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As part of our commitment to Gator football, the Gatorsfirst.com team will provide a weekly update on which teams we should be rooting for each week, and how it affects the Gators. As we approach the homestretch, we'll be rooting for teams in games that usually don't affect our ranking.
I haven't written in a while on the subject. To my followers, I apologize. Unfortunately, the regular world (work) can come up and drain you of your free time. But, I'm back and ready to look forward to week 9 of the college football season...
This week I get to partake in the ''World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party'', which in my mind means Hate Georgia week. In reality, every week is Hate Georgia week, but I digress... The Bulldogs have really crapped the bed this season, including an out-of-conference loss to Oklahoma State, and conference losses to LSU and Tennessee. Although it's made our route to the SEC championship game a ton smoother, it's dampened one of the traditionally great games on our schedule. Obviously, we'd like to see them lose.
As always, we should be rooting for everyone on our schedule to win this week. The reason for this is because it invariably affects our strength of schedule, which is calculated as part of the computer rankings. It also puts an inkling in voters minds that the Gators may have a quality win over a team that beat so-and-so.
Teams On Our Schedule
Troy over Louisiana-Monroe
Troy hasn't looked all that bad this year. They are currently 5-2 with wins over Middle Tennessee State and fellow Gator opponent FIU. UL-Monroe is a tough team, so hopefully Troy can pull out a win.
South Carolina over Tennessee
South Carolina is really our only tough opponent left after this weekend, and before the SEC championship game. At 6-2, we can't afford for them to lose. Plus, when was the last time someone had to twist your arm to root for Spurrier and a Tennessee loss on the same day???
Kentucky over Mississippi State
We've beaten both of these teams, and neither will be a threat to any tiebreaker situation in the SEC. However, MSU is 3-5 and more than likely they won't go to a bowl game. Kentucky, on the other hand, currently has a winning record and only needs two more wins for bowl eligibility. Let's root for the Cats strictly based off that.
Vanderbilt over Georgia Tech
Obviously we want Vandy to pull the massive upset, especially since we play them in a few weeks. But the Dores have really sucked this season, after finally making a bowl game last year. disappointing indeed.
Florida State over North Carolina State
Man Bobby has lost the faith of his followers. While it's always nice to see FSU in football misery, it's kinda depressing to see a fan base completely give up on someone that has been so important to the success of the program. Say what you will about Bobby Bowden, but you can't deny the impact he's made in Tallahassee. We need them to freakin win. They are our last opponent, and it would be nice if voters would actually have interest in that game in November!
Arkansas over Eastern Michigan
LSU over Tulane
FIU over Louisiana-Lafayette
If we're strictly talking about Gator football, we should be rooting for each of these teams on our schedule. These games are no-brainers.
Other SEC Games
The only other SEC game is Auburn @ Ole Miss. We don't play either team, and both have multiple losses. In my view, it really doesn't matter who wins...
Other National Games of Interest
Oregon over Southern Cal
Very good matchup this weekend. USC, amazingly, is #4. Even though they have one loss, they're still ahead of undefeateds TCU, Cincy, Boise St, and Iowa. It hurts my head. Has anyone watched their games? They're just not as good as past teams, and would have difficulty with the upper-echelon teams. Since Oregon is the lower ranked team (higher in number), root for them. Even if Florida loses down the road, still can't put the Ducks ahead of them, right?
Oklahoma State over Texas
Living here in Texas, it's always fun to root against the Longhorns. Other than Florida, Alabama, & possibly LSU, no one else really controls their own destiny outside of Texas. (if LSU wins out, it would include wins over Alabama and Florida, which is probably a better resume than an undefeated Iowa, TCU, Boise State, or Cincinnati, but that's another argument for another day) This will pretty much be their last tough test before the end of the season, so hopes are high that OSU can knock them off in Stillwater.
Indiana over Iowa
Iowa has been a BIG surprise, and that's a BIG understatement. somehow every year, the possibility of an undefeated Big Ten team creeps into the national landscape and ruins the changes for more deserving teams. They would have 2 or 3 losses if they were in the SEC, just saying... Indiana has played some tough games, so lets see if the Hoosiers can pull it together for an upset.
Syracuse over Cincinnati
Greg Paulus and company lack the talent and coaching that Cincinnati has. Brian Kelly is certainly boosting his chances at landing a job at a premiere school. Cincy scares me because they still have to play Pittsburgh and West Virginia, who only have one loss a piece, so if they beat them, they'll be right up there in the national discussion. Root for Syracuse, even though chances are slim.
San Jose State over Boise State
Will this team die already? They're not losing, just look at their schedule. And as long as Oregon keeps winning, they're fans will have a reason to shower them with praises. Root for San Jose State.
UNLV over TCU
TCU is actually pretty good. I've watched a few of their games, and they seem like a complete team, and one that would give any quality team fits. They still have to play Utah later in the season, but '09 Utah isn't '08 Utah. Either way, root for the Rebels this weekend.
Northwestern over Penn State
I hate seeing the possibility of the Big Ten+1 getting two BCS bids. Just root for the Wildcats for my sake... |
