1 » Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer did not spend much time praising his team after its 62-3 blowout victory over the Florida International Golden Panthers on Saturday. Instead, he turned his attention to the Florida State Seminoles, declaring, “It’s rivalry week. We’ve been here before. So, let’s get started.” Meyer does not hide his affection for taking down the so-called “School Out West.” “It’s the world,” he said. “It’s what makes this job the best in college football. It’s what makes this stadium the best in college football. This is going to be a special week. It’s started already.”

2 » If Meyer sounded pumped up for Florida State, his team appeared ready to take them on right after FIU left the field. “It’s a lot of hatred,” junior safety Ahmad Black said. “It started even before us. It goes way back to the earlier days. We’ve won five straight. We don’t want to be the team that loses the streak.” Junior guard Mike Pouncey didn’t even question the result of the game. “It’s five [in a row]? So, it will be six,” he said. “They’re always good and it’s a rivalry game, so everybody’s going to play a little harder. Linebacker Ryan Stamper, one of the seniors who will play their last game in The Swamp on Saturday, believes his class has a mission to accomplish. “I grew up watching the Florida-Florida State rivalry since I was little. Going out with them not beating us once would be a great thing.”

3 » While taking down the Seminoles is just another “mission” for the Gators, it could be a season-defining victory for Florida State. FSU did extend its bowl streak to 28 years with a victory over the Maryland Terrapins on Saturday, but head coach Bobby Bowden said taking a win from Florida this week would be among the most memorable victories of his career. “It probably would,” he said. “In other words, this thing has got to turn around. And I would say if you [beat the Gators], it’s around. You’re betting good if you can beat them, I’ll tell you what. What a task. What a task.” Whether or not Bowden can pull of a victory may not even matter, because if the Seminoles’ boosters get there way, this season could be his last in garnet and gold.

4 » Limping off the field with an injured medial-collateral ligament on Saturday, redshirt junior starting linebacker A.J. Jones needed to be replaced. Meyer immediately sent junior Brandon Hicks into the game, and the team did not lose a step. Why? Because Hicks started the final five games of the 2008 season – including the BCS National Championship game against the Oklahoma Sooners – when Jones went down with his previous knee injury. “Here we go,” Meyer told him before he stepped on the field. “You’ve been here before.” Hicks’ performance last year earned him a reputation as one of the best defenders on the team, though an ankle injury kept him from starting in 2009. On a side note, Meyer said Jones’ injury is “nonsurgical,” meaning there is a possibility he could be ready for the team’s bowl game.

Tags: A.J. Jones, Ahmad Black, BCS, Bobby Bowden, Brandon Hicks, Florida International Golden Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Mike Pouncey, National Championship, Oklahoma Sooners, Ryan Stamper, School Out West, The Swamp, Urban Meyer

From time to time, OGGOA will come across too many news items we want to share with our readers. In those instances, we present a special post: Gator Bites. Enjoy.

- Aside from losing 18 seniors to graduation, the Florida Gators could have a bunch of junior declare for the 2010 NFL Draft. “It’s in the back of your mind,” junior guard Mike Pouncey said. “We haven’t made any kind of decision yet. I have a great deal of respect for coach [Steve] Addazio. I’ll sit down and talk to him and my family and try to make the best decision for my future.”

- Junior linebacker Brandon Hicks is expected to replace redshirt junior LB A.J. Jones, who injured his MCL on Saturday and will be out for at least a few weeks.

- “They forgot to account for me,” senior quarterback Tim Tebow said about his career-long 55-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter on Sunday. “It’s one of the risks of playing man coverage with an athletic quarterback,” Gators head coach Urban Meyer added. “He’s going to get mad at me, but he’s not exactly the fastest kid.”

- Gainesville Sun columnist Pat Dooley believes Saturday’s game against the Florida International Golden Panthers was one “these guys needed.” The starters had fun, got to somewhat relax a week before the senior end their careers in The Swamp and even saw some of the future starters play well in their stead. “There are going to be a lot of talented dudes on the field next year,” Tebow said.

- In seven games against common opponents, Tebow and Alabama Crimson Tide running back Mark Ingram are only one rushing touchdown apart. Considering Tebow is a quarterback who is also his team’s leader and recorded additional scores through the air in those games, a strong case can be made that he is having a better season than his greatest Heisman Trophy competition.

- There is no reason to overlook the spectacular play of redshirt sophomore QB John Brantley on Saturday. While he still has a few games to wait until he takes over the reins of the Orange and Blue, his time will come. And when it does, if he looks as good as he did Saturday, the Gators have plenty to be excited about. “I’ve been waiting for three years now, but I’ve learned so much,” Brantley said after the game. “I’ve just taken it in these past few years and try to learn as much as I can. To sit behind one of the greatest players in college football – I think is a blessing to me.”

