Lane Kiffin says he has yet to make a decision about where he is going to be coaching football, perhaps as soon as next week. After Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC) doubled up on Mississippi State (5-7, 1-7 SEC) in the Egg Bowl Friday afternoon, Kiffin said he hadn’t made a decision.   “Maybe that surprises you,” Kiffin said at the post game press conference after beating Mississippi State, 38-19. “I’ve got to do some praying and figure this thing out.”   Unless he was lying – anything is possible – Kiffin really didn’t know what he’s going to do today when he announces if he’s staying at Ole Miss or taking another job. If multiple sources are correct, then Florida won’t be part of the decision. Friday night it was being reported by multiple, credible sources that the Gators have withdrawn their name from consideration in landing Kiffin and instead have switched their focus to Tulane head coach Jon Sumrall.   If the reports are true then while the Gators are trying to seal a deal to bring in Sumrall, Lane will be announcing that he’s either going to remain at Ole Miss or taking the vacant LSU job. While many in the LSU camp think it’s a done deal that Kiffin will be coming to Baton Rouge, the situation is complicated. Ole Miss is a mortal lock for the College Football Playoff and could actually wind up in Atlanta in the SEC championship game if Alabama is upset by Auburn today.   Does Lane Kiffin walk away from a playoff team? The Rebels won’t be the favorites in the College Football Playoff but any team with the kind of offensive weapons found at Ole Miss is scary good and certainly capable of making a run at a national championship.   Would Ole Miss allow Lane to coach the Rebels in the playoff if Lane announces he’s leaving? That seems highly doubtful. Is it worth leaving a team you’ve coached for 12 games into playoff contention for another job? No matter how enticing a job at LSU or even Florida might be, there are no assurances of making the playoff in the next year or two.   The Sumrall situation isn’t a thornless rose for Florida. Tulane is 9-2 (6-1 American Conference) with a regular season ending game with Charlotte (1-10) today. The Green Wave are 30.5-point favorites to win the game and face North Texas (11-1, 7-1 American) in the conference championship game next week. Tulane is currently the top-ranked Group of Five team in the College Football Playoff poll, so if the Green Wave win the next two games, they’re in the playoff.   Would Tulane allow Sumrall to coach in the playoff if he had been hired by another school? Is Florida prepared to hire a Group of Five coach from Louisiana – we know how that worked out last time the Gators hired a coach – who may not be in position to take over the program for a minimum of three weeks?   Maybe the best question is the same one that Lane Kiffin has to answer at Ole Miss. Does Lane abandon Ole Miss when the Rebels are mortal locks for the playoff and does Sumrall abandon a Tulane playoff team for another job?   So, here are some questions that demand answers: 1. If Lane Kiffin is still undecided, then why did Florida withdraw? Did he tell Florida no way? Or did Florida feel the necessity to move on rather than be jilted and publicly humiliated by a potential third place finish in the race to lane Lane?   2. If Jon Sumrall can’t leave Tulane for three weeks is Florida prepared for the recruiting fallout?   3. Do the people making the decisions at Florida believe Sumrall can hold a rather decent portion of the current Florida roster together?   4. Is Sumrall strong enough to bring in an exceptional portal class? With the Gators likely to take a powder with high school kids, a strong portal class is a necessity.   5. Do the powers that be think the Florida fan base is going to be excited about an offense that ranks eighth in the 14-team American Conference in both scoring (28.8) and yards per game (412)?   6. If Lane Kiffin decides to leave for LSU, will Ole Miss pursue Sumrall? And what if Lane stays at Ole Miss? Would LSU think Sumrall is a good answer given he’s already coaching in New Orleans and knows Louisiana recruiting?   7. If somehow Sumrall says no to Florida, then who’s next on the list? Is it Jedd Fisch, the Florida grad and former Steve Spurrier grad assistant who is now the head coach at Washington? He’s been the head coach at Arizona and now Washington, two power conference schools, which seems a bit more impressive than two years at the Sun Belt (Troy) and two at the American (Tulane).   What should be concerning to every Florida fan is the Gators are on the verge of settling once again. The Gators had a leg up on landing Lane Kiffin due to the timing of the firing of Billy Napier. Florida should have gone in with an offer Lane Kiffin couldn’t have possibly refused from the beginning and made him say no with enough time that the coaching search could have focused its attention to landing another coach who would be considered a home run hire.   With its resources and the head start it had,  there is no excuse for Florida to be withdrawing from trying to land the hottest coaching name out there and instead settling for a coach whose career record (41-11) is about the same as the last Group of Five coach that was hired four short years ago. With a win today, Sumrall will have three seasons of 10-or-more wins in four years as a head coach. Billy Napier, should you need to be reminded, was 40-12 at Louisiana when hired by Scott Stricklin. Napier won 10-or-more games three years out of four at Louisiana.   And, if Lane Kiffin doesn’t think Florida is a good fit, then why aren’t the Gators making a Godfather offer out there to a top coach with a proven track record? If Florida was willing to pay Lane Kiffin $15 million over 10 years, then there isn’t a top-of-the-line coach out there that wouldn’t crawl backwards to Gainesville for such an opportunity?   When Billy Napier was fired, the promise from Scott Stricklin was to land a power conference coach with a championship track record. Having whiffed on Lane Kiffin – and whether by Kiffin’s choice or Florida’s is irrelevant – why is Florida settling on a coach whose similarities to Billy Napier are frightening?   SEC FOOTBALL Friday’s games No. 16 Texas (9-3, 6-2 SEC) 27, No. 3 Texas A&M (11-1, 7-1 SEC) 17: The Aggies might not make it to Atlanta for the SEC championship game, but they will still make the College Football Playoff. Most likely they won’t get a first round playoff bye but will host a first round game. As for Texas, the Longhorns might make a great case to get in the playoff even with three losses. What probably keeps the Longhorns out is that loss to Florida.   No. 4 Georgia (11-1, 7-1 SEC) 16, Georgia Tech (9-3) 9: Georgia probably moves up to No. 3 in the CFP top 25. The Bulldogs are mortal locks for the playoff but to get a first round bye they’ll probably have to win the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Georgia Tech needed to upset Georgia to have a shot at the playoff.   No. 6 Ole Miss (11-1, 7-1 SEC) 38, Mississippi State (5-7, 1-7 SEC) 19: The Rebels are locks for the playoff and they still have a chance to make the SEC championship game if Auburn upsets Alabama.   Today’s games Florida State (5-6) at FLORIDA (3-8, 2-6 SEC) LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC) No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) at Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC) No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at No. 18 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) Missouri (7-4, 2-4 SEC) at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC) Kentucky (5-6, 2-6 SEC) at Louisville (7-4) Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC)

Xaivian Lee had a breakout game against Providence (Photo by Chris Spears) The Xaivian Lee that Todd Golden has been waiting on finally showed up Friday afternoon in San Diego. Mired in a horrendous shooting slump through Florida’s first six games, Lee had a breakout performance against Providence as the Gators (5-2) bounced back from Thursday’s loss to TCU with a 90-78 win.   Prior to Friday, Lee had hit just two of his last 23 shots from the 3-point line and just 7-42 for the season. Against Providence, Lee went 4-9 on threes as part of his best game as a Gator – 20 points, seven rebounds and four assists.   To his credit, he looked like the guy we expected when he joined us in the summer and what we've seen in practice and in one of our scrimmages,” Florida coach Todd Golden said.   Prior to Florida, Lee was a career 37 percent 3-point shooter at Princeton where he averaged 17 points per game the last two seasons.   Obviously relieved by seeing shots finally start dropping, Lee said, “I just feel like I'd been waiting on that for so long. Every game, I'm like, 'This is the game,' and then whatever … I was happy a couple of them dropped today, because that opens up my whole game when I'm making shots. I got loose in the second half and my teammates were finding me when I got loose on screens and getting downhill. Urb [Klavžar] and Boog [Fland] were making shots, too, and that just spaced the floor."   This was a three-pronged guard attack for the Gators, who played the game without Alex Condon, held out for precautionary reasons after taking a hit to the chin in a collision with Rueben Chinyelu in the TCU game. In addition to Lee, Klavzar came off the bench to score 18 points including 3-8 shooting from the 3-point line. Fland scored 17, hitting 4-10 from the 3-point line.   This was a far cry from the Gators on the perimeter in the loss to TCU. The Gators hit 12-33 on threes (36.4 percent), easily their best shooting game of the season.   In addition to making shots, the Gators cut way down on their turnovers. Against TCU the Gators turned the ball over 19 times which the Horned Frogs converted into 22 points. The Gators turned the ball over early against Providence, then settled down and did a good job of taking care of the ball the rest of the game.   “Four turnovers in the first four minutes, then four in the last 36,” Golden said. “Absolutely a difference-maker for us.”   Fland (6 points) and Lee (3) were quiet in a first half in which Tommy Haugh and Chinyelu each scored 11 points while Klavzar chipped in with 10. The Gators made their first two 3-pointers then went 2-12 the rest of the half, settling for a 45-36 lead at the intermission.   Things changed in the second half starting with Lee hitting back-to-back threes that jump started Florida offensively. Once Lee starting making shots, Florida became a far more complete team, the kind that Golden has envisioned all along.   “We tell our team every time, you do the things that don't require talent, we'll worry about the rest later,” Golden said. “And he [Lee] was guarding, he's been rebounding for his position and he's been taking care of the ball, so we've given him a long leash to stay out there and get comfortable. As I said before, when he's able to give us offensive punch like he did today, we're a different team. It obviously raises our ceiling quite a bit."   The ceiling has been raised quite a bit by Klavzar, who has hit 13 of his last 28 3-point attempts (46.4 percent). When Lee and Fland are able to make shots, the floor gets spaced and that creates more open shots for Klavzar.   "He's really getting comfortable, becoming a really good player. He's making really good plays. I just think he's coming into his own, and he's getting comfortable. Listen, when our guards play like that, we're going to be pretty dang good because our frontcourt's really good."   Lee, Klavzar and Fland combined for 55 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists.   Haugh finished with his second double-double of the season, scoring 16 points while grabbing 12 rebounds and handing out five assists to go with a blocked shot and a steal. Chinyelu posted his fourth double-double of the season with 13 points and 10 rebounds.   If there was an area of concern for Golden it was the fouls. The Gators were whistled for 26 in the loss to TCU with two foul outs. Against Providence, the Gators were called for 21 fouls. Haugh, Chinyelu, Micah Handlogten and Isaiah Brown were all called for four fouls.   “So after yesterday's game, last night and today, stressed two things that we really wanted to make a big jump in,” Golden said. “That was (a) take care of the ball and (b) defending without fouling. We were one for two.”   The Gators are off until Tuesday when they travel to Durham to play Duke.

