Sports: Florida game by game

Florida game by game

By ANTONYA ENGLISH

SATURDAY VS. MARSHALL: The Thundering Herd has played at Clemson, North Carolina and Michigan State the past few seasons, so playing Florida isn't as big a deal as it might seem. "I've seen the Swamp," Herd defensive end Ralph Street said. "Big deal." Ex-Gators defensive coordinator Bobby Pruett thinks his team has a chance. The way Florida has played in past openers in the Spurrier era, don't laugh. But the Gators should roll in the second half.

SEPT. 8 VS. LOUISIANA MONROE: Put it this way, Tennessee beat the same team 70-3 last year. Why do these people try to play with the big boys? Florida's biggest concern? Playing in front of an empty stadium in the second half and not getting anybody hurt.

SEPT. 15 VS. TENNESSEE: The Vols haven't won in Gainesville since 1971. Coach Phillip Fulmer still swears Florida wide receiver Jabar Gaffney dropped the winning touchdown last season. The Gators have won 12 of the past 15 meetings, seven of the past eight. The Vols' quarterback situation is more settled than a year ago and UT might have one of the best defenses in the nation. Keep an eye on All-America defensive lineman John Henderson. If he has a big game, this could be a lot more interesting than people are calling it.

SEPT. 22 AT KENTUCKY: This game will be played around the time the Wildcats are expected to hear from the NCAA about possible probation concerning recruiting violations. New 'Cats coach Guy Morriss says he likes to ride a motorcycle to relax. By October, his tires probably will be bald.

SEPT. 29 VS. MISSISSIPPI STATE: Who let the 'Dogs out? Last year, it was Florida's defensive line as Mississippi State rushed for 351 yards, the second-most given up in the Spurrier era. It also snapped a nation-best 72-game winning streak against unranked teams. "They are talking about how they are not afraid to come down here, and I wouldn't blame them," Florida defensive tackle Ian Scott said. This is a pride game for the Gators.

OCT. 6 AT LSU: The Gators rolled into Baton Rouge 5-0 and ranked No. 1 in 1997. At the end of the night, the Tigers Stadium goalposts were gone and so were the Gators' national championship hopes after a 28-21 loss. Many prognosticators are predicting a repeat.

OCT. 13 AT AUBURN: Florida has won the past seven meetings of a rivalry that began in 1912. Tommy Tuberville has Auburn moving in the right direction, but the Tigers lost 11 starters from their Citrus Bowl team. It's a dangerous game, but it's one Florida should survive.

OCT. 27 VS. GEORGIA: One of the main reasons first-year coach Mark Richt got his job was to beat Florida. The Gators have won 10 of the last 11. Before Spurrier became coach, the Gators had scored 30 or more against Georgia twice in 67 games. They've now done it nine of the past 11. Spurrier loves to win this game.

NOV. 3 VS. VANDERBILT: It's a good thing it's homecoming. That way, at least fans in town for the game will find entertainment somewhere. Florida is 19-3-1 in the past 23 meetings. Vandy quarterback Greg Zolman is a fifth-year senior who threw for 2,441 yards last season, but he will need more help than the Commodores have to offer.

NOV. 10 AT SOUTH CAROLINA: Lou Holtz took an 0-11 team his first year and turned it into an 8-4 unit that led Florida 21-3 early in last year's game. The Gamecocks should be pretty good again, but they still are not quite on the level with Florida. This is the Gators' final game before Florida State, but they would be crazy to be looking ahead.

NOV. 17 VS. FLORIDA STATE: Gators athletic director Jeremy Foley estimates he could sell at least another 30,000 tickets for this game if he had the seats. You could make an argument this game is for a spot in the national championship every year. Florida State, for the first time since 1989, was not ranked in the AP preseason Top 5. Don't let anybody fool you. This is Florida-Florida State. And by November, the 'Noles will be very, very good.