Florida-South Carolina: The Gators Have A Gift For The Ol' Ball Coach

It's still a touchy subject for every Florida Gators fan who walks the halls of the University. It's still a touchy subject for every Gators fan who is across the country earning their keep. And this weekend, it's time for us to get some retribution for the sins of our former coach.

Steve Spurrier gave us his word that he would not coach anywhere except for Florida, but after he choked in D.C., he came crawling back to the SEC. So when Ron Zook was a bust in Florida, we were all ready to bring him back in the hopes of claiming another national title. What does he do? He decides to take Lou Holtz's job and become the new head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks.

So why should we show any respect to the man who gave us the shaft? The answer is simple: We won't. Unlike our rivalries with LSU and Georgia, this is like battling Florida State two weeks early. We know that it's possible that two of the three teams on our schedule have the tools to keep us out of the BCS Championship. And we're intent on making sure that it doesn't happen.

With that said, it's time to focus on the task at hand.

How Florida's Offense Beats SC's Defense

Tim Tebow has been Superman all season, but he's even more Man of Steel-like since that loss to Ole Miss. Even with one loss, I believe that Florida is a stronger one-loss team than Texas. All it takes is three big wins to ensure our spot in the BCS Championship Game. Tebow has all the tools to lead this team to a huge victory over Spurrier.

Spreading the ball out and the long ball have been big factors in Florida's victories this season. Last week, Florida used the rushing attack to destroy Vanderbilt's chances of an upset. But Tebow's legs and arm that ensured victory for the Gators. This will be a great battle when the #1 defense in the SEC battles the #1 offense in the conference.

How Florida's Defense Beats SC's Offense

Two Words: Brandon Spikes. The phenom has been a beast on defense, and quarterbacks are in fear of this guy when he's covering their best wideouts. On paper, Florida has one of the best defenses in the league. The Gators are ranked fourth in the country on defense, allowing 11.9 ppg and allowing almost 300 ypg. Those numbers may sound a little high, but when you've faced the likes of Hawaii, Miami, LSU and Georgia, those numbers get a little more meaning.

The Gamecocks are used to offensive power. That's Spurrier's forte. The Cocks manage to get 335 ypg, but the Gators only give up 11.9 ppg while the Gamecocks get 24.0 ppg. If the Ol' Ball Coach is up to his old ways, expect him to air it out every chance he gets. These Gamecocks are not the same team that Florida is used to beating every season. They have a little more motivation this time around. They know that they're one of the teams that can shatter Florida's hopes for a national championship appearance. But in order to do that, they have to stop a potent offense and a stout defense.

The Verdict

South Carolina may be motivated for being the second team to upset Florida in Da Swamp, but Florida knows that if they can beat South Carolina, they are sitting pretty heading into a shootout with Florida State. Florida has yet to be tested since Ole Miss, and they are looking for a dogfight against the Gamecocks.

Tebow's Heisman Stock continues to rise, and everyone is looking forward to a showdown between Texas Tech and Florida for the BCS Championship. But even the Gators know that they can't celebrate just yet. With three big games left on their slate before Bowl Selection Sunday, Florida has to do what is necessary to ensure that they get a spot in the championship.

I see South Carolina being a challenge for the Gators, but I don't see them winning this ball game. It might be close at halftime, but Florida has enough talent to pull away in the second half. For Florida it will be one down. Three to go.

Final Score: Florida 45, South Carolina 27