We are still alive in The Swamp, the world’s largest outdoor sandbox with 90,000 playmates. In Florida, not Mississippi. You talk about grateful!   Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble When you're perfect in every way I can't wait to look in the mirror I get better lookin' each day — song by Mac Davis   Making a play on those words as a Thanksgiving message for Gators fans weary of Lane Kiffin …   It’s hard to be thankful when you’ve been played in every way by Lane Kiffin, like Yo Yo Ma’s cello. This waiting is wearisome. It ’s like waiting in line at Baskin-Robbins behind 20 people for a half hour while some guy tries to decide between Chocolate Jamoca and Cherries Jubilee — and then says,“hang on, I might go vanilla.” Several of my closest and best informed friends keep insisting it’s a done deal and it will be “leaked” Friday afternoon. I’m having a hard time buying that.   Even though it’s not officially done, I’m just about done! This ain’t Bog Holler State College in Mudcat Landing, Mississippi. This is the proud Gator Nation at the University of Florida. We would do well to remember that and be grateful of it this Thanksgiving Day 2025 and stop with the whining and coach envy. Do you think the spirit of Notre football died when Knute Rockne was killed at 43 in the 1931 crash of his plane in Bazaar, Kansas?   We are still alive in The Swamp, the world’s largest outdoor sandbox with 90,000 playmates. In Florida, not Mississippi. You talk about grateful!   You ever notice how every time Florida swings and misses on the latest miracle-working, hair-gelled coaching savior, half the fan base acts like the university just got demoted to intramurals?   Kiffin blinks twice in the direction of Oxford and suddenly Gator fans are wandering around like it’s the end times, mumbling about “blown opportunities” and “lost destiny,” as if the school library just fell into a sinkhole.   News flash, Gators: This ain’t your first rodeo in the Almost Hired Hall of Fame. Florida’s been flirting and striking out since back when coaches wore fedoras and smoked on the sideline.   Bobby Dodd supposedly gave the Gators a wink before sending us his defensive coordinator Ray Graves, then stayed put and kept winning at Georgia Tech.   Ara Parseghian was one handshake from Gainesville before fate and Notre Dame pulled him north.   Lou Holtz was practically parked in HBC spot before he chose to try the NFL.   Florida has whiffed several times. The program did not slide into Lake Alice. And here’s the punchline: It turned out fine.   Florida didn’t shut down Ben Hill Griffin, and turn the place into a pickleball complex. Nobody made The Swamp into Bass Pro Shops. It’s still sacred ground. Instead, the Gators stumbled into a few decent consolation prizes. Like Steve Spurrier flinging it around the yard and Urban Meyer stacking trophies like they were Solo cups. Those weren’t exactly participation ribbons.   So now along comes another episode of “Coach Dreamboat Won’t Call Me Back,” featuring Kiffin as the one that got away.   Some Gator fans are carrying on like missing Lane is the seventh seal. Relax. If history proves anything in Gainesville, it’s that the ones you miss don’t get statues, and the ones you actually hire give you rings, headlines and a few nervous breakdowns along the way. Hang tight, Gator fans. The sky isn’t falling, it’s just another losing November.   You’ve struck out on bigger names than Lane Kiffin before and still found your way back to the top of the mountain. Missing Mr. Wonderful is not Armageddon. (He went to Shark Tank anyway.)   This is just another soap opera in the SEC. As The Gator World Turns. Florida fans, good lord, grab a glass of sweet tea and calm your collective selves.   You’d think missing out on one “golden boy” coach meant the Gators had to shutter the program, bulldoze The Swamp and hand the SEC over to Georgia in perpetuity. As in the past, when the Gators kept right on winning, losing, brawling and bragging, the show will go on. Just like we’ve been doing since leather helmets first started popping.   There is this matter of time which becomes an issue for seniors who have been hanging onto hope for a fourth natty since Urban Meyer did it in 2008.   Maybe Lane would have produced it, maybe not. Things cannot be preordained – just ask Brian Kelly. But perhaps for those generations who lived off the fumes of “Wait ‘Til Next Year,” we can just edit one word and make it “Wait ‘Til Next Generation.”   PS We’ve got until Saturday. Do you mean there’s still a chance? Guess not!

Three SEC schools. One winner. That’s what the courtship of Lane Kiffin is all about. If we believe everything that’s out there either in print or on the broadcast waves, Lane will put an end to all the speculation sometime after 6 th -ranked Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) faces off with Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC) in the Egg Bowl (12 noon, ABC).   The choices are (1) remain in Oxford where the Rebels will be in the College Football Playoff should they come away with a win at the school Ole Miss fans call Moo U; (2) take the job at LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC), which has a Saturday date in Norman with 8 th -ranked Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC); or (3) take the job at Florida (3-8, 2-6 SEC), which plays arch-rival Florida State (5-6) Saturday at The Swamp (4:30 p.m., ABC).   If he elects to remain at Ole Miss, both LSU and the Gators will be in scramble mode. So much attention has been given to landing Kiffin that nobody has a clue about a backup plan. Surely, there is one.   Isn’t there?   Ole Miss fans seem resigned to Kiffin reinventing himself at either LSU or Florida. The big question will be whether the Ole Miss admin allows Kiffin to continue coaching the Rebels through the College Football Playoff. General consensus among media types is that it would be foolish although Matt Hayes of USA Today seems to be the lone dissenting voice who favors Kiffin leading the team into its first ever playoff.    If Kiffin goes, who would Ole Miss select? Among the popular names are Jon Sumrall, the head coach at Tulane, and South Florida coach Alex Golesh, who may or may not have a deal to coach Arkansas. Sumrall has drawn considerable attention from Auburn faithful, particularly since he cut his head coaching teeth at nearby Troy.  There is also the boy genius, Charlie Weis Jr., Lane Kiffin’s 32-year-old offensive coordinator. Is he ready to be a head coach? Figure someone is going to think so relatively soon.   LSU is interesting. In what seems to be a desperation attempt to earn Kiffin’s trust, LSU announced Wednesday that it has formally fired Brian Kelly without cause and will pay him the $54 million and change it owes him. Kelly lawyered up. If he had taken LSU to court the damage settlement could have been far more than $54 million. It’s difficult to imagine Jimmy Sexton (Kiffin’s agent) agreeing to any deal with a school with something like that hanging over it. It is entirely possible it’s a case of too little, too late.   But what if it isn’t? LSU has a rabid fan base and has a recent history (2019) of winning a national championship. Recent history is certainly on LSU’s side. Even though Kelly didn’t win a national title, he did win 34 games in three-plus years. Florida, meanwhile, has had four losing seasons since 2020 and six since 2013.   If LSU doesn’t land Kiffin, Sumrall is right down the road at Tulane. Joe Brady, who was the offensive genius behind the 2019 national title, calls the plays for the Buffalo Bills.   And finally, there is Florida. It has been very quiet on the Florida coaching search front. While media types seem to think Florida finishes third in this three-horse race, there are some confident former Gators who believe strongly that Lane comes to Gainesville. And this is for reasons that go beyond all the ties to the University of Florida and the longtime admiration of Steven Orr Spurrier.   Florida needs a home run hire. Lane Kiffin is a grand slam.   There are some rumors out there that Southern Cal’s Lincoln Riley and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney are available if Florida calls. Maybe those aren’t home runs, but maybe standup triples. Jedd Fisch, the head coach at Washington, keeps having his name thrust into the Florida search. He’s a Gator alum, bestest of buds with Philadelphia Eagles executive VP and GM Howie Roseman, and he worked as Spurrier’s grad assistant for two years. Fisch has also resuscitated nearly dead programs at Arizona and now at Washington.   So will the Gators win this battle to hire Lane Kiffin? Whether he chooses Florida or chooses Ole Miss or LSU, the news will almost certainly dwarf the Florida-Florida State game. The Gators and Seminoles come into the game with losing records. That hasn’t happened in decades. FSU could get a bowl game with a win, but Seminole fans aren’t exactly enamored with the idea they could play in the Boca Raton Bowl. They aren’t exactly enamored with HBC Mike Norvell either, but they can’t afford to fire him without a massive alumni call for garage sales and bake sales to raise sufficient cash.   It is Senior Day at Florida and the Gators can go out with a win for whoever the head coach will be. The Gators are favored by 1.5 points, a slim margin for sure, but the way the media is going all-in for LSU, it’s the kind of squeaker that this kind of season deserves. Win with Lane and a win over FSU will cause celebrations that last long into the night. The pick: Florida. On both counts.   