Rather than simply speculate on how Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive will rule on Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer after comments he made about a single play call in Saturday’s Georgia Bulldogs game, OGGOA went straight to the source and acquired the bylaw that is applicable in this situation.

SEC Bylaw 10.5.4 requires that coaches, assistant coaches, players, support personnel and others associated with the institution’s athletics program refrain from public criticism of officials.

Head coaches are advised that suspensions and fines for violations of Bylaw 10.5.4 made by assistant coaches or other support personnel will be enforced against the head coach.

What is important to note is that the amount of the fine and/or the length of the suspension are at Slive’s discretion. In this particular instance, Meyer did not publicly criticize the officials, which is what the rule is about. He actually followed Slive’s instructions almost perfectly by first sending in the video with a complaint through the proper channel. Meyer did make a comment about the play, but he did not criticize. He went out of his way to ensure this by actually propping up SEC officiating both before and after his statement. There is a HUGE difference between what Tennessee Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin said (questioning the integrity of the conference and its officiating) and Meyer’s innocuous comment following-up on a reporter’s question.

Even so, Slive must levy be fined. Not because Meyer violated the rule (he didn’t), but because Slive’s hands are tied and he has no other choice in the matter. He cannot suspend Meyer because that would be completely absurd. Yet he cannot refrain from giving Meyer any punishment because the conspiracy theorists would immediately be up in arms. Meyer will, unfortunately, be a victim of circumstance.

Tags: Georgia Bulldogs, Lane Kiffin, Mike Slive, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers, Urban Meyer

Probably one of the most interesting Florida Gators weekly Monday press conferences took place today with head coach Urban Meyer and senior quarterback Tim Tebow at the helm as usual.

Meyer got right to the altercation involving senior linebacker Brandon Spikes gouging the eyes of Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey, After watching the video and speaking to Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive, Meyer decided to suspend Spikes for the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores on Saturday. “I don’t condone that,” Meyer said. “That’s not who [Spikes] is. That’s not who we are. He got caught up in emotion. He has our full support.”

In support of his teammate, Tebow would later say, “I don’t think that we did anything in that game that they didn’t do. You can see on the film, too. It was an intense game.” Tebow and Meyer both indicated that Spikes had his eye gouged earlier in the game – not that it’s an excuse. Just as OGGOA said.

Updating the status of injured RB Chris Rainey (shoulder), Meyer said his arm remains in a sling making him questionable for Saturday’s game. Do not expect Rainey to play as Florida will probably use the Vanderbilt game to rest injured starters and get reserves extra playing time if the game gets out of hand.

Also of note are statements from both Meyer and Tebow that the Gators offense did not utilize a single no-huddle “banzai” play the entire game. Back to basics, it seems.

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Chris Rainey, eye gouging, Georgia Bulldogs, Mike Slive, SEC, Tim Tebow, Urban Meyer, Vanderbilt Commodores, Washaun Ealey

Covering the Florida Gators as close as I do every day, I often find the need to vent regarding some of the coverage the team receives, what occurs on the field or things that happen as it relates to the Gators. Normally I will express these opinions outside of OGGOA, but on rare occasions like this, I feel the need to put my thoughts into print.

1. Brandon Spikes’ eye gouge incident

Did Spikes eye gouge Georgia Bulldogs running back Washaun Ealey? You bet he did. Does he deserve to be held accountable and handed a suspension and/or punishment for his actions? Of course he does. (He has been suspended for the first half Saturday against the Vanderbilt Commodores.) My issue comes with the media coverage and fan reaction to this incident. Ladies and gentlemen, this is football. If you think that a dozen eye gouge attempts (and worse actions) do not go on every game in piles and at the end of plays – you are kidding yourselves. Spikes’ issue is that he did it where people could see it. He also happens to play for the No. 1 team in the country – a team that is one of the most hated in the nation. People are up in arms about Spikes’ eye gouge like it was as bad as Oregon Ducks’ RB LeGarrette Blount’s post-game punch. It wasn’t. Punishment was deserved. Don’t rake this guy over the coals for feeling he needed retribution for the eye gouges and helmet rip-offs he experienced all game long at the hands of Georgia. At some point, anger and the need for retribution do take over. Even so, there are no legitimate excuses for his actions. He is not the only one at fault here, though he is the only one who will receive punishment.

2. Lil’ Wayne gives Lane Kiffin a shout out on new mixtape [after the jump...]

Continue Reading » CHOMPING: On Spikes, Lil’ Wayne lyrics and Slive

Tags: Brandon Spikes, ESPN, eye gouging, Georgia Bulldogs, Lane Kiffin, LeGarrette Blount, Lil' Wayne, Mike Slive, Oregon Ducks, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers, Tim Tebow, Washaun Ealey

Whether you want to be the first to know what color uniforms the No. 1 Florida Gators are wearing, will be stepping away from the television and need score updates or just want extra coverage and game information in addition to what CBS will provide Saturday afternoon, ONLY GATORS Get Out Alive has you covered. Visit us on twitter for live updates throughout the game: http://twitter.com/onlygators

Additionally, OGGOA has come across a copy of the letter SEC commissioner Mike Slive sent Tennessee Volunteers head coach Lane Kiffin last week following his criticizing of conference officials. Slive verbally smacks down Kiffin big-time here. Could not think of anyone more deserving.

It is your responsibility as a coach to comply with the policies of the Southeastern Conference and to know the football playing rules.

Since it is clear from your public comments that you believe this letter “mean(s) nothing,” let me be equally as clear to you. The next time you, or a member of your staff, make public comments of this nature, you will be suspended from all coaching duties for one or more games, and the institution may be subjected to a substantial fine.

I also remind you that this is your second public reprimand in your brief tenure as Tennessee’s head football coach, and on both occasions, you were wrong about the applicable rules.

