Urban Meyer's sudden announcement preceding the Sugar Bowl was supposed to wreck the Gator's recruiting class.  Someone apparently forgot to tell Pennsylvania native Sharrif Floyd. 

Floyd, playing in today's US Army All American Bowl, announced his collegiate choice at half time of today's game.  The 6'3", 310-pound defensive tackle has played this game as a man among boys.  Almost unblockable, Floyd has dominated the line of scrimmage and I for one will be shocked if he does not receive the Defensive Player of the Game.

If a player of Floyd's stature is not afraid to bail on the Gators, why are the in-state players bolting on the Gators?  While negative recruiting will take a toll on Meyer's staff, apparently the damage will not be as bad as many UF fans originially feared.

Urban Meyer's tenure as head football coach of the Florida Gators has ended.  Meyer, citing health and family reasons, announced earlier today that he would be stepping aside following the Gators Sugar Bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats. 

With the departures of:
Urban Meyer
Defensive Coordinator Charlie Strong (to Louisville)
Wide Receivers Coach Billy Gonzales (to LSU)
and a rumored number of UF players (some are saying as many as 19) declaring early for the NFL draft ... where do the Gators go now?

Florida coach Urban Meyer has suspended DE Carlos Dunlap for the SEC Championship game.  In a program that has been riddled with arrests during his tenure, Urban Meyer has done the right thing.  While the coach could have put the player above the team and 'allow the justice system to run its course', Meyer did not hesitate to send a message to his players.

Unlike in past incidences, Meyer did not suspend one of his best players for a menial game nor did he only suspend Dunlap for the first half.  Meyer has suspended Carlos Dunlap indefinitely while the athletic department and University gathers more information.

Reviewing the judge's statements, will this violation go deeper than a simple case of underage drinking?  While that is doubtful, according to ESPN's Chris Low:

The Florida Gators opened up as 5.5 point favorites over the Crimson Tide of Alabama for the SEC Championship game.  This game will be played December 5th. 

What Does the Point Spread History Show about the SEC Title Game?

Nike has produced new Pro Combat Uniforms for the Florida Gators.  These new uniforms are state-of-the-art in design ... other than aesthetically.

According to Nike, the uniforms are approximately 37% lighter and offer superior protection over previous uniforms.  Nike did not include the ugliness ratio on the new uniforms.

Apparently Nike wants the Gators to beat the FSU Seminoles in a uniform that would be best suited inside of a P.T. Barnun & Bailey Circus act.

Personally, I do not care for the helmets nor the jerseys (especially the stripes on the shoulders).  The pants (from the front) look o.k., but what is the deal with the white mesh on the back?

What do you think about the Gators' new uni's?

View the entire photo gallery on GatorCountry.com

OK, hope this twig I am standing on with my 230 pounds doesn't snap.  Let's get out on the edge of this limb and hope that reading HailMaryJane.com hasn't gone to my head.  Here is the semi-unofficial SEC East Prediction (Early Summer Practice) Edition.  Of course, like the rest of the sites out there, we would most likely make a better league prediction around... oh say, December 8th or so.  I do feel fairly confident in these picks; however, UF has a tough row to hoe by running from wire to wire.  In the past, I have been guilty of lacking confidence in my boys, so I hope that I am not the jinx for them.

1. Florida
2. Georgia
3. Tennessee
4. Kentucky
5. South Carolina (tie with Kentucky or reverse the order)
6. Vanderbilt (I can't get this wrong two years in a row, can I?)

• Florida:  has had plenty of off the field issues to keep them distracted this year.  Urban Meyer has shown a more over bearing stance towards some former players (read:  Shane Matthews) and fans alike.  Couple this with the fact that Dan Mullen is now @ MSU and Percy Harvin is no longer there (he 'won' at least two games last year).  Gators do return 18 starters and that can not be ignored.    The offense does need an explosive player to step up to replace Harvin.  Does the Preseason #1 ranking curse bomb the Gators or do they run this thing wire-to-wire? It would be difficult not to pick this team in Pasadena on January 7th.
• Georgia is sitting exactly where Mark Richt wants them to be; off of the radar.  Our preseason #11 team is not being mentioned by hardly anyone and that is not a good thing.  Can Joe Cox be this team's Tee Martin and play well enough not to beat his own team? If so, the 8 returning defensive starters (+7 offensive) could make a move.  The only obstacle is the schedule; we've ranked it as the toughest.  If UGA travels to OSU on 9/5 and lays an egg.....
• UT:  NO ONE knows what the hell this team is capable of.  The mass exodus of back-up players indicates that Kiffin will play as many freshman as possible.  No freshman in the country is more important to his team than #1 recruit Bryce Brown.  UT was held below 100 yards rushing 5x last season and only averaged 123 yards rushing per game.  For UT to be successful, this team must carry the rock for at least 160 yards per game.  It sounds easy, but keep in mind that the O-Line is HORRIBLE, especially the tackles.  The Vols showed NOTHING during the Spring game (pure vanilla), so this team could potentially suprise some teams.
• South Carolina:  The Ole Ball Coach is pretty much spinning his wheels.  A 7-6 team only returns 11 starters.  Running the ball is paramount to success.  Last year, SC was held below 100 yards rushing EIGHT TIMES.  The Gamecocks were 7-1 in games in which they were favored, but only covered the spread four times out of seven.  South Carolina can ill afford to give up 39 sacks again this season.
• Kentucky:  Another team searching for a rushing attack.  6x the Wildcats were held under 100 yards rushing.  Look for Sophomore Randall Cobb to primarily play receiver this year (that is the plan at least).  Mike Hartline will be pushed for playing time by incoming star Morgan Newton.  Will UK achieve a 4th consecutive bowl bid? It could happen and improving on last year's fantastic 2-6 league mark should be a given.....or is it?  The Cats lost Jeremy Jarmon and that will definitely leave a mark.
• Vandy:  Last year was Vandy's first winning season in 26 years and they still had a 4-4 SEC mark.  17 returning starters sounds good, the league's #11 defense and #12 offense doesn't sound so good.  Vandy willed themselves to victory in at least 2 games last season and faded down the stretch finishing 1-6.  This team will not repeat last season's 5-0 start and will be no better than 2-3 when they travel to play Army.