SEC FOOTBALL Today’s games No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) at No. 16 Texas (8-3, 5-2 SEC): The Aggies last won a national championship in 1939. That was back in the days when the Associated Press picked its national champ BEFORE the bowl games. Somehow, the voters picked the Aggies even though Tennessee shut out all 10 of its regular season opponents. The Aggies weren’t that bad. They shut out six of their regular season opponents and went 10-0 as well. This year the Aggies have a chance to finish the regular season unbeaten and with some luck in Atlanta and in the College Football Playoff win a national championship that no one will call into question. Texas has incentive, too. Beat the Aggies and it’s entirely possible the Longhorns can leap past several teams and become a 3-loss CFP team. The Aggies should win this one. The pick: Texas A&M   No. 4 Georgia (10-1, 7-1 SEC) at No. 23 Georgia Tech (9-2): If Alabama loses Saturday, Georgia could make it to Atlanta. Not that this game will matter in that regard, but Georgia is hot right now and Georgia Tech is not. Pitt killed the Tech defense. Georgia will do something similar. The pick: Georgia   No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC): Oh my, the game that everyone in three states will be watching. LSU thinks Lane Kiffin will be coming to Baton Rouge. Florida thinks Lane will be coming to Gainesville. Ole Miss folks are praying he stays in Oxford. Meanwhile, Mississippi State would like to play spoiler. Beat the Rebels and maybe they don’t make the College Football Playoff. Beat the Rebels and maybe they spoil a celebration in Baton Rouge and Gainesville. Beat the Rebels and State fans can make reservations for the tractorcade that will take them to either the Weedwacker in Shreveport or the Birmingham Bowl. In either case, if they lose they are required to stay an extra week. No problem. Shreveport and Birmingham are resorts compared to Starkville. Doesn’t matter, though. The pick: Ole Miss   Saturday’s games LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC): If LSU wins the Lane Kiffin sweepstakes, then the Tigers will be most inspired in Norman. Doesn’t matter. LSU’s offense sucks and the Oklahoma defense is smothering. Oklahoma is accustomed to winning ugly and this promises to take ugly to new levels. But, remember, ugly is in the eye of the beholder. An ugly 10-2 in Norman is beautiful in the eyes of Sooner fans. The pick: Oklahoma   No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) at Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC): Kalen DeBoer is hanging on by a thread here. Lose and it’s two straight non-playoff, non SEC championship game seasons. Lose to Auburn and Bama fans have to live with it for an entire year. They take hatred to unprecedented levels in the great state of Alabama. Meanwhile, Auburn has scored 100 points in its last two games after scoring 201 in the first nine games of the year. Interim DJ Durkin has opened up the offense and he’s starting Deuce Knight, the QB of the future and a dual threat, just the kind of QB that gives Alabama fits. Alabama is only a 5.5-point fave, not what you would expect for the nation’s No. 10 team going against a team with a losing record. Can we have the kind of upset that has Bama fans holding their chests and telling Elizabeth they’re coming home? Absolutely. Could DJ be the next Auburn coach? Absolutely. The pick: Auburn   No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at No. 18 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC): This is Vanderbilt’s Super Bowl. Win and the Commodores remain in the hunt for the College Football Playoff, although they’ll need some help. Win and Diego Pavia almost certainly gets invited to New York for the Heisman ceremonies. Win big and Diego just might win the whole damn thing. Win and it’s the first 10-win season in Vandy history. It’s Senior Day in Knoxville, but the Vols aren’t going anywhere except to a bowl game in Florida. The Vols can talk about all the what might have beens in the world, but it doesn’t change the fact they are a decent team but nothing much to write home about. Incentive is a wonderful thing. The pick: Vanderbilt   Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC): Eli Drinkwitz signed a contract extension to stay at Mizzou. He’ll bring in a cool $10.7 million per. Arkansas, meanwhile, was jilted by North Texas coach Eric Morris, who picked Okie State over life in Hog Heaven. There are reports that Alex Golesh of South Florida will be the replacement for Sam Pittman but the AD says nothing has been signed, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, Drink is 7-0 against unranked teams. Arkansas has lost eight straight. Make it nine. The pick: Missouri   Kentucky (5-6, 2-5 SEC) at Louisville (7-4): This is a must win for Mark Stoops and Kentucky. Beat Louisville and the Wildcats are going bowling. More important, beat Louisville and Stoops is almost certain to be gainfully employed at Kentucky next year. The Wildcats are capable of playing very well. They’re also capable of stinking it up (see last week against Vandy). Speaking of stinking it up, Louisville has gone from CFP contender to in the tank the last three weeks. The trend will continue. The pick: Kentucky   Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC): Amid speculation that he’s going to pull up stakes and find a new home after all these years and two national championships at Clemson, Dabo Swinney finds himself needing a win to ensure the Tigers avoid their first losing season since 2010. That’s incentive enough for the Tigers, who are 11 points away from 9-2 and winners of their last three. Like Clemson, South Carolina was supposed to be good this year. They’ve lost four winnable games. Lots of turmoil in the South Carolina camp because Shane Beamer is certain to overhaul his coaching staff. The pick: Clemson

Urban Klavzar drills a 3-pointer (UAA Photo) The numbers to remember about Florida’s 84-80 loss to TCU in the Rady Children’s tournament in San Diego: 26, 1-14 and 19. As in 26 personal fouls, 1-14 in 3-pointers not shot by Urban Klavzar and Tommy Haugh and 19 turnovers.   The fouls were epidemic. Boogie Fland and Xaivian Lee fouled out; Rueben Chinyelu and Haugh both had four; Klavzar had three. The Gators sent TCU to the foul line 33 times where the Horned Frogs made 24. In the second half, TCU was almost automatic – 15-17 – so whenever the Gators fouled it was like giving the Horned Frogs two easy points. While the Horned Frogs got to the line early and often in the second half, the Gators shot only six free throws (made five).   The Gators finished the game 8-29 from the 3-point line. Klavzar, who finished the game with a career-high 20 points, went 4-7 from deep. Haugh, who matched Klavzar with 20 points went 3-7. Everybody else threw up enough bricks to qualify for a union card.   The turnovers were converted into 22 TCU points, eight points in the first half, 14 in the second.   It was the turnovers that bothered Todd Golden the most.   “ I thought  we did a horrendous job taking care of the basketball,” Golden said after the 10 th -ranked Gators (4-2) played their poorest game of the season. “Played well enough at points to get ourselves a 10-point lead with 15 minutes to go, even without playing that well, to be honest. But we were valuing the ball and making good decisions. The last 15 minutes of the game, we did a terrible job that way, and I thought our defense was really poor in the second half giving up 57 percent from the field.”     Calling the defense poor is probably giving it more credit than deserved. After holding TCU to 13-33 shooting in the first half, the Horned Frogs were 15-26 in the second. Try 15-21 if you erase the oh-fer from the 3-point line. TCU couldn’t land a three in the second half, but it’s not like threes were necessary.   TCU simply beat the Gators off the bounce, got into the lane and made a lot of easy 2-point shots. Think back to Arizona in game one. The Wildcats did the same thing.   In the immortal words of the late, great Yogi Berra, “ It's like déjà vu all over again."   As unhappy as Golden was with the turnovers, he was nearly as upset with the way the Gators executed their half court defense.   “I thought we had some really poor mental execution of the scout,” Golden said. “We got cut by [Jace] Posey a number of times. He’s a guy that we thought we made it pretty clear what he’s best at, which is rim pressure and cutting – a guy that hasn’t taken a three – and he killed us. We got cut a couple other times, missed some block-outs late. Just did some things that are controllable, and those are the areas we try to focus on. Again, it goes back to the turnovers and not being tough enough limiting their opportunities in the second half.”   Between the turnovers, missed threes and shoddy defense, the Gators missed opportunities to put the game away. The Gators held a 44-39 lead at the intermission but after giving up the initial two of the second half, they went on a 9-2 run for a 53-43 lead with 15:14 left in the game.   Over the next 5:01, TCU outscored the Gators 17-6, taking the lead at 60-59 on a turnaround jumper in the paint by Jayden Pierre. In between the two Alex Condon free throws that gave the Gators a 10-point lead, Florida missed a pair of threes, committed two shooting fouls and turned the ball over three times.   