1988, and kept it for two more weeks before losing it to Florida State. They haven't had it since.
The Clemson/South Carolina game has never been a UCFC game.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Troy 24 at South Carolina 69
Robinson fumbles the snap of Troy's first play and sets up a touchdown pass from SC's third string quarterback.
Troy 24 at South Carolina 62
The SC second team offense eats off nine minutes capped by a field goal. There is just over 3 minutes left.
Troy 24 at South Carolina 59
Troy gets a good punt return to setup a short touchdown drive with 12:14 left in the game.
Troy 17 at South Carolina 59
Troy forces a turnover and tops it off with a touchdown pass. So Troy can match up pretty well it would appear against the SC second stringers.
Troy 10 at South Carolina 59
Well Troy answers with their own field goal against SC's second string defense.
Troy 7 at South Carolina 59
SC took the opening kick of the second half and marched down with their second string offense for a field goal. Now we'll see if Troy's offense can do anything this second half.
Troy 7 at South Carolina 56 Halftime
With seconds left and a 4th and 1 around the South Carolina 40 Robinson dropped back, was under pressure and simply made a dumb play tossing the ball up for the second pick six of the half. He is a freshman after all and will make silly plays.
Clemson will be getting ready for their shot at the UCFC title next week.
Clemson will be getting ready for their shot at the UCFC title next week.
Troy 7 at South Carolina 49
Corey Robinson throws a pick six with 1:42 left in the half, and the Gamecocks put more points on board. It's hard to believe this Troy team scored 38 against Oklahoma State and could win the Sun Belt.
Troy 7 at South Carolina 42
With 2:36 left in the half Garcia caps off an 81yd drive with a quarterback sneak into the end zone. That was a dominating drive by South Carolina. I'm assuming that will be the last we see of the SC offensive starters.
Troy 7 at South Carolina 35
Troy finally settles down and puts together a nice drive, capped by a halfback option touchdown pass with 4:49 left in the first half.
Troy 0 at South Carolina 35
With 8:18 left in the 2nd quarter South Carolina gets their third touchdown off of Troy's third turnover. The Troy defense has been playing a bit better, but their offense cannot do anything.
Troy 0 at South Carolina 28
With 5:49 left in the 1st quarter the Gamecocks connect on a long pass. So far Troy looks completely overmatched and overly nervous.
Troy 0 at South Carolina 21
Came back in time to see SC score again with 8:36 left in the 1st quarter.
South Carolina up 7-0
Troy fumbles the opening kickoff and South Carolina scores on their first play, a run up the middle to take a 7-0 lead only 13 seconds into the game.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
No Live Blog This Week
I will have to be out of town this Saturday when South Carolina defends the UCFC against Troy, so I will not be live-blogging that game. I plan to post a report on the game Saturday night.
I will predict, however, that Carolina will defend the UCFC, thus setting up a showdown for the title with cross-state rival Clemson.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Troy
Troy University was founded as a normal school in 1887 in Troy, Alabama. At that time, it was called the Troy State Normal School. In 1929, it became Troy State Teachers College, and it awarded its first baccalaureate degree in 1931. In 1957, it became Troy State College, and in 1967 it became Troy State University. And I still think of it as Troy State. But in 2005, it was renamed again, and is now simply Troy University.
For a long time, Troy played in the NAIA -- in fact, they were NAIA national champs in 1968. But they've been moving up. In 1984 and 1987, they won the NCAA Division II national titles. In 2001, they joined Division I-A. They've done quite well, establishing themselves as a power in the Sun Belt Conference, which they have won four years in a row. But today they were beaten by Florida International 52-35, so they are now one game behind FIU in the Sun Belt standings.
Troy has scheduled very aggressively, and has actually played for the UCFC three times, losing all three games:
October 6, 2001: Miami (Fla.) 38, Troy 7
September 8, 2007: Florida 59, Troy 31
September 12, 2009: Florida 56, Troy 6
We'll see if they do any better next week.
For a long time, Troy played in the NAIA -- in fact, they were NAIA national champs in 1968. But they've been moving up. In 1984 and 1987, they won the NCAA Division II national titles. In 2001, they joined Division I-A. They've done quite well, establishing themselves as a power in the Sun Belt Conference, which they have won four years in a row. But today they were beaten by Florida International 52-35, so they are now one game behind FIU in the Sun Belt standings.