Special thanks to The Birmingham News for doing the actual reporting.

Tags: Lane Kiffin, Mike Slive, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers

1 » Florida Gators junior punter Chas Henry was named a candidate for the 2009 Ray Guy Award on Thursday. Given annually to the nation’s top collegiate punter, the award may very well end up on Henry’s mantle. He has yet to allow a single punt return yard in 2009, making the Gators one of only two teams in the country to accomplish that feat. Named the preseason All-SEC First-Team punter, Henry has punted the ball 18 times on the season with 16 not returned and seven downed inside the 20-yard line.

2 » SEC commissioner Mike Slive told The Associated Press on Friday that conference coaches who violate the ethics rules against criticizing officials in public will face a suspension or fine (even for the first offense) instead of public reprimands like in the past. The new rule, which is already in effect, was unanimously agreed upon by the conference’s athletic directors and university presidents, including Florida’s Jeremy Foley and Bernie Machen. The ruling comes on the heels of three SEC coaches being warned in the last two weeks including the Tennessee Volunteers’ Lane Kiffin, Arkansas Razorbacks’ Bobby Petrino and Mississippi Sate Bulldogs’ Dan Mullen. “I was no longer interested in reprimands” Slive told the AP.

3 » Former Florida quarterback Rex Grossman and defensive back Lawrence Wright have been inducted into the 14th Anniversary class of the Florida-Georgia Hall of Fame. They were honored along with Georgia Bulldogs inductees Garrison Hearst and David Pollack. Grossman was 3-0 against the Bulldogs including performances where he went 27-of-35 for 407 yards and two touchdowns (2001, 24-10 victory) and 36-of-41 setting a school record for completions (2002, 20-13 victory). Wright was a Thorpe Award winner who owned a perfect 4-0 record against Georgia and was part of a senior class that claimed four-straight SEC championships and won the 1996 National Championship. He forced two fumbles and recorded a sack against Georgia in 1995.

4 » REMINDER: No. 10 soccer (13-4-2, 7-1-2 SEC) will host SEC East rival No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks (15-2-1, 7-2-1 SEC) TONIGHT at 6 p.m. at James G. Pressly Stadium. The Gators, with 23 points, currently lead the SEC and can take home the regular season title with a win Friday night. If you are in Gainesville, FL, be sure to go out and support them! Admission is FREE!

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Bernie Machen, Bobby Petrino, Chas Henry, Dan Mullen, David Pollack, Garrison Hearst, Georgia Bulldogs, Hall of Fame, James G. Pressly Stadium, Jeremy Foley, Lane Kiffin, Lawrence Wright, Mike Slive, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ray Guy Award, Rex Grossman, SEC, soccer, South Carolina Gamecocks, Tennessee Volunteers

1 » After his performances the last two weeks, Florida Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow has raised doubts in the media and among fans whether or not he deserves consideration for the Heisman Trophy. There seem to be three prevailing thoughts on this issue. One that wants to play a wait-and-see approach, another that looks at the big picture and realizes the Heisman is about more than just a statistics, and a third that thinks he should not even be in contention for the award. Be sure to read the first article in full if you are a doubter.

2 » On that note, some Florida fans have actually expressed their desire to see what this team would be like with John Brantley at the helm instead of Tebow. Two ESPN columnists apparently received numerous e-mails and comments displaying this exact sentiment. I suppose I can see where fans would have this curiosity. But at the same time, it is a pretty ridiculous ideology to have at this point in time.

Two more BITS and a little extra after the jump…
Continue Reading » FOUR BITS: Tebow for Heisman? Brantley better? Bye good for Georgia? Kiffin/Mullen reprimanded.

Tags: Dan Mullen, Georgia Bulldogs, Heisman Trophy, John Brantley, Lane Kiffin, Mark Richt, Mike Slive, Mississippi State Bulldogs, SEC, Tennessee Volunteers, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow

Defending a National Championship is not an easy thing to do. Returning a Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback in senior Tim Tebow and a two-deep defense should have made things easier. But expectations for the Florida Gators to achieve the first undefeated season in University of Florida football history is putting plenty of pressure on those involved in the program.

“A lot of pressure on this team to perform on a very high level — on these coaches, on the trainers, on the weight coaches, on the secretaries, on everyone associated with our program, a lot of pressure — and I love that,” head coach Urban Meyer said. “I feel it around the office. We want to play perfect, because the expectation level is to play at an extremely high level.” While that may be the case, Meyer understands why the expectations are so high. “It’s the Florida Gators, and Florida Gators have high expectations. But that’s why all these kids choose to come here, and that’s why these coaches choose to come here.”

As mentioned earlier, Florida’s two-deep defense was expected to be a strength for the team in 2009. Yet while Gator Nation is making a fuss about the lack of playmakers on offense, it seems to be overlooking the disappearance of playmakers on defense. In 2008, the Gators defense forced 33 turnovers, 24 of which were interceptions. In 2009? Florida has only taken away nine balls – seven interceptions and two fumble recoveries. Yes, injuries have ravaged the unit at this point – most of the defensive front seven is banged up. Nevertheless, the Gators defense must start to make some plays and play up to its capabilities for the remainder of the season.

Slive suspends SEC officials: Southeastern Conference commissioner Mike Slive has suspended the officiating crew from the Florida Gators vs. Arkansas Razorbacks game last Saturday until Nov. 14. “While only a few calls have been identified, the entire crew shoulders responsibility for each play,” Slive said. ” I have taken this action because there must be accountability in our officiating program.” Slive also stated that the officiating in the crew’s last two games has “not been to the standard that we expect.”

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Heisman Trophy, Mike Slive, National Championship, SEC, Tim Tebow, University of Florida, Urban Meyer