The Gators had a mini-run in them when they outscored TCU 7-1 for a 74-68 lead with 5:29 to go. Klavzar accounted for five of the points on a three from the corner off a Micah Handlogten offensive rebound and a pair of free throws. Condon dunked off a pass from Haugh with 5:29 to go.   Florida seemed in control once again, but once again the Gators couldn’t get stops when they needed them. TCU outscored the Gators 9-0 over the next three minutes for a 77-74 lead with 2:43 to go. Three layups and three free throws did the trick.   The Gators seemed defenseless to stop the Frogs in the paint and if they weren’t giving up layups, they were fouling which TCU turned into points at the line. During that run the Gators went 0-2 from the 3-point line, turned the ball over twice and committed two shooting fouls.   Even with all those issues, this was a game the Gators could have pulled out but winning at crunch time means taking care of the basketball, playing some defense and making some shots. TCU committed a shot clock violation and a walking violation but the Frogs went 5-6 from the foul line in the last 13 seconds. The Gators, meanwhile, turned the ball over twice, committed four fouls including one offensive and one flagrant, and 1-4 from the 3-point line.    Shall we say Golden was not amused?   “We just had some egregious decisions and some plays where we simply don’t value the ball very much,” Golden said. “Again, talking to the team, that was kind of what we addressed. We’re going to be able to determine and dictate how this season goes to an extent, but the first things are obviously we need to do a better job taking care of the basketball. That can’t be a thing for us for the rest of the year.”   When the Gators take care of the ball, play some defense and make shots down the stretch, they are as good as any team in the country. Perhaps better.   However, when they play as poorly as they did against TCU, they’re in for some tough stretches, which Golden told them post game.   “That was the message: we’ve got to do a better job taking care of the basketball,” Golden said. “We’ve got to understand that for us to be our best, we’ve got to be a gritty, hard-nosed, tough team that doesn’t allow a team to shoot 57 percent on us in a half. It’s got to be who we are, and if we’re unwilling to execute those things it’s going to be a tough year. It’s going to be up and down depending on how we shoot the ball, and that so far has obviously been an issue for us.”   Game notes: Despite a size advantage, the Gators were outscored in the paint, 44-34. Florida came into the game the nation’s No. 1 rebounding team but the Gators managed only a 31-28 advantage … Florida hit 17-26 of its 2-point shots (65.3 percent) but just 45.5 percent overall (25-55) … Haugh had 20 points, five rebounds, one steal and one blocked shot … Klavzar was 6-8 shooting overall (4-7 from the 3-point line) and 6-6 from the foul line … Chinyelu scored 13 and pulled down nine rebounds, Fland had 12 points, two assists, one rebound, blocked shot and three steals … Condon had eight points, eight rebounds and a career-best eight assists.   The Gators will face Providence (4-3), a 104-83 loser to Wisconsin, at 3 p.m. Friday on FOX.

Jadan Baugh needs 96 yards to reach 1,000 (Photo by Chris Spears) The Florida Gators (3-8) will attempt to salvage whatever dignity remains of a football season gone south Saturday (4:30 p.m., ESPN2) when Florida State (5-6) rolls into Gainesville, needing a win to make a bowl game.     It is up to interim coach Billy Gonzales to sell the Gators on incentives. Even though this is a rivalry game that shouldn’t require incentives for the Gators to be emotionally prepared, the Gators had that beat down look about them last Saturday night when Tennessee essentially ran the clock out rather than put a 50-point whomping on UF.   There is no greater incentive for the Gators than the imminent coaching change. For those willing to stick it out for the new head guy whether it’s Lane Kiffin or someone else, this game should be considered an audition. The same goes for those who aren’t willing to wait for the new guy. The portal awaits along with NIL money. Nothing diminishes value like the look of a player giving a half-hearted effort, especially in a game that has the emotions and traditions like one of the top in-state rivalries in all of college football.   Hire the right coach and it could encourage many of the talented players on Florida’s roster to remain rather than see if the grass grows greener somewhere else. Injuries and bad coaching decisions have doomed the Gators to a losing record. There is a lot of talent on hand.   Another incentive is Jadan Baugh, who has run for 904 yards and six touchdowns. Florida hasn’t had a 1,000-yard rusher since Kelvin Taylor ran for 1,035 yards in 2015. He will be going against an FSU run defense that gives up 125.91 yards per game and just 3.33 yards per carry.   A Florida win would also damage Alabama’s College Football Playoff chances. FSU beat Bama in the season opener. Beating FSU would ensure a losing season for the Seminoles, therefore weakening Alabama’s resume.   MATT HAYES ON THE LANE KIFFIN SITUATION Matt Hayes, the Jacksonville-based college football expert who writes a national column for USA Today weighed in on the Lane Kiffin situation at Ole Miss, noting that “Ole Miss, longtime afterthought in the SEC, is willfully torpedoing what could be the greatest season in school history.” Florida wants Lane to coach the Gators. LSU wants him in Baton Rouge. Ole Miss wants Kiffin to say whether he stays or goes after Friday’s Egg Bowl game against Mississippi State.     Hayes writes, “Ole Miss wants to move on like a jilted lover if Kiffin decides he’s moving onto LSU or Florida. But why?  Why would Ole Miss willfully prohibit Kiffin, who gives the Rebels the best chance at advancing deep in the playoff, from coaching the team? And give it to quarterbacks coach Joe Judge, whose last tenure as head coach included 10 wins in two seasons with the New York Giants. ”   Hayes makes a valid point. Barring a loss to Mississippi State, Ole Miss is a mortal lock to make the playoff. Ole Miss is good enough to win games in the playoff and that would be enticing for whoever it is that follows Kiffin – in the event that he leaves Oxford, of course. Minus Lane as the head coach, Ole Miss could flame out early.   This is a dilemma, for sure, but by demanding an answer Friday, Ole Miss may have already pushed Lane out the door.   College Football Playoff top 25: 1. Ohio State 11-0; 2. Indiana 11-0; 3. Texas A&M 11-0; 4. Georgia 10-1; 5. Texas Tech 10-1; 6. Oregon 10-1; 7. Ole Miss 10-1; 8. Oklahoma 9-2; 9. Notre Dame 9-2; 10. Alabama 9-2; 11. BYU 10-1; 12. Miami 9-2; 13. Utah 9-2; 14. Vanderbilt 9-2; 15. Michigan 9-2; 16. Texas 8-3; 17. Southern California 8-3; 18. Virginia 9-2; 19. Tennessee 8-3; 20. Arizona State 8-3; 21. SMU 8-3; 22. Pittsburgh 8-3; 23. Georgia Tech 9-2; 24. Tulane 9-2; 25. Arizona 8-3   If the playoff were held today: First round games No. 12 Tulane at No. 5 Texas Tech No. 11 Miami at No. 6 Oregon No. 10 Alabama at No. 7 Ole Miss No. 9 Notre Dame at No. 8 Oklahoma   Second round games Tulane-Texas Tech winner vs. No. 4 Georgia Miami-Oregon winner vs. No. 3 Texas A&M Alabama-Ole Miss winner vs. No. 2 Indiana Notre Dame-Oklahoma winner vs. No. 1 Ohio State   RESUME CHECK 1. Ohio State (11-0): Only one win against a ranked team, No. 16 Texas, in game one. 2. Indiana (11-0): A win over No. 5 Oregon, only ranked team on the schedule. 3. Texas A&M (11-0): A road win over No. 9 Notre Dame. No other ranked opponents. 4. Georgia (10-1): Ranked wins over No. 19 Tennessee, No. 7 Ole Miss and No. 16 Texas, a loss to No. 10 Alabama. 5. Oregon (10-1): A loss to No. 2 Indiana and a win over No. 17 Southern Cal. 6. Texas Tech (10-1): Wins over No. 13 Utah and No. 11 BYU. 7. Ole Miss (10-1): Wins over No. 24 Tulane and No. 8 Oklahoma, loss on the road to No. 4 Georgia. 8. Oklahoma (9-2): Wins over No. 15 Michigan, roadies over No. 18 Tennessee and No. 10 Alabama. Losses to No. 16 Texas and No. 7 Ole Miss. 9. Notre Dame (9-2): Losses to No. 12 Miami and No. 3 Texas A&M. Win over No. 22 Pittsburgh. 10. Alabama (9-2): Wins over No. 14 Vanderbilt and No. 18 Tennessee; losses to unranked Florida State and No. 8 Oklahoma. 11. BYU (10-1): Win over No. 13 Utah, loss to No. 5 Texas Tech. 12. Tulane (9-2): Group of Five highest ranked at No. 22. Loss to No. 7 Ole Miss       COUNTDOWN TO FIRING DAY Recycled list James Franklin, Virginia Tech: Didn’t take long for him to be gainfully employed once again.   Extinct Species List Billy Napier, Florida: He is in the short list at Colorado State and the probable next head coach. He was the assistant head coach and QB coach at CSU for Jim McElwain way back in 2013.   Brian Kelly, LSU: Kelly has lawyered up and is going scorched earth against LSU, claiming LSU is making it difficult if not impossible to get another job. This is all LSU needs. They owe Kelly $54.4 million and if he takes this to court damages could be astronomical. If Lane Kiffin takes this job, you have to question his sanity along with Jimmy Sexton’s.   Hugh Freeze, Auburn: Look for Hugh to hit the recycle bin soon at a Group of Five location. Meanwhile, if DJ Durkin springs the upset on Alabama, he could have the interim tag removed.   Sam Pittman, Arkansas: If Dabo Swinney wants the job, it’s his. If he doesn’t South Florida’s Alex Golesh could be the guy.   