Who needs this game more?
by Pat Dooley
Well, game day is here. Finally.
It seems like a year ago that Florida dismantled Florida State in Tallahassee and it seems like a month ago that we arrived here in New Orleans.
It has been a typical bowl trip. A lot of writing, a lot of watching football and a lot of stories being told while sitting in hospitality suites.
In other words, another good experience for your intrepid reporters. I’m a big fan of bowl weeks because of all of the above. And sometimes I have to stop and think about how lucky I am not only to have a job like this but to be covering a team that always goes bowling.
During the week, we’ve gotten a feel for the two teams and their coaches. I think Florida is ready to go. So is Louisville. So I don’t think you’ll see either team come out flat.
Here’s a question for you — which coach needs the win more?
For Charlie Strong, it would be a statement game. Just getting here was a statement, but beating a team that was this close to the national title game would almost be enough to turn Louisville into a football school.
Will Muschamp knows that a loss to end this season wouldn’t ruin what these Gators did but it sure would put a big ink stain on it. Even though Florida fans aren’t overly excited about this game judging my ticket sales, a 12-1 season would still be viewed as a tremendous accomplishment.
I was asked this the other day — is Florida back? And my answer was?
Kind of.
What this team did against the schedule it played was pretty amazing. I said before the season that this was an 8-4 team, but a handful of guys made big jumps from 2011 to 2012.
I like what Florida has coming back next year but football is a sport where a handful of plays have to go your way to have a big season. Look at it this way — Steve Spurrier has done an unreal job at South Carolina but he hasn’t been to a BCS bowl game since he left Florida.
Anyway, enjoy the game. And Happy New Year to all.
Pat Dooley shot an 85 at Augusta National. Tripled the 18th. Other than that, there’s not much to tell. Great wife, two beautiful daughters. Been at The Sun since 1987 and worked in Jacksonville and Fort Lauderdale before that. Spent a year in Storrs, Conn. Actually, it was only five days but it seemed like a year. Likes Tom Petty, The Beatles, Weezer and long walks on St. Augustine Beach as long as they end at the Beachcomber. Reads every e-mail except those sent with Russian alphabet. Favorite sports are college football, college basketball, golf and cooking chili.
Submit Your Comments