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

- Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer said Thursday that senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes is “50-50″ (questionable) for Saturday vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs. Meyer also said junior defensive lineman Justin Trattou is officially out.

- Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen is campaigning for a record attendance at Scott Field on Saturday. He also told reporters that he spoke with Florida senior quarterback Tim Tebow by text message Thursday afternoon.

- According to Rivals, quarterbacks coach Scot Loeffler “spent almost an entire day last week” scouting four-star dual-threat QB recruit Devin Gardner – a Michigan Wolverines commitment.

- Five-star offensive lineman recruit Seantrel Henderson, the No. 1 prospect in the nation, has delayed his visit to the University of Florida until December because of scheduling difficulties. Florida is one of six top programs vying for his services. (Rivals)

- Freshman wide receiver T.J. Lawrence is expected to miss a few weeks after having his meniscus scoped Thursday. “[Lawrence] is getting close,” Meyer said. “He had a couple good weeks.”

- The Gators coaching staff are big fans of four-star safety recruit Tony Jefferson, who wishes to visit Gainesville, FL, for the Florida State Seminoles game in November. However, Florida is reluctant and most likely will not have Jefferson visit because they want to satiate five-star S commit Matt Elam. (Rivals)

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Devin Gardner, Florida State Seminoles, Justin Trattou, Matt Elam, Michigan Wolverines, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Scot Loeffler, Seantrel Henderson, T.J. Lawrence, Tim Tebow, Tony Jefferson, University of Florida, Urban Meyer

1 » OGGOA has been reporting all week on the match-up of Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer and new Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen, Meyer’s former offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach. Florida Today points out that most are overlooking another familiar face, Bulldogs assist. coach/running game coordinator and former Gators tight ends/asst. offensive line coach John Hevesy. “I was real close to Hevesy,” Gators tight end Aaron Hernandez said. “We basically consider each other as family. It will be a little weird, but we won’t be thinking about it when we’re playing.”

2 » While Florida concentrates on Mississippi State this week, another set of Bulldogs are already setting their sights on the nation’s No. 1 team. On a Bye, the Georgia Bulldogs‘ next opponent is the Gators at the World Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party in Jacksonville, FL. Talking about the game, quarterback Joe Cox said his team has not planned any excessive celebrations like two years ago. “No,” Cox said smiling, “I don’t think we want to kick off from the 7.” On potentially beating Florida, Cox said Georgia needs to show “passion.” He continued, “We need to get a couple of big plays as a spark and then keep it going.” On stopping the Florida offense, defensive tackle Jeff Owens said the Bulldogs must hit Gators quarterback Tim Tebow low. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution says Owens was more colorful but decided not print his quotes as head coach Mark Richt “was nervous about them providing bulletin board material.”

Tags: Aaron Hernandez, Dan Mullen, Georgia Bulldogs, Joe Cox, John Hevesy, Mark Richt, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Tim Tebow

Over the last two weeks, OGGOA has reported on the slow and steady depletion of starters on the Florida Gators defensive line. The unplanned lack of depth is getting increasingly worrisome with senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes hampered by groin and Achilles tendonitis injures, further softening the middle of the defense.

Defensive tackles redshirt junior Lawrence Marsh (ankle), redshirt sophomore Jaye Howard (knee), junior Justin Trattou (biceps tendon) and redshirt junior Brandon Antwine (shoulder) lead the interior of the line – and all four are either questionable or doubtful for Saturday evening’s Mississippi State Bulldogs game. In their stead, redshirt freshman Omar Hunter and junior Terron Sanders filled in admirably against the Arkansas Razorbacks, both being named to head coach Urban Meyer’s Champions Club.

With four of six tackles potentially out for the game Saturday, Florida has scratched and clawed in order to find some depth in senior Troy Epps (who has played so rarely it took me five minutes to find a picture of him in action), redshirt defensive end Earl Okine and junior DE Duke Lemmens. Egads!