James Franklin, Penn State: He took a negotiated buyout so he could take the VaTech job. Meanwhile, Penn State players want interim Terry Smith to get the job.   Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State: There are reports that North Texas coach Eric Morris will be the replacement. What happens if North Texas wins the American Conference championship and then is the highest ranked Group of Five team?   Brent Pry, Virginia Tech: He was replaced by his old boss at Penn State, James Franklin.   DeShaun Foster, UCLA: James Madison HBC Bob Chesney is the favorite. Dan Mullen has said no. Jed Fisch is on the short list but he’s got a better job at Washington.   Jay Norvell, Colorado State: The names to watch are Billy Napier and Michigan running backs coach Tony Alford, a CSU alum.   Trent Bray, Oregon State: The Beavers are already in negotiations with fired Cal coach Justin Wilcox.   Justin Wilcox, California: He may be in the recycle bin next week.   Trent Dilfer, UAB: The name gaining traction is Casey Woods, Rhett Lashlee’s offensive coordinator at SMU.   On Life Support Luke Fickell, Wisconsin: He may have bought a year by beating Illinois. Beat Minnesota this week and he’s almost certain to get a year to make good.   Mark Stoops, Kentucky: Just when it seemed he was off the hook, the Wildcats got their doors blown off by Vandy. He desperately needs to beat Louisville.   Dell McGee, Georgia State: He should get the axe after losing to Old Dominion Saturday, the ninth straight loss.   Jonathan Smith, Michigan State: He’s lost eight in a row and goes for No. 9 against Maryland Saturday. It will be an upset if he gets another year.   Endangered Species List Derek Mason, Middle Tennessee: He would be on the Extinct Species List if they could afford to fire him.   Shane Beamer, South Carolina: He will be back next year but he better win or he will be a goner.   Joe Moorhead, Akron: He won three of his last four to finish 5-7. He’ll get another year but he will be on the hot seat. Again.   Sonny Cumbie, Louisiana Tech: He’s 6-5. If he beats Missouri State Saturday he probably gets to lead the Bulldogs into life in the Sun Belt next year.   Jay Sawvel, Wyoming: They are used to winning. He’s had two straight losers. It’s dicey if he gets another year.   HEISMAN TROPHY CANDIDATES Fernando Mendoza, Indiana: His numbers are brilliant – 30 TDP, 5 rushing TDs – but they’re against only one ranked team (Oregon). His comeuppance could be Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game.   Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt: He might be the most deserving candidate, but he’s from Vandy and Vandy has never had anyone on the Heisman podium. The numbers are outstanding – 2,924 passing yards for 26 TDs, 661 rushing yards for six more – but if Vandy doesn’t make the playoff getting to the podium in NYC might be it.   Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame: He has run for 1,306 yards and 17 touchdowns while catching 26 passes for 274 yards and three more TDs. What will hurt are his numbers in the losses to Miami and Texas A&M – a combined 33 carries for 127 yards and one TD.   Julian Sayin, Ohio State: He’s completing 79.4 percent of his passes and has thrown for 27 touchdowns. He plays Michigan this weekend. Lose and his chances crash and burn.   Marcel Reed, Texas A&M: The Aggies are unbeaten. Win Friday against Texas and then the SEC championship game and he’s in NYC. Play brilliantly and Mendoza and Sayin lose a game and he could be the Aggies first Heisman winner since John David Crow in 1957. He has thrown for 25, run for eight.

It was such a bad night that the Vols even helped Lagway up. (Chris Spears Photo) A bad night is just not getting hammered by a bitter rival that you were accustomed to beating like a rented mule.  A bad night is when you get “massacred” by 20 points which felt like 200 in a game where you were 3.5-point underdogs, lost your keys and wallet, not to mention your dignity, and then had your state’s highest ranking official hike his leg and urinate all over your pity party. Then you find out your chosen one probably isn’t coming to save you. And this ain’t even the state of Louisiana! No wonder it feels like a voodoo curse! Florida football has finally found a new bottom of the barrel, and Ron DeSantis is standing over the hole like a disappointed uncle who hasn’t been to a game since Tim Tebow learned to shave, announcing to the world that “getting blown out in the Swamp by Tennessee = rock bottom.” Rock bottom? That was three coaches and sixteen buyouts ago. This is whatever comes after rock bottom bedrock, sub-basement, maybe a shallow grave for what used to be a program.​ Sorry Gator Nation, somebody has to say it. And I feel terrible for the Jake Slaughters and Jadan Baughs and DJ Lagways who gave gallant effort in a season of promise that became a Netflix Halloween Horror Show. Slaughter, the All-American, was betrayed by fate and high-level administrative incompetence, plus even snide remarks by the governor who chose an odd time to pile on with his sophomoric platitudes. Only in Florida politics can a sitting governor pause between culture wars to subtweet a football team like a message-board poster with state patrol. He remembers the days when “even someone like Peyton Manning didn’t have a chance against UF in Gainesville,” which is a nice way of saying: “Back when Steve Spurrier was running the ball score up out of pure Christian mischief and Tennessee walked into the Swamp like a condemned man to the electric chair.” Those days are so far gone you need a VHS player and a landline to call them back.​ Now the Swamp is a haunted Airbnb. The sign still says  Welcome to The Swamp , but inside it’s all drafty windows, cold spots and the lingering odor of busted third-down conversions. After next week’s Comedy Central Show with the visiting Seminoles, maybe they should shut it down for early renovation and call the Orkin Man. What about the curse of the thrown shoe? Well, gather round chil’ren. Every good Southern tragedy has an origin myth, and this one wears a size 11. On December 12, 2020, Marco Wilson grabbed an LSU receiver’s shoe, reared back, and sent it end-over-end into eternal football purgatory, drawing a 15-yard penalty that helped LSU kick Florida’s playoff dreams straight through the uprights. It wasn’t just a flag; it was an exorcism in reverse. Whatever soul the program had left went out of the stadium with that shoe.​ Since that moment of aerodynamic stupidity, Florida has suffered the plagues of Job, losing 37 games, and Gator fans have decided there must be a curse — a sort of Bayou voodoo meets Gainesville dumbassery — now canonized as the “Curse of the Thrown Shoe.” In a saner world, maybe you’d blame coaching turnover, soft culture and recruiting malpractice, but this is college football, where people believe in momentum, karma and that some higher power personally cares about your punt coverage.​ The truth is, the shoe didn’t start the fire; it just gave it a name. Under Dan Mullen, the program was already fraying like a cheap visor — roster mismanagement, recruiting laziness and a defense that treated tackling as an elective. The shoe toss was simply the moment the rest of the country noticed Florida had taken its hands off the wheel and started reading its own playoff press clippings.​ Billy Napier inherited that mess, looked at it and decided the solution was to build a “process” so elaborate NASA would’ve asked for a summary. Somewhere between “transformational culture” and “organizational alignment” and “complementary football” non-sequiturs, the team forgot how to block, tackle, or avoid getting humiliated at home, which reared its ugly head again as a Tennessee outfit that used to be Gainesville’s designated homecoming victims returned as Atilla The Hun. This is not rebuilding; this is composting.​ So on this particular cursed Saturday, all the little demons hatched by that shoe came home to roost. Everything that could go wrong did, in ways that would make Murphy himself stand up and sue for defamation. Flags at the worst time, bounces the other way, blown assignments, bad spots, missed chances — it was like watching a three-hour blooper reel with mandatory TV timeouts. Not one call, bounce, or break seemed to fall Florida’s way, and yet every bit of it was self-authored stupidity.​ This is the uniquely modern Florida problem: The Gators aren’t just unlucky; they are industriously, creatively bad. There is a difference between being beaten and volunteering. This bunch volunteers (lower case v). They jump offsides on 4th-and-1 like it’s jury duty. They miss tackles like it was mandatory. They commit back-breaking penalties as if they’re trying to keep Marco Wilson’s memory alive in the most literal way possible.​ And lurking over everything is the most tedious ghost of all: The Lane Kiffin fantasy. Every time Florida face-plants, a certain faction of the fan base fires up Photoshop, slaps Kiffin in Gator gear and dreams of a future where the offense scores so fast nobody notices. Kiffin? “He ain’t comin’. Book it,” is the one honest sentence in the whole saga. If, by some twisted multiverse logic, he ever  was  coming, the shoe curse and LSU’s rise scared him off like a cat being stalked by Curiosity with a Smith ‘n Wesson.