The decade of the ’00s for the University of Florida’s football and men’s basketball teams has been the greatest in school history. Each has a pair of national titles to boast of. Each has had many huge win streaks and big time wins this decade. And with one month to go before the end of the decade, each was undefeated and flying high. Then December hit.
On the day of the SEC Championship Game, Florida was 12-0 in football and ranked #1. The basketball team was 8-0 and ranked #11. That was on December 5th. Here we are on December 24th and neither team has won a game since. A combined 20-0 has turned into a four game losing streak. The football team suffered a devastating loss to Alabama and a major PR hit when star linebacker Carlos Dunlap was arrested for DUI. After the ‘Bama game UF also lost defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to Louisville where he will become the Cardinals’ head coach. The basketball team has suffered losses to Syracuse, Richmond and South Alabama as well as sustaining injuries to several key players. Then there is also the rumors that Austin Rivers, a prized 2011 recruit, may be wavering.
Florida’s fan base has had so much to cheer about the past few years it has almost caused a mass panic in Gainesville among the faithful. Message boards are imploding with disgruntled fans wondering if the reign of the Gators is all over. The truth is that reigns like the Gators’ have rarely been seen in the college sports world and are never going to last for very long. The Gators’ run in these two sports has been truly remarkable. And while the run of National Titles may be over for now, I believe UF will be just fine. The question is, will the UF fans become too spoiled to realize it.
But I for one will be glad to see 2010 get here. I’m hoping it gets off to a good start in New Orleans. This will go a long way to jump starting the next decade. The football and basketball programs are in better shape at the start of this decade then they were at the start of 2000. But aw we all know a lot can happen in ten years. Hopefully, we’ll be here ten years from now reflecting back on another decade of championships for both programs. It’s still great to be a Florida Gator.
By: James Folsom
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bigger they are the harder they fall. I’m over it. With recruiting shaping up to a top 5 in the nation (scout.com) I think we’ll be just fine. I personally look forward to getting back to a more traditional style QB. I’m 100% behind John Brantley. I can’t wait to see him take the reigns. Tim, for all his faults, had an interesting history. I’ve followed Florida Football since 1980 and Tim did not fit the mold (nor did Danny Wuerffel for that matter). He has a quirky throwing style and I think after his concussion he became too tentative on the run. His rushing TD record is fantastic, but doesn anyone else think it’s odd a QB holds the record? I think it has more to do with short yardage TD’s than how Herschel Walker earned the title. Recall the shock of Spurrier’s announcement to leave. We had a few down years and then two more national championships. In my 30 years of watching Florida Football it has grown every year. As long as the University continues to provide the best college education in the state, the loyalty will remain, the gator nation continues to grow and we’ll be forever a winning football program. Merry Christmas to all Gators. Beat Cincy
I am also excited for the new decade. Maybe Brantley will be the one who emerges from Tebow’s shadow to lead us into another dynasty that will make it easier to mention Florida in the same breath as other great football programs. Alabama may be the rival that defines us in the upcoming years. I think Brantley will lead us on the continuing path of greatness. I am uncertain as to who will lead us on defense, but that may depend on which defensive coordinator we hire.
These types of blogs make me more interested in the subject.