Troy has scheduled very aggressively, and has actually played for the UCFC three times, losing all three games:
October 6, 2001: Miami (Fla.) 38, Troy 7
September 8, 2007: Florida 59, Troy 31
September 12, 2009: Florida 56, Troy 6
We'll see if they do any better next week.
Florida 14 - 36 S. Carolina (Final)
OK, I was totally wrong. Carolina not only won, they won in style. Against all expectations, the SEC title game will be S. Carolina v. Auburn.
This is a great triumph for Steve Spurrier, who completes a very sweet double with wins over Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, and takes the SEC East title in the very Swamp that he made famous.
So, for the fifth time this year, we have a new holder of the UCFC. We started off with Alabama, who lost to South Carolina, who lost to Kentucky, who lost to Georgia, who lost to Florida, who lost to South Carolina. What a crazy year.
Florida's record in UCFC games falls to 25-15. South Carolina's record in UCFC games improves to 5-12.
Next week, the Gamecocks will defend the title in their last home game of the season, they will be taking on the Troy Trojans.
This is a great triumph for Steve Spurrier, who completes a very sweet double with wins over Nick Saban and Urban Meyer, and takes the SEC East title in the very Swamp that he made famous.
So, for the fifth time this year, we have a new holder of the UCFC. We started off with Alabama, who lost to South Carolina, who lost to Kentucky, who lost to Georgia, who lost to Florida, who lost to South Carolina. What a crazy year.
Florida's record in UCFC games falls to 25-15. South Carolina's record in UCFC games improves to 5-12.
Next week, the Gamecocks will defend the title in their last home game of the season, they will be taking on the Troy Trojans.
Florida 14 - 29 S. Carolina (6:33 left in 4th Quarter)
The Gators finally go their offense in gear (they still only have 169 total yards), but it's probably too little, too late.
Florida 7 - 29 S. Carolina (13:35 left in 4th Quarter)
Well, they've put it away now. Florida threw an interception -- the first turnover of the game -- giving the ball to Carolina at the Gator 30. And the Gamecocks made them pay, going in for a game-clinching score.
This is one of the most surprising results I can remember in years. The Gator fans on ESPN look absolutely stunned, and I don't blame them.
Anyway, the Troy Trojans need to get their game face ready, because they will be contesting the UCFC in Columbia, South Carolina next week.
This is one of the most surprising results I can remember in years. The Gator fans on ESPN look absolutely stunned, and I don't blame them.
Anyway, the Troy Trojans need to get their game face ready, because they will be contesting the UCFC in Columbia, South Carolina next week.
Florida 7 - 22 S. Carolina (53 seconds left in 3d Quarter)
The Gamecocks do not put the game away. Florida holds them three and out, and the Gators take over at their own 20 after a Gamecock punt.
Florida 7 - 22 S. Carolina (3:15 left in 3d Quarter)
Florida just went for it on 4th and 2 at their own 44, and didn't make it. The Gamecocks take over with a great chance to put this game away.
Florida 7 - 22 S. Carolina (10:05 left in 3d Quarter)
This is a staggering result. Carolina took the kickoff and just went straight down the field for another score. What an odd team they are. They threw away an 18-point lead at Kentucky. They were crushed at home by Arkansas. But they beat Alabama and now they're cruising at Florida.
Florida 7 - 15 S. Carolina (Halftime)
The Gamecocks left the ACC in the early 1970s, and then wandered in the world of Independents until finally getting into the SEC in 1992. Since that time, there has been a lot of futility. The Gamecocks have never won the SEC East in football and have never won the SEC men's basketball tournament. They've beaten Florida only once in 18 conference games, and never beaten them in Gainesville. Their all-time record in SEC conference play is a very mediocre 59-91-1. (Florida's conference record over the same period is 121-30.) Now they are only two quarters away from what would be a very sweet victory.
Florida 7 - 15 S. Carolina (Halftime)
On the last play of the first half, the Gamecocks kick another field goal. They've made three field goals, each of which was over 40 yards long. They were much the better team in the first half -- out-gaining Florida 209 yards to only 51. South Carolina also went the whole half without a single penalty. This has been a UCFC-worthy performance. Can they keep it up in the second half and take the title for the second time this year?