​ Because that’s the final insult of the Curse of the The Thrown Shoe: LSU not only beat you in that game, they marched off into the future, scooping up our would-be coach while Florida stayed behind arguing over which coach, AD, or long-snapper to blame. The curse is not that Wilson threw the shoe. The curse is that the program never recovered. Which is why it’s called a curse.​ They all left town and poor Billy Gonzales was Next Man Up Holding the bag. In his dazed state, Gonzales took the blame for everything from Donald Trump’s tariffs to global warming, but in his infinite wisdom and profound sense of duty to seek answers, said to his team in his Hallmark Wisdom: “Sometimes life has to break you before you find out who you are.” I love that honesty, more honest than anything Napier ever offered in his empty press post-game ramblings. And it feels very noble until you look at the field and realize life hasn’t just broken Florida; it’s ground the Gators into a fine powder and used them to line Tennessee’s victory cigars. If this is self-discovery, it’s the kind where you realize you’re not a sleeping giant — you’re a loudly snoring mid-tier program living off rental memories of Spurrier and Urban.​ So yes, maybe the Gators are cursed. Not by voodoo, not by bayou magic, not even by the airborne shoe itself. They’re cursed by something crueler and funnier: The refusal to admit that this didn’t “just happen,” that rock bottom was not ignited by a single night in 2020, but an ongoing commitment to half-measures, hero worship and hashtag nostalgia. Not to mention horrible hires for which the class of 2050 will still be paying. The universe didn’t punish Florida when that shoe left Wilson’s hand. It just finally started keeping score. Part of that evenness came to life when on one of the darkest nights in the Gators Universe, Urban Meyer’s greatness was heralded as he was tapped for the prestigous Ring of Honor. It’s been a long time between drinks of Gatorade since that word “honor” has been used in association with Florida football.

(Photo by Loren Meadows) "Did you ever have to make up your mind? Say yes to one and leave the other behind, It's not often easy, it's not often kind Did you ever have to make up your mind?" -- The Lovin' Spoonful, "Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?" He’s staying at Ole Miss. He’s agreed in principle to a deal with LSU and Coach O will be his defensive coordinator. No, it’s Florida. The deal is done and he’s just waiting for the end of the Ole Miss season. Oh, and Coach O will be coming with him. Another done deal. Wait, the Atlanta Falcons are going to go after him hot and heavy. Hold on there. Dabo Swinney has reached out to Florida. So has Lincoln Riley. Dan Quinn is ready to leave the NFL to coach the Gators. Jon Gruden is going to coach Arkansas. Jon Sumrall will be the head coach at LSU, Auburn or, if Lane leaves, Ole Miss.   That is one hour worth of commentary I got Sunday afternoon. As one sage text message cowboy told me, “Everybody has an opinion and opinions are just like rectums. All of them stink.”   So here is an attempt to separate a bit of fast fiction from common sensical truth.   1. This will not be a bidding war. Jimmy Sexton has laid out the amount of money it’s going to take to land Lane, so the contenders have already flashed their cash. It is NOT going to be about the amount of money, but it will be about who Lane Kiffin and Jimmy Sexton trust.   2. I believe it will come down to Florida and Ole Miss. I believe if Lane Kiffin trusts the people who write the checks for Florida, then he will be a Gator next year. If he doesn’t trust them, he will remain at Ole Miss where he trusts the AD, Keith Carter.   3. I do not believe Scott Stricklin will have the final say in this matter. He may be one voice, but he won’t be THE voice although he will be the spokesman for the group.   4. I do NOT believe he will be going to LSU and it will come down to trust. LSU fired a coach who had won 29 games in three previous seasons, had a 5-3 record at the time he was fired, and has since tried to renege on the buyout money. How do you trust people like that? You don’t.   5. Wherever Lane is coaching next year, Coach O will be coaching with him.   6. Just say no to the pros. Ain’t gonna happen.   7. Dabo is not happy at Clemson. He could have the Arkansas job with a phone call. He’s represented by Russ Campbell and Patrick Strong of Balch Sports. They have let it be known that if UF were interested in Dabo, he would be most happy to listen.   8. As for Lincoln Riley, the words to Jimmy Buffett’s “Come Monday” say it best. “California has worn me quite thin …” He’s available.   9. The Gators could do far worse than Dan Quinn, once Will Muschamp’s defensive coordinator and now coach of the Washington Communists. Dan’s OC is Kliff Kingsbury, a fine coordinator but a so-so head coach. Let him call plays and he’s just fine.   10. Jon Gruden will coach somewhere. He could be closing in on the job at Florida Atlantic.   11. Jon Sumrall is best positioned to make a great leap forward. Figure he will be coaching in the SEC next year. It is a matter of where not if.   12. Things set up well for the Gators to land Kiffin, but patience is required. Circus poodles will jump through fewer hoops but when an announcement is made, Florida should be in very good shape.     Associated Press top 25: 1. Ohio State 11-0; 2. Indiana 11-0; 3. Texas A&M 11-0; 4. Georgia 10-1; 5. Oregon 10-1; 6. Ole Miss 10-1; 7. Texas Tech 10-1; 8. Oklahoma 9-2; 9. Notre Dame 9-2; 10. Alabama 9-2; 11. BYU 10-1; 12. Vanderbilt 9-2; 13. Miami 9-2; 14. Utah 9-2; 15. Michigan 9-2; 16. Texas 8-3; 17. Virginia 9-2; 18. Tennessee 8-3; 19. Southern California 8-3; 20. James Madison 10-1; 21. North Texas 10-1; 22. Tulane 9-2; 23. Georgia Tech 9-2; 24. Pittsburgh 8-3; 25. SMU 8-3   AFCA Coaches top 25: 1. Ohio State 11-0; 2. Indiana 11-0; 3. Texas A&M 11-0; 4. Georgia 10-1; 5. Oregon 10-1; 6. Ole Miss 10-1; 7. Texas Tech 10-1; 8. Oklahoma 9-2; 9. Notre Dame 9-2; 10. Alabama 9-2; 11. BYU 11-1; 12. Vanderbilt 9-2; 13. Miami 9-2; 14. Utah 9-2; 15. Michigan 9-2; 16. Texas 8-3; 17. Virginia 9-2; 18. Tennessee 8-3; 19. Georgia Tech 9-2; 20. Southern California 8-3; 21. James Madison 10-1; 22. North Texas 10-1; 23. Tulane 9-2; 24. Pittsburgh 8-3; 25. SMU 8-3   SEC FOOTBALL (Associated Press rankings) No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC): Alabama makes the SEC championship game with a win over Auburn, but a loss in the championship game would torpedo Bama’s chances of making the College Football Playoff. How would two straight seasons with three losses and not making the playoff sit with Bama fans? Saturday: at Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC)   Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC): The difference between 2-9 and 8-3? Arkansas has lost six games by six or fewer points. Saturday: Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC)   Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC): Auburn is a mere 5.5-point underdog to 10 th -ranked Alabama. With freshman Duece Knight at quarterback Auburn thinks it has a legitimate chance. In his first start against Mercer, Knight accounted for 401 yards of offense (239 passing, 162 rushing) and six touchdowns (2 passing, 4 rushing). Should Auburn spring the upset the Tigers will make a bowl game and there is a very good chance interim head coach DJ Durkin sheds the interim label. Saturday: No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC)   No. 4 Georgia (10-1, 7-1 SEC): Backup O-lineman Nyier Daniels was arrested and charged with multiple felonies after fleeing from police in Commerce, Georgia Sunday. Friday: at Georgia Tech (9-2)   Kentucky (5-6, 2-5 SEC): The Wildcats managed only 31 rushing yards and 315 overall in their loss to Vanderbilt … Beat Louisville and the Wildcats are going bowling. Saturday: at Louisville (7-4)   LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC): The Tigers eked out a 13-10 win over Western Kentucky from Conference USA. It must have been as interesting as watching paint peel. LSU managed 328 yards of offense, WKU 152. Saturday: at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC)   Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC): Win or lose in the Egg Bowl it’s been a year for improvement for Jeff Lebby and Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have already improved by three wins over last year’s totals. There is a 6-point improvement on both points per game for and points per game against. Friday: No. 6 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1)   Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC): Missouri is 7-0 against unranked opponents, 0-4 against ranked opponents this year … Ahmad Hardy (1,403 rushing yards) is second nationally, 41 yards off the pace. Saturday: at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7)   No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC): The Sooners who lead the SEC in scoring defense (14 points per game) lead the nation in sacks with 41. Saturday: LSU (7-4, 3-4) South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC): The Gamecocks scored 51 points on Coastal Carolina. Since they had the good sense to fire Mike Shula as offensive coordinator, they've scored 81 points. Saturday: Clemson (6-5)   No. 18 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC): The Vols lead the Southeastern Conference in scoring (42.3 points per game) but they’re No. 14 in the league in scoring defense (27.3 per game) … Joey Aguilar is the first SEC quarterback with more than 3,000 yards passing (3,145). Saturday: No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2)   No. 16 Texas (8-3, 4-3 SEC): Despite the early issues, Arch Manning has turned in a good enough season that he will be among the Heisman favorites next year. Manning has thrown for 2,763 yards and 23 touchdowns while running for another seven. Friday: No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC)   No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC): The Aggies are No. 2 nationally in sacks with 39. Cashius Howell leads the Aggies with 11.5 sacks, which is tied for second nationally. Friday: at Texas (8-3, 4-3 SEC)   No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC): Diego Pavia deserves to be on the Heisman podium. He has thrown for 2,924 yards and 26 touchdowns while running for 661 and eight more TDs … If Vandy can beat Tennessee, the Commodores will set the single season record for wins in school history (10). Saturday: at No. 18 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC)   Playoff Possibilities SEC: The Aggies (11-0) are a lock for the College Football Playoff, but they have to beat Texas (8-3) to be assured of the SEC championship game. Alabama (9-2) will make the SEC championship game by beating Auburn, but the Tide could fall from playoff grace if it loses the league championship game. Georgia (10-1) makes the SEC championship game if Alabama loses to Auburn. Oklahoma (9-2) makes the playoff with a win over LSU (7-4). Vanderbilt (9-2) can make the playoff by beating Tennessee combined with an Alabama loss to either to Auburn or in the SEC title game, or with Michigan (9-2) losing to Ohio State. Prediction: Texas A&M, Georgia, Ole Miss and Oklahoma make the playoff. Vanderbilt with a lot of help.   Big Ten: Ohio State (11-0) hasn’t beaten Michigan (9-2) since 2020. The Buckeyes will still make the playoff win or lose, but lose to the Wolverines and they lose the tiebreaker so Michigan makes the league title game. Indiana (11-0) only needs a win over Purdue to cap an unbeaten regular season, the Big Ten championship game and the playoff. Oregon (10-1) has a difficult roadie at Washington (8-3). Prediction: Ohio State and Indiana make the Big Ten championship game and the playoff. Oregon will beat Washington. Michigan won’t make it with three losses.   Big 12: Texas Tech (10-1) and BYU (10-1) are on a collision course to play in the conference championship game. Most experts think Texas Tech can play with anyone in the country. BYU needs to either win the league championship or go white knuckles ina loss for the Big 12 to get two teams in. Prediction: Texas Tech is conference champ but BYU gets in as the second team.   ACC: Virginia (9-2), Pittsburgh (8-3) and SMU (8-3) all have one league loss. Virginia has to finish up with Virginia Tech (3-8) while Pitt has to go to Miami (9-2) and SMU has to visit California (6-5). It should come down to Virginia and SMU in the ACC championship game. Prediction: SMU wins the ACC but nobody else sneaks in.     American: Currently, Tulane (9-2) is the highest ranked Group of Five in the CFP poll, but the Green Wave will have to deal with very hot North Texas (10-1) in the conference championship game. Will either one have a leg up on James Madison if Madison is 12-1 after the Sun Belt title game? Prediction: North Texas goes 11-1 and gets the Group of Five bid.   Sun Belt: James Madison (10-1) has already clinched its division and will face either Troy (7-4) or Southern Miss (7-4) in the conference championship game. The Dukes need to close out their regular season with a win over Coastal Carolina and then win the conference championship to have a shot at the College Football Playoff. Prediction: James Madison goes 12-1 but strength of schedule kills the Dukes making the CFP.   Mountain West: San Diego State (9-2) is the only MWC team with a chance to get the Group of Five bid. The Aztecs still have work to do against New Mexico (8-3) and then the conference championship game which could be Boise State (7-4) or UNLV (9-2). Prediction: San Diego State has a great defense but not enough offense to make CFP voters include the Aztecs even though they will finish 11-2.

(Photo by Chris Spears) “I need your help, Barry Manilow I'm miserable and I don't know what to do Sing me a song, sing it sad and low No one knows how to suffer quite like you” – Ray Stevens, “I Need Your Help Barry Manilow”   Rock bottom. If Florida’s 31-11 loss to 20 th -ranked Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) isn’t rock bottom it’s whatever is close. If you’re a Gator fan you’re suffering about now and you could use some help from Barry Manilow, who has crooned a few sad and miserable songs in his day.   For a team that has battled top ten teams such as Texas A&M, Georgia and Ole Miss to a near standstill, this one wasn’t nearly as close as the score might indicate. Tennessee dominated the first half then pretty much ran out the clock in the final two quarters before a crowd of 90,465 at The Swamp. From the opening kickoff when the Vols marched down the field to score their first touchdown to end a 9-play, 75-yard drive, the Gators looked overmatched.   Tennessee was ahead 21-0 before the Gators even managed a first down. It was 31-0 at the half. The Gators did outscore the Vols 11-0 in the second half, but for all practical purposes, the game was over after Florida’s second play from scrimmage.   Already trailing the Vols 7-0, after the Vols opening drive, it was second-and-14 from the 21 when DJ Lagway found Jadan Baugh wide open in the left flat at the Florida 31. With plenty of green grass ahead, Baugh wasn’t stopped until he was pushed out of bounds at the Tennessee 37, a 42-yard play that had The Swamp rocking.   Instead of a big play that put the Tennessee defense on its heels, however, the zebras threw a flag, calling left tackle Austin Barber for holding. Rather than a first down deep in Tennessee territory, it was second and 24 back at the UF 11. A pair of 2-yard plays – a run by Lagway and a pass from Lagway to Baugh – forced a punt. It would be a long time before the Gators put together anything positive whether on offense or defense.   “It’s hard to dig yourself out of a hole when you have a big play and all of a sudden now you're moving behind the sticks,” Florida interim head coach Billy Gonzales said. “You go back through, and I'm just looking at some of the, where we got the ball, we got the ball on the one drive on the minus-5. And one of the other ones I think we got it a little bit further back as well, too. ”   Tennessee followed that with a 7-play, 60-yard scoring drive for a 14-0 lead with 5:33 left in the first quarter. The Vols would score again with 13:08 left in the half after a 12-play, 67-yard touchdown drive.   Down 21-0, the Gators finally got a first down with 12:28 left in the half after a pair of 6-yard runs by Baugh that put the ball on the UF 37. Three plays later, the Gators faced fourth-and-1 at the 46, Lagway tried the middle of the line but the pile didn’t move and Tennessee took over on downs.   Four plays later, in large part to a 52-yard run by Star Thomas, the Vols went ahead 28-0. They would score again as time ran out at the end of the half on a 26-yard field goal.   “They came out and they scored on the first four drives,” Gonzales said. “Our drives were nowhere near where we needed them to be. ”   After forcing Tennessee’s first punt of the game, the Gators took over at their own six with 4:33 left in the half. Consecutive plays of 14 yards (Lagway to Tony Livingston pass) and 16 on a run by Baugh gave the Gators some breathing room. Two plays later, Lagway broke out of the pocket for a 38-yard gain to the Tennessee 12, but the drive fizzled out. A Lagway run lost a yard followed by an incompletion and a 7-yard sack that moved the ball in reverse back to the 20. Smack came on to try a 38-yard field goal, but he missed wide right, ending a streak of 14 consecutive makes dating back to game two against South Florida.   Florida did put together two second half scoring drives. In the third quarter the Gators forced a punt and took over at their own one. With Baugh carrying six times for 36 yards and passes of 10 yards to Hayden Hansen and 20 to J Michael Sturdivant, the Gators moved to the Tennessee 30 but the drive bogged down.   Smack came on to kick a 46-yard field goal with 2:04 remaining in the third quarter, extending Florida’s NCAA record streak of 472 games since the Gators were last shut out.   In the fourth quarter, the Gators got their only touchdown on a 33-yard Lagway to Baugh pass with 8:15 left in the game. Key plays on the 7-play, 68-yard drive were a 10-yard run by Baugh and a 13-yard pass from Lagway to Hansen.   The Vols outgained the Gators 452-261. Tennessee, which came into the game averaging more than 300 yards per game throwing the ball, only threw 22 passes good for 204 yards and a touchdown. The Vols ran the ball 51 time for 248 yards with DeSean Bishop leading the way with 116 yards for two touchdowns on 24 carries.   Florida’s only real offensive spark came from Baugh, who finished the night with 96 yards on 18 carries to go with two catches for 35 yards and the TD. Baugh has now run for 904 yards through 11 games.   If there is a positive, it is the season will come to a merciful end next Saturday against arch-rival Florida State (5-6) at The Swamp. The Gators are doomed to their fourth losing season since 2020, but they can ensure that Florida State will suffer its second consecutive losing season if they are able to muster up a victory.   