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TAMPA - 'Tis the season to be making elaborate New Year's Eve plans. Unless you're a college coach.
Florida's Ron Zook is among those who won't be partying on New Year's Eve, and he couldn't be happier.
"Hopefully, you're not really celebrating New Year's Eve (if you're a coach)," Zook said. "You want to be at work. It's kind of enjoyable to work New Year's Eve."
If you're out on the streets of Tampa on Wednesday night and happen to spot Zook's wife, Denise, don't expect the Gator coach to be with her.
"I probably won't (celebrate)," Zook said. "She might. Usually I'm looking at stuff, but I'm usually not watching tape."
STILL YOUR AVERAGE GUY: Florida's Channing Crowder has started more games at linebacker than any other freshmen in school history. But even after being named the SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year, Crowder says he's still just a regular guy and amazed at what has happened this season.
"I didn't think I would (have this good a season)," Crowder said after Sunday's practice at the University of Tampa. "When the All-SEC team came out, 30 or 40 people called my cell phone saying, "Hey, you made the team.' I didn't even know. I was like, "What'? I thought I did okay, but I helped the team and that's what it's about. When Keiwan (Ratliff, defensive back) and some of the older guys said I came in the LSU game and added a little something to the defense, that's all I care about. I care about the team knowing I'm going to be where I'm supposed to be. That's it."
NO MYSTERY: Even before the Gators began preparations for Iowa, Zook said the players were well aware of the Hawkeyes, more so than the coaching staff.
"They probably had a better feel for Iowa than we did when we first started preparing," Zook said. "They watch ESPN, they watch all that stuff, so they know what Iowa has accomplished. ... They know all about the University of Iowa."
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz, linked to openings with the Atlanta Falcons and New York Giants, was tight-lipped at Sunday's news conference when asked about reports of him possibly leaving for the NFL after this season.
"It's out there, it's going to be out there, that's it," Ferentz said.
Told his answer was vague, Ferentz, the first coach in Iowa history to win 20 games over two seasons, said: "I'm not going anywhere ... hopefully."
In the past, Ferentz has said such reports are a weapon other schools use to recruit against Iowa. He also has had to break down sometimes ridiculous preconceptions about the school.
"We always inform prospects that we have electricity now, we have indoor plumbing, blacktop," Ferentz said, laughing. "Those were the first three things. No, we don't live in igloos. We do take the livestock off the streets every weekend, so when you're coming on a recruiting visit there won't be any.
"Those are the kinds of things recruiters use. Recruiting gets silly at times. People throw anything they can, especially if you're having success."
WISH YOU WERE HERE: After recruiting Chris Leak out of high school, Ferentz is not thrilled by the prospect of facing the Florida quarterback. "It's not a pleasant thought," Ferentz said. "We have such great respect for him but not at all surprised by what he's doing. He's just a tremendous player. Not only can he throw the ball and throw it very accurately, but I think the thing that's most impressive about him, and getting to know him a little bit in recruiting I'm not totally surprised, he's extremely poised, extremely decisive, and I think that's a result of the way he studies the game."
HIM, TOO? Much has been made of Florida's speed, particularly the backs and receivers. But Ferentz said the Gators have an added dimension in tight end Ben Troupe. "We haven't seen anybody like him all season long," Ferentz said. "There just aren't many in the country, I guess. (Miami's Kellen) Winslow and him are probably the only two that I know of that play that way, and that'll show up in the draft next year, I'm sure. They'll both be gone real quick."