Florida 7 - 12 S. Carolina (4:37 left in 2d Quarter)
Since that opening kickoff, the Gamecocks have been by far the better team. They have 13 first downs to only two for Florida. They have 164 total yards, to only 53 for Florida. And they just kicked a 47-yard field goal to pad their lead. However, a touchdown would still put Florida back on top.
Florida 7 - 9 S. Carolina (2:36 left in 1st quarter)
I have to admit that Carolina has been the better team so far. They just had another long drive, and this one ended in a touchdown. But they missed the extra point, which could turn out to be important.
Florida 7 - 3 S. Carolina (9:40 left in 1st Quarter)
The Gamecocks opening drive stalls at the Gator 30, and they take the 3 points.
Florida 7 - 0 S. Carolina (12:19 left in 1st quarter)
Well, this might be even easier for the Gators than I expected; they ran the opening kickoff back for a touchdown.
Florida v. S. Carolina
The Gators lead the all-time series, 23-4-3. The Gators and the Gamecocks rarely played each other before Carolina joined the SEC in 1992. Since then they have played every year, but the Gamecocks have only beaten Florida one time in SEC play. That was back in 2005. The Gamecocks have never beaten Florida in Gainesville (the site of today's game), where they are 0-12. Usually, this game is little more than a speed bump for a Florida team zooming toward bigger games against Florida State and the SEC title game.
This is the second time this fixture has served as a UCFC game. Last year, the Gators took the title with them to Columbia, and kept it with a 24-14 win over the Gamecocks.
This is the most important game ever between the two teams. Both teams are tied for first place in the SEC East with a record of 4-3. Whoever wins this game, therefore, will take the SEC East crown and play for the conference championship. Since the SEC went to two divisions in 1992, only three teams have ever won the SEC East: Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Add in the fact that Carolina is coached by Steve Spurrier, probably the most famous coach in Florida's history, and you can see that this is a big deal.
Having said that, I don't think this game is really going to be that close. Carolina really hasn't played very well since they beat Alabama a few weeks ago, and the Gators have been rolling in recent weeks. I'm picking the Gators by at least 10.
This is the second time this fixture has served as a UCFC game. Last year, the Gators took the title with them to Columbia, and kept it with a 24-14 win over the Gamecocks.
This is the most important game ever between the two teams. Both teams are tied for first place in the SEC East with a record of 4-3. Whoever wins this game, therefore, will take the SEC East crown and play for the conference championship. Since the SEC went to two divisions in 1992, only three teams have ever won the SEC East: Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. Add in the fact that Carolina is coached by Steve Spurrier, probably the most famous coach in Florida's history, and you can see that this is a big deal.
Having said that, I don't think this game is really going to be that close. Carolina really hasn't played very well since they beat Alabama a few weeks ago, and the Gators have been rolling in recent weeks. I'm picking the Gators by at least 10.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Vanderbilt 14 - 55 Florida (Final)
As we expected, this was not much of a game. Florida did look sharp, and Vanderbilt did look particularly wretched, but other than that things pretty much went as anticipated.
So Vandy's all-time record in UCFC games drops to 0-8-2, while Florida's record improves to 25-14.
Next week Florida will go home to host the South Carolina Gamecocks, who have already captured the UCFC once this year. That game, which will decide the championship of the SEC East as well as the UCFC, should be quite a battle. At least it will be better than this.
Vanderbilt 0 - 41 Florida (3:29 left in 2d Quarter)
While I was typing the last entry, Florida blocked another punt and ran it back for another touchdown. That pretty much tells you all you need to know about this game.
Vanderbilt 0 - 34 Florida (5:36 left in 2d Quarter)
Well, things got pretty ugly after that. Florida is just rolling up and down the field at will, as they have done so often against Vanderbilt. For the first time in five weeks, the UCFC holder is going to retain the title, thus setting up a very interesting matchup with South Carolina.