Defensive line coach Dan McCarney updated the status of his unit: “It’s day-to-day on Howard, don’t know on him. Marsh is day-to-day, I’d say he’s doubtful. I’m hoping he gets back next week. Earl Okine, we’re working in at tackle. Omar Hunter or Tank Epps can play in there at nose or tackle. Duke Lemmens can jump in there at tackle if we needed him to. I can only coach the guys who practice. We’ve got to get those guys ready. We’re thin right now, but we were still able to win an SEC game here (last Saturday) with four of my six guys that didn’t play.”

The best part of that quote, unfortunately, is that Epps’ nickname is “Tank.”

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Brandon Antwine, Brandon Spikes, Champions Club, Dan McCarney, Duke Lemmens, Earl Okine, Jaye Howard, Justin Trattou, Lawrence Marsh, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Omar Hunter, Terron Sanders, Troy Epps, Urban Meyer

Florida Gators seniors, middle linebacker Brandon Spikes (groin, Achilles tendonitis) and defensive end Jermaine Cunningham (groin), both sat out practice on Tuesday. On Monday, head coach Urban Meyer told reporters Spikes is probable for Saturday’s game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Meyer confirmed on Tuesday that both Spikes and Cunningham are probable, so one would assume they were just being given extra time to rest and rehab.

Also off to the side on Tuesday were redshirt sophomore defensive tackle Jaye Howard (knee), junior DE Justin Trattou (biceps tendon) and redshirt junior DT Lawrence Marsh (ankle). Meyer said he is hopeful that Howard will be able to play Saturday, while Marsh and Trattou both remain doubtful.

As far as players who have already been ruled out for the 2009 season, freshman wide receiver Andre Debose (hamstring) is expected to be able to participate in spring practice while sophomore left tackle Matt Patchan (torn ACL) has been ruled out but should be able to return for summer practice.

Additional note: Offensive coordinator Steve Addazio, speaking to reporters about his running backs after Tuesday’s practice, noted that he was becoming more and more impressed with the play of redshirt junior Emmanuel Moody. It was noted that Moody saw limited action Saturday because the Arkansas Razorbacks were forcing runs to the edges while Florida prefers to run Moody up the middle. However, Addazio added as a caveat that he also had two other good tailbacks (alluding to sophomore Jeff Demps and redshirt sophomore Chris Rainey) on the team.

Special thanks to Jeremy Fowler of the Orlando Sentinel and Ben Volin of the Palm Beach Post for some of the information contained in this post.

Tags: Andre Debose, Arkansas Razorbacks, Brandon Spikes, Chris Rainey, Emmanuel Moody, Jeff Demps, Jermaine Cunningham, Justin Trattou, Lawrence Marsh, Matt Patchan, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Steve Addazio, Urban Meyer

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

- On behalf of Nissan, America receives one official vote in the Heisman Trophy selection process. Cast yours for Florida Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow here.

- For their game against the Florida Gators on Nov. 14, the South Carolina Gamecocks will be supporting and honoring the United States military by wearing camouflage uniforms.

- Did you know the Gators football team has not won a game in Starkville, MS, since 1985? In four road games against the Mississippi State Bulldogs since that year, Florida is 0-4. The team’s last loss at Davis-Wade Stadium served as the nail in the coffin that was Ron Zook‘s Florida head coaching career.

- Florida basketball tips off on Sunday, Nov. 15 at home; but before that happens, the team will be hosting the inaugural Rowdy Fest on Wed., Oct. 21, in the Stephen C. O’Connell Center at 6:30 p.m. Rowdy Fest will be a tip-off party for the team that is held exclusively for UF students featuring members of the men’s basketball team and head coach Billy Donovan.

- University of Florida senior Stacey Johnson was named SEC Female Athlete of the Week for her outstanding performance in cross country at the Pre-NCAA Invitational.

- Last Thursday, OGGOA noted that the Gators would be featured on a limited edition cereal box cover that would be available for both in stores and online. The Official Online Gator Sportshop has begun selling this product now – so go purchase it if you so please.