- OGGOA has reported extensively on the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that will be worn next week for the Florida State Seminoles game (most recently here). When asked about wearing a non-traditional uniform for his home finale, Tebow had mixed emotions. “You love the jersey that you played in your last four years,” he said. “But also, you’re going to have a new jersey, and it will be something that’s cool and special to this one game.” Good perspective.

Tags: A.J. Jones, Alabama Crimson Tide, Brandon Hicks, Florida State Seminoles, Heisman Trophy, John Brantley, Mark Ingram, Mike Pouncey, Nike Pro Combat, The Swamp, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer

1 » Florida Gators basketball (2-0) looks to keep on rolling as they take on the Troy Trojans (2-0) Friday at 7 p.m. in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center. Shooting a combined 3-for-29 (10.3%) from behind the arc, the Gators are bucking a trend head coach Billy Donovan set upon his arrival to Gainesville, FL. Florida has traditionally been among the best in the Southeastern Conference in three-point shooting percentage as Donovan has made it a priority both in his recruiting and game plans. “I think for guys like Kenny [Boynton] and Erving [Walker], it is probably somewhat uncharacteristic,” Donovan said. “They have been shooting the ball well in practice. Chandler [Parsons] and Dan [Werner] are guys that maybe have been a little more up and down in their careers.”

2 » There’s plenty of other Gators sports action on the docket for the weekend. Men’s and women’s swimming & diving begin their participation in all-day weekend tournaments Friday. Women’s basketball (1-1) faces the No. 25 Pittsburgh Panthers (1-0) in Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday, and No. 13/13 volleyball (20-4, 14-3 SEC) heads to Knoxville, TN, to serve against the Tennessee Volunteers (20-7, 13-4 SEC) – both matches are scheduled for 7 p.m. Volleyball will then travel to Lexington, KY, to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (26-2, 16-1 SEC) on Sunday at 2 p.m.

3 » Senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes has been named as one of the five finalists for the 25th annual Butkus Award honoring the nation’s top linebacker. Other finalists include Rolando McClain of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Sergia Kindle of the Texas Longhorns, Sean Weatherspoon of the Missouri Tigers and Eric Norwood of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

4 » Redshirt juniors running back Emmanuel Moody (sprained ankle) and defensive tackle Terron Sanders (rib/back) have been ruled out for the Florida International Golden Panthers game on Saturday. According to head coach Urban Meyer, senior defensive end Jermaine Cunningham is “50-50” for the game with an unspecified injury. This is a good week to rest any banged up players prior to the regular season finale against the Florida State Seminoles next weekend.

Tags: Billy Donovan, Brandon Spikes, Butkus Award, Chandler Parsons, Dan Werner, diving, Emmanuel Moody, Erving Walker, Florida International Golden Panthers, Florida State Seminoles, Jermaine Cunningham, Kenny Boynton, Kentucky Wildcats, O'Connell Center, Pittsburgh Panthers, SEC, swimming, Tennessee Volunteers, Terron Sanders, Troy Trojans, Urban Meyer, volleyball, women's basketball

An OGGOA reader brought the following to my attention late Thursday afternoon. Apparently the University of Miami will be selling jerseys, hats and t-shirts to commemorate the new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that the Miami Hurricanes will be wearing in two weeks against the South Florida Bulls.

Seeing as the Florida Gators will be a part of the same marketing event, the above picture makes one wonder if the University of Florida will be allowing its fans to buy similar gear. While the Florida vs. Florida State Seminoles game is the same day as the Canes game, no official release has been provided by the University Athletic Association, pictures have not been disseminated and no further information has been made available aside from what OGGOA has uncovered over the last two weeks.

[UPDATE:] Nike has announced via one of their twitter accounts that pictures and information on Florida’s uinform will be released on Saturday, Nov. 21. OGGOA will post all of this information as soon as it is made available. Stay tuned.

One thing we do know is that Nike is selling each team’s specialty Vapor Trail gloves on its online store. At the very least, I would expect the Gators version to be up there for purchase. As always, OGGOA will have more on this as information is made available.

Tags: Florida State Seminoles, Miami Hurricanes, Nike Pro Combat, uniform, University Athletic Association, University of Miami

Florida Gators women’s basketball (1-1) hosted the No. 13/10 Florida State Seminoles (2-0) at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center Tuesday evening, dropping a heartbreaker 66-62. The Gators, who were attempting to upset the ranked Seminoles, took the lead 62-60 with 2:04 remaining but would not score another point as FSU would regain control with 37.4 second left on the clock. Florida senior forward Sharielle Smith recorded 18 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth career double-double in the contest.

Up next for the Gators is a trip to Pittsburgh, PA, on Friday to face the No. 25 Pittsburgh Panthers at 7 p.m. It is the team’s first road game of the season.