Vanderbilt 0 - 7 (3:35 left in 1st Quarter)
Vandy punts, but the punt hits a Gator and Vandy takes over at the Florida 34. The Dores work the ball down to the 14, and on fourth and short Vandy sends out its kicking team. But it's a fake! The Vandy kicker drops back to pass, seemingly has all day to pick out a receiver and . . . throws an incomplete pass. Florida takes over, and Vandy has probably lost its only good chance to tie the game.
Vanderbilt 0 - 7 (8:47 left in 1st Quarter)
And there you are. A blocked punt, a poor decision not to take the safety, a three-yard sweep, and Florida takes the lead.
Vanderbilt 0 - 0 Florida (9:23 left in 1st Quarter)
And so it begins. Florida blocks a Vandy punt, and the punter -- instead of taking a safety -- downs the ball on the Vandy 4-yard line. Florida will soon have more than a two-point lead.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Vanderbilt v. Florida
This is not one of the more stirring fixtures on the SEC calendar.
For much of their history, Vandy and Florida didn't play each other very often. In fact, they didn't play at all until 1945 -- twelve years after the SEC began. Since the SEC split into two divisions for the 1992 season, however, they have met every year -- and the Gators have won every time. This is not surprising; the Gators have been the best team in the SEC since 1992, while the Dores have been very much the worst. The Dores last beat Florida in 1988. In fact, the Gators lead this series 32-9-2, and they may never lose to Vandy again.
Currently, the longest continuous losing streak by one team to another in college football is Kentucky's quarter-century of defeat to Tennessee. But if Kentucky can knock off a depleted Tennessee team this year, I would expect the Vandy/Florida series to eventually take its place in the record books.
Vanderbilt and Florida have met in two previous UCFC games. In 1983, Florida captured the UCFC with a 31-17 victory over LSU, and the next week (October 8) the Gators successfully defended their title, beating Vandy 29-10. In 2009, Florida held the title for most of the year, and Vandy gave them no trouble, falling to the Gators 27-3 in Gainesville.
This year has been surprisingly painful for the Gators, who lost to Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State in consecutive weeks. The Gators are only 3-3 in the SEC, but they still control their destiny -- if they beat Vandy and South Carolina in their last two SEC games, they will capture the SEC East. Furthermore, their win over a hot Georgia team last week suggests that they are coming together. Vandy (whose coach mysteriously retired in late July, just before the season began), is bumping along with a record of 1-4 in the SEC and 2-6 overall -- pretty typical for them. Vandy has a chance to knock off Kentucky next week, and they will certainly try to pick up a rare victory over a depleted Tennessee squad the week after that. But the Dores have no chance in this game.
For much of their history, Vandy and Florida didn't play each other very often. In fact, they didn't play at all until 1945 -- twelve years after the SEC began. Since the SEC split into two divisions for the 1992 season, however, they have met every year -- and the Gators have won every time. This is not surprising; the Gators have been the best team in the SEC since 1992, while the Dores have been very much the worst. The Dores last beat Florida in 1988. In fact, the Gators lead this series 32-9-2, and they may never lose to Vandy again.
Currently, the longest continuous losing streak by one team to another in college football is Kentucky's quarter-century of defeat to Tennessee. But if Kentucky can knock off a depleted Tennessee team this year, I would expect the Vandy/Florida series to eventually take its place in the record books.
Vanderbilt and Florida have met in two previous UCFC games. In 1983, Florida captured the UCFC with a 31-17 victory over LSU, and the next week (October 8) the Gators successfully defended their title, beating Vandy 29-10. In 2009, Florida held the title for most of the year, and Vandy gave them no trouble, falling to the Gators 27-3 in Gainesville.
This year has been surprisingly painful for the Gators, who lost to Alabama, LSU and Mississippi State in consecutive weeks. The Gators are only 3-3 in the SEC, but they still control their destiny -- if they beat Vandy and South Carolina in their last two SEC games, they will capture the SEC East. Furthermore, their win over a hot Georgia team last week suggests that they are coming together. Vandy (whose coach mysteriously retired in late July, just before the season began), is bumping along with a record of 1-4 in the SEC and 2-6 overall -- pretty typical for them. Vandy has a chance to knock off Kentucky next week, and they will certainly try to pick up a rare victory over a depleted Tennessee squad the week after that. But the Dores have no chance in this game.
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