SEC FOOTBALL No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) 48, Samford (1-11) 0: The Aggie defense pitched a shutout and allowed Samford only 77 total yards. Marcel Reed threw for three touchdown passes for A&M.   No. 4 Georgia (10-1, 7-1 SEC) 35, Charlotte (1-10) 3: Georgia held Charotte without a touchdown. The UGa defense allowed only seven first downs and 169 total yards.   No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC) 17, No. 23 Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) 6: Oklahoma’s defense shut down the Mizzou offense, holding the Tigers to a pair of field goals as the Sooners inched closer to a berth in the College Football Playoff. John Mateer threw for two touchdowns and Tate Sandell kicked his 22 nd straight field goal for Oklahoma.   No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) 56, Eastern Illinois (3-9) 0: Alabama outgained Eastern Illinois 539-34. The Panthers mustered 14 passing yards and 20 rushing yards against the Alabama defense.   No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) 45, Kentucky (5-6, 2-6 SEC) 17: Diego Pavia made a Heisman statement with 484 passing yards for five touchdowns and another 48 on the ground for a sixth TD responsibility. Tre Richardson caught six passes for 159 yards and three touchdowns.   No. 17 Texas (8-3, 5-2 SEC) 52, Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC) 37: Arch Manning threw for 389 yards and four touchdowns, plus ran for another as Texas handed Arkansas its ninth straight loss. Arkansas actually outgained the Longhorns 512-490.   LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) 13, Western Kentucky (8-3) 10: LSU got a fourth quarter field goal from Damian Ramos that proved the difference in the game as the Tigers went white knuckles against WKU of Conference USA.   Auburn (5-6, 2-5 SEC) 62, Mercer (9-2) 17: Auburn started true freshman Deuce Knight, who threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns while running for 162 and four more touchdowns.   South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC) 51, Coastal Carolina (6-5) 7: LaNorris Sellers threw for 274 yards and two touchdowns plus ran for 82 and two more touchdowns to lead South Carolina.   Next week’s games Friday No. 5 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1 SEC) at Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6 SEC) No. 3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0 SEC) at No. 17 Texas (8-3, 4-3 SEC) No. 4 Georgia (10-1, 7-1 SEC) at Georgia Tech (9-2)   Saturday Florida State (5-6) at FLORIDA (3-8, 2-6 SEC) LSU (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2 SEC) No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1 SEC) at Auburn (5-6, 1-6 SEC) No. 12 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2 SEC) at No. 20 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3 SEC) No. 23 Missouri (7-4, 3-4 SEC) at Arkansas (2-9, 0-7 SEC) Kentucky (5-6, 2-6 SEC) at Louisville (7-4) Clemson (6-5) at South Carolina (4-7, 1-7 SEC)

Urban as Gator Royalty Through the Lens Of A.I

By Carlton Reese GatorBait Media Question: Was there even a game plan for this one? Did the Florida coaches and players watch any film of the Tennessee offense the week prior? To the naked eye, the clear answer to these questions is No. That is certainly giving the Gators the benefit of the doubt, for if they had watched film and had put together a game plan that resulted in Saturday night’s embarrassment, then basic competency comes in to question for all involved. Florida won the opening coin toss and deferred the option, essentially putting Tennessee’s offense on the field first as though some big, bad statement were being made about the confidence in the Gator defense, depleted as it was. Tennessee opted for the run game mainly, but when Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar decided to throw, there were receivers left alone as lepers. Tennessee marched down the field on its first two drives as though it was scrimmaging against its own third-team defense. When Florida took over on offense, it was clear the Vol coaches and players had watched plenty of film and devised a real plan. The Tennessee defenders knew exactly what was coming on every play and the life was sucked out of the Gators midway through the opening period. The Kentucky debacle was Ali-Frazier compared to what transpired at The Swamp tonight. The shame of it all is that The Swamp was electric. That is, until Austin Barber was flagged for holding on a play in which running back Jadan Baugh hauled in a pass and juked his way inside the Tennessee 40. Instead of a strong answer to Tennessee’s opening-drive score, Florida was backed up inside its own 15 with quarterback DJ Lagway dangling on a hook just waiting to be devoured. One might think a lower level Florida could not possibly reach, but there is more granite rock to blast through and that comes next week against a terrible Florida State team. The shame of a loss to a non-talented and seemingly rudderless Seminoles team would make everyone forget the shame of the Tennessee destruction as any defeat, no matter how close, would mark the lowest point in Florida football since Georgia Southern manhandled the Gators on that very same field nearly 12 years to the day. Once Tennessee had taken complete control about three minutes into the game, something else was missing, besides the heart of those wearing blue jerseys. Also missing was the care of nearly 90,000 patrons in attendance and about all 273 people still watching on television as to what the outcome would be. All had mailed it in, as everyone started setting their phone alarms to about 4 p.m. Friday, at which point Lane Kiffin will have given his post-Egg Bowl interviews that could indicate whether or not he is headed to Gainesville next season. There was no drama on the field, even amid desperate attempts to create some. Down 21-0 early in the second quarter, Jayden Woods strip-sacked Aguilar on a play that, statistically speaking, never ends up with the offense retaining possession. This time, it was actually the quarterback who recovered as no Florida defender had the temerity, neh, audacity, to fall on the ball. What could have sparked a small amount of emotion instead set up the Vols for a long run on the next play to the Gator 1. One play later, it was 28-0. When Florida finally put together a drive, fueled by a long run by Lagway, the old Billy Napier playbook came out of retirement. On first down at the Tennessee 12, Lagway ran into the middle of the line on a well-conceived play that lost one yard. That was followed by an incomplete pass that led the receiver too much, a sack for a loss of 7 and a never-had-a-chance miss of a 38-yard field goal attempt by Trey Smack. When Smack finally put Florida on the board with a 46-yard field goal late in the third quarter, the Gators trailed 31-3. Gator fans all know the significance of this score because it has been proven a game is not over. All remember 1994 in Tallahassee when the Gators led 31-3 in the fourth quarter against FSU, yet the Seminoles mustered up a comeback and won 31-31. So, it’s not over at 31-3, but this one was. This 2025 Gator team in no way reminds anyone of that ’94 Seminoles team. The Tennessee Volunteers looked like world beaters Saturday night, but they most certainly are not. Even after what happened at The Swamp, Tennessee is yet to beat anybody. Anybody. They’ve rolled up gaudy offensive numbers against the likes of Syracuse (which only allowed 70 to Notre Dame Saturday), East Tennessee State, UAB and New Mexico State. In their three games this season against good opponents, Tennessee is 0-3. Does this demonstrate just how bad Florida is, or at least was on this night? The Gators fooled Tennessee fans into thinking their team belongs in mention with the game’s heavy hitters. The irony is that Vanderbilt is the juggernaut for Tennessee to finally prove its worth next week. Enough about those guys, though; they don’t matter and haven’t for a very long time. Only two things matter right now to Gator fans: beating Florida State and bringing in the coach for which everyone seems to be pining. On the first point, not Nostradamus, not Kreskin, nor Joyce Brothers could tell anyone what to expect. It’s Senior Night against an in-state rival, so it’s not too much to expect maximum preparation, effort and focus. If Vegas offers any prop bets in this regard, a wise man will stay away. On the second point, it just needs to come to an end. Kiffin enjoys the attention and all the slobbering of Gator fans and boosters – if Florida wants a head coach with an unmanageable ego, it’s doing a great job of creating just that. Come coach the Gators or stay in Oxford; either way, let’s just get it over with already. If Florida’s current momentum is any indication, then be prepared for some more heartache. Normally, a blowout loss to Tennessee tells Florida fans all they need to know about their team, but on this night, no one was told anything they didn’t already know. Tennessee beat up on a weakling and Florida played possum. Tennessee wanted this game, badly – it was symbolic for their program simply because of the logo they were facing and there was no way a 3-7 team with an interim coach was going to match that intensity. When FSU comes to town, it’ll be as though it never happened, perhaps because it never did matter. Don’t worry, everyone – it’s almost over. The nightmare is almost over.