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UF for the fans

COACH: Ron Zook, third season (16-10).

ASSISTANTS: Jerry "Red" Anderson, defensive line; Dan Disch, assistant head coach/secondary; Dwayne Dixon, assistant head coach/inside receivers; Larry Fedora, offensive coordinator/receivers; Mike Locksley, running backs/recruiting coordinator; Bill Miller, associate head coach/linebackers; Charlie Strong, defensive coordinator; Joe Wickline, offensive line/running game coordinator; Ed Zaunbrecher, quarterbacks.

CONFERENCE: Southeastern.

CONFERENCE TITLES: 1991, 1993-96, 2000.

NATIONAL TITLE: 1996.

RADIO: WDAE-AM 620, Tampa/St. Petersburg; WWJB-AM 1450 Brooksville; WXCV-FM 95.3 Crystal River; WDCF-AM 1350 Dade City; WLSS-AM 930 Sarasota; WZHR-AM 1400 Zephyrhills.

WEB SITE: www.gatorzone.com

SATURDAY: MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE, 6 P.M.

A reunion of sorts for several Gators assistants, including offensive coordinator Larry Fedora, who coached at Middle Tennessee State before coming to Florida. This will be only the teams' second meeting.

SEPT. 11: EASTERN MICHIGAN, 6 P.M.

The Gators can allow lots of players onto the field for experience in the final warmup before the real season begins. Florida's biggest worry may be looking past the Eagles with Tennessee on the horizon.

SEPT. 18: AT TENNESSEE, 8 P.M.

The visiting team has been the victor in the past four meetings. This game is critical because it sets the tone for the rest of the SEC East race. The big storyline will be the quarterbacking Leak brothers - C.J. for Tennessee, Chris for Florida.

SEPT. 25: KENTUCKY, TBA

The Wildcats made last year's game a nailbiter because of Jared Lorenzen, but he's gone and Kentucky is in a slight rebuilding mode. Florida has a 17-game winning streak over Kentucky.

OCT. 2: ARKANSAS, TBA

The Razorbacks may come in looking for a little revenge after Florida went to Arkansas and escaped with a five-point win last season. But unfortunately for Arkansas, this team has lost many of the starters from last year's core group.

OCT. 9: LSU, TBA

Florida was the only team to defeat the eventual co-national champions last season, but LSU comes in reloaded with talent and still is a force. One of Florida's goals this year is to reclaim the Swamp, making it a place where opponents rarely win. LSU could put a dent in those plans.

OCT. 23: AT MISSISSIPPI STATE, TBA

Florida has won seven of the past nine, but the last time Florida played the Bulldogs at Starkville (2000), MSU earned a 47-35 upset. Mississippi State is in the midst of a historic season with the league's first black coach and could get a big boost with a win.

OCT. 30: VS. GEORGIA AT JACKSONVILLE, 3:30 P.M.

Florida has won 12 of the past 13, and with the Bulldogs ranked among the nation's best in the preseason, the pressure will be greater for fourth-year coach Mark Richt.

NOV. 6: AT VANDERBILT, TBA

No matter how much the Commodores struggle, it's never easy when the Gators travel to Nashville. Vanderbilt always manages to keep things interesting, at least for a while, when Florida's in town.

NOV. 13: SOUTH CAROLINA, TBA

This could be a pivotal game for the Gators. South Carolina hasn't given the Gators much trouble in recent years, and with FSU on the horizon, Florida has to be careful not to overlook the Gamecocks, especially at home.

NOV. 20 AT FLORIDA STATE, TBA

Florida hasn't won at Doak Campbell Stadium since 1986. And if the Seminoles are anywhere near as good as they are predicted to be in the preseason, it won't be easy for the Gators to end that skid.

CAPACITY: 88,548.

TICKETS: A limited number of tickets remain for the Eastern Michigan game, but all other home games are sold out.

PARKING: General parking areas are available to the public on campus for game days. Parking also is available in lots on private property within a half mile of the stadium for various prices. There is no parking on grass or sidewalks. To avoid having to search for spaces on campus, fans are encouraged to use the RTS Gator Aider shuttle. Contact RTS at 352 334-2600 or visit their Web site at www.go-rts.com for information and pick up locations.

DIRECTIONS: Take Interstate 75 North to Exit 384 (Archer Road) and make a right. Follow Archer Road to 34th Street. Turn left on 34th and follow it to University Avenue. Turn right on University and follow it to North-South Drive. Turn right on North-South Drive and the stadium will be on the left.