Tags: Florida State Seminoles, Sharielle Smith, women's basketball

OGGOA first reported on Nov. 9 that the Florida Gators will be wearing special uniforms against the Florida State Seminoles in their regular season finale on Nov. 28. Just one day later, we followed up on that story with exclusive information about *almost* every detail we could uncover including a picture of the uniform and other specifications.

Now a week later, OGGOA has once again been provided with exclusive information about the design of the uniform. The Gators’ Nike Pro Combat helmets will be white (see left) with a blue “F” instead of the standard cursive “Gators” design on the sides. The “F” is in the same font featured on Florida’s baseball hats as well as in the end zones at The Swamp. (See elementary mock-up created by yours truly. Probably a darker shade of blue.) We have also learned that the Gators’ Nike Zoom Air cleats will be covered in alligator skin (similar to OGGOA‘s background) with traces of orange and blue.

As the tag line implies, Florida will be wearing these unis as they attempt to “Finish the Mission” of a 12-0 regular season – the first in team history. The University of Florida‘s Sports Information Department is expected to release all of these details and more at some point within the next week. OGGOA will be sure to post anything else we hear definitively about the uniform in the meantime.

Nike’s Pro Combat uniforms are said to be 37% lighter than current designs and utilize a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water. Additional features include Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, evaporation and cooling zones, more padding zones and improved ventilation and breathability. Players will also wear Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves (above) and Nike Zoom Air cleats that are light weight and feature better cushioning in the heel.

Tags: Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Nike Pro Combat, The Swamp, uniforms, Univeristy of Florida

On Monday, OGGOA reported that the Florida Gators would be unveiling a special uniform for their final home game of the 2009 season against the Florida State Seminoles. Two sources close to OGGOA provided us with exclusive information regarding the Gators special uniforms, including a picture of the gloves that will be worn for the game. OGGOA has now also uncovered a picture of the uniform.

Last week, OGGOA received images of brand new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that FSU plans to wear on Nov. 21 against the Maryland Terrapins. These uniforms will be worn by the Seminoles, Gators and eight other teams to promote Nike’s new line.

Each team has its own tagline, too: Florida Gators – Finish the Mission; Florida State Seminoles – Fear the Spear; Virginia Tech Hokies – Good Guys Wear White; TCU Horned Frogs – Never Back Down; Ohio State Buckeyes – Earned; Oklahoma Sooners – Stake Our Claim; Texas Longhorns – It Only Takes Eleven; LSU Tigers – Cochon De Lait; Missouri Tigers – Beast Mode; Miami Hurricanes – The U Knows

Nike’s Pro Combat uniforms are said to be 37% lighter than current designs and utilize a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water. Additional features include Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, evaporation and cooling zones, more padding zones and improved ventilation and breathability. Players will also wear Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves (see above) and Nike Zoom Air cleats that are light weight and feature better cushioning in the heel. Below you will find a more detailed picture of FSU’s uniform:

Tags: Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, Maryland Terrapins, Miami Hurricanes, Missouri Tigers, Nike Pro Combat, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Longhorns, uniforms, Virginia Tech Hokies

CLICK HERE FOR THE UPDATED STORY INCLUDING PICTURE OF FULL UNIFORM!

Rumors have been circling over the last few weeks that the Florida Gators would be unveiling a special uniform for one of their final two home games of the 2009 season. Two sources close to OGGOA have provided us with exclusive information regarding the Gators special uniforms, including a picture of the gloves that will be worn for the game.

Last week, OGGOA received images of brand new Nike Pro Combat uniforms that the Florida State Seminoles plan to wear on Nov. 21 against the Maryland Terrapins. These uniforms will be worn by the Seminoles, Gators and eight other teams to promote Nike’s new line. Each team has its own tagline, too:

Florida Gators – Finish the Mission; Florida State Seminoles – Fear the Spear; Virginia Tech Hokies – Good Guys Wear White; TCU Horned Frogs – Never Back Down; Ohio State Buckeyes – Earned; Oklahoma Sooners – Stake Our Claim; Texas Longhorns – It Only Takes Eleven; LSU Tigers – Cochon De Lait; Missouri Tigers – Beast Mode; Miami Hurricanes – The U Knows

While OGGOA has yet to come across pictures of Florida’s uniforms for the game, below you will find a picture of Florida State’s. Nike’s Pro Combat uniforms are said to be 37% lighter than current designs and utilize a four-way stretch twill that does not hold sweat or water. Additional features include Nike’s Dri-FIT technology, evaporation and cooling zones, more padding zones and improved ventilation and breathability. Players will also wear Nike Vapor Trail 2.0 gloves (see above) and Nike Zoom Air cleats that are light weight and feature better cushioning in the heel.

Tags: Florida State Seminoles, LSU Tigers, Maryland Terrapins, Miami Hurricanes, Missouri Tigers, Nike Pro Combat, Ohio State Buckeyes, Oklahoma Sooners, TCU Horned Frogs, Texas Longhorns, uniforms, Virginia Tech Hokies