- Coming off one of its best seasons in the program’s history, the Florida softball team has announced its 2010 schedule.

Tags: Alabama Crimson Tide, Billy Donovan, cereal, cross country, Davis-Wade Stadium, Heisman Trophy, military, Mississippi State Bulldogs, O'Connell Center, Ron Zook, Rowdy Fest, softball, South Carolina Gamecocks, Stacey Johnson, Tim Tebow, University of Florida, Women's College World Series

1 » Florida Gators senior middle linebacker Brandon Spikes was announced as a quarterfinalist for the Lott Trophy honoring the nation’s Defensive IMPACT Player of the Year. The Lott Trophy is the first college football award to equally recognize athletic performance and the personal character attributes of the player. Attributes associated with this award include (I)ntegrity, (M)aturity, (P)erformance, (A)cademics, (C)ommunity and (T)enacity. Spikes has a legitimate shot to win this honor, his second nomination after being named a Butkus Award semifinalist last week.

2 » Mississippi State Bulldogs beat writer Kyle Veazey, of The Clarion Ledger, will speak with OGGOA later in the week. Today, he posted a story going in-depth on the relationship between Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen and Gators senior quarterback Tim Tebow. In fact, while at Florida, Mullen had an open door policy at his home with Tebow; the quarterback was over his house often playing games and eating dinner. On Sunday, Mullen called Tebow “the greatest player in the history of the game.” He continued, “I think Tim Tebow is someone who lives his life trying to improve the lives of people around him. That’s what makes him special.”

Tags: Brandon Spikes, Butkus Award, Dan Mullen, Lott Trophy, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Tim Tebow

1 » In his weekly Monday afternoon press conference, Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer named his Champions Club for the Arkansas Razorbacks game. On offense, linemen Mike and Maurkice Pouncey, Carl Johnson, Marcus Gilbert were honored, as was quarterback Tim Tebow, running back Jeff Demps and wide receiver Deonte Thompson. Defense received less accolades, with linemen Omar Hunter and Terron Sanders and safety Major Wright getting praise. WR Riley Cooper was named offensive player of the game while CB Joe Haden brought home the defensive player of the game honors.

Continue Reading » SIX BITS: Champions Club; Meyer & Mullen; Penalty mistake; SEC awards; Basketball news

Tags: Arkansas Razorbacks, Billy Donovan, Carl Johnson, Dan Mullen, Deonte Thompson, Erik Murphy, Jeff Demps, Joe Haden, Kelly Murphy, Kenny Boynton, Kentucky Wildcats, Major Wright, Malcom Sheppard, Marcus Gilbert, Maurkice Pouncey, Mike Pouncey, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Omar Hunter, Riley Cooper, SEC, soccer, Tahnai Annis, Terron Sanders, Tim Tebow, University of Florida, Urban Meyer, volleyball

For the first time in his career, Florida Gators head coach Urban Meyer will play a game against one of his former assistants who has taken a head coaching job for another team. For the first time in his career, Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Dan Mullen will play a game against the man he had coached under for nine seasons – from 1999 until 2008.

While Mullen’s Bulldogs are not up to the talent level of Meyer’s Gators, the former coach’s familiarity with his old offense could prove an equalizer come Saturday night. Meyer has already expressed his concern regarding Mullen’s knowledge of his schemes, players and signals.

“Some things are very alarming that we are going to cover in great detail today or tomorrow,” Meyer told reporters Monday during his weekly press conference. His opponent does not think it is that big of a deal. “Even though we know them, I don’t think it’s a huge advantage,” Mullen said.

What Mullen does think is a big deal is the high-profile game against the No. 1-ranked team in the country. “This is the game of the year in Mississippi,” he said. “When [former Gators dazzler and ESPN sideline reporter] Erin Andrews shows up on your campus to cover a game, I guess you’re playing the big game of the week.”

Tags: Dan Mullen, Erin Andrews, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Urban Meyer