JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Georgia made a fashion statement Saturday. Florida just made a statement.
The Bulldogs warmed up in their traditional red helmets and silver britches. Then they went into the locker room, where black pants and black helmets awaited. The barking half of the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party crowd roared as the GothDawgs took the field, but recent history suggests the Georgia fans would have been better off walking out of the stadium at that moment to resume imbibing. Remember, Georgia staged a much-ballyhooed Blackout last year to commemorate a visit from Alabama. The Crimson Tide celebrated the occasion by rolling to a 31-point lead and
Meanwhile, the Bulldogs' uniform gambit was just duh. First, in an age of increased concussion awareness, it appears coaches took the irresponsible step of allowing their players to wear helmets they hadn't practiced in all week. Beyond that, if Georgia's coaches spent more than a second in the past two weeks considering what uniforms the Bulldogs should wear, then they owe the university a refund on their wages. That is, of course, unless they concocted this little fashion show during their university-mandated furlough days during their off week between Vanderbilt and Florida.
"After the Alabama game, we felt like we should shelve [the black uniforms] for a while," Georgia coach
It's probably not fair to criticize Richt's fashion sense. After all, if the Bulldogs had pulled off the upset, we would have praised him as the finest clothier since
Tebow made his own fashion choice Saturday. On his eye black, he cited Philipians, chapter four, verses six and seven. The passage opens with a four-word command: "Do not be anxious."
There were anxious times in Gainesville this week. Tebow and star linebacker
So the Gators took out their frustrations on the Bulldogs. After Georgia slashed Florida's lead to 14-10 in the second quarter, Florida kicker
Early in the third, Tebow increased his career rushing touchdown total to 51 with a 5-yard score. That touchdown came after linebacker
If Florida's offense has indeed found a groove to match the dominance of its defense, then the Gators could be on the verge of a late-season run to rival the dominant stretch they played en route to the 2008 BCS title. Last year, Florida needed a loss to Ole Miss to awaken the beast within. Spikes hopes the close calls against Arkansas and Mississippi State were all it took this season. "This team, I think, is going to be a special team," Spikes said. "It's just a feeling you get."
On Thursday, Meyer brought Florida basketball coach
So now that the Gators have played a complete game in all three phases, Meyer should be able to relax. Shouldn't he? "I wish I was comfortable," he said. "I'm not. I've got to learn to be comfortable. But I say this, and I mean it from the deepest part of my heart, I love these guys. ... Are they perfect? I never said that. Not many are. But I tell you what, they come together. They bond together, and they play really hard."
Meyer knows he doesn't need to pull any uniform shenanigans to motivate his players. The Gators don't care about their clothes. They're more concerned with accessories -- especially the ones worn on the fingers. That's why Meyer said he "didn't notice" Georgia's new duds. It's also why Stamper put out his own best-dressed list Saturday night.
"I thought we looked great in all blue," he said.