Kickoff: 12:21pm
Weather: Sunny, 88 degrees, 30 percent chance of rain.
Television: SEC Network (Ft. Myers, WXCW; Gainesville, WOGX; Jacksonville, WJXT; Miami, WSFL; Orlando, WOFL; Pensacola, WJTC; Tallahassee, WCTV; Tampa, WTTA; West Palm Beach, WFLX)
Series History: First meeting
Line, O/U: Florida -16.5, 50 O/U
When you go out for drinks, there is this one guy you sort of know who will come by and say hello. He seems ok, so you exchange pleasantries. Well, now when he sees you out, he tries to hang out with you and your friends. You think, "Whatever, the guy is harmless." Then you turn around and see this guy trying to get with your girl. What do you do?
You punch him in the mouth is what you do.*
USF fans look at this game as their chance to hang out with the cool people, to use our analogy. While the number of UF alumni and student tickets for sale demonstrate that the Gators' fanbase looks at USF like FIU or FAU, the Bulls are a commuter football school in name only. For some reason, the Bulls have been able to collect the castoffs of the Big Three and other Southern schools to create a decent football program. Quarterback B.J. Daniels could play for an SEC team. The USF defensive line has two JuCo transfers who slipped past powerhouses. Even coach Skip Holtz, in his first year at USF, could be coaching at a brand name school with his pedigree and experience rebuilding East Carolina.
Unfortunately for USF, the Gators are much more sophisticated than their fans and recognize the talent the Bulls have. The other problem for USF is that they don't have the depth the Gators have. That ultimately should be the difference in today's game. Whether it is Sam Robey backing up Mike Pouncey at center, Chas Henry for Caleb Sturgis or Matt Elam subbing for Will Hill, Florida has too many bodies.
So here's to hoping that Pouncey can snap the ball correctly, UF's defense can contain Daniels' scrambles, and UF's offense can execute basic plays. After UF does that, punch these guys in the mouth and look for the dude at the bar with a Dale Earnhardt mustache and wearing bright orange. He is next week.
Alligator Army will be watching the game at the home office in beautiful Northwest Hillsborough. Follow us here or on the twitter @AlligatorArmy for our witty commentary and absurd analogies.
*Alligator Army does not encourage violence. Besides, you should be playing enough defense to prevent annoying guys from hitting on your girl.