Hate for Gator fans seems to be a generational thing. Older fans hate Georgia while younger fans Tennessee. The old Bull Gators remember the Gator Flop at Miami, and the students think of beating FSU to open Bobby Bowden Field. The same is true of basketball.
I do not like Kentucky, but I respect their history and with the exception of Ramel Bradley, I have nothing against them. They're snobs and they've earned it. Plus, when you win seven consecutive games against someone and knock them off as tops in the league, there isn't much rivalry there.
As for Tennessee, I absolutely hate them. It's not a hate like I have with FSU and I want a black hole to swallow their campus. No, I just hate their sports teams, especially their overrated basketball team. This season, overrated is relative and the Vols are the best in a weak SEC. I don't understand though how a team can win three SEC regular season titles since 1999 and make the Sweet 16 only twice. In that same span, UF has gotten to three title games. Remember, the 2006 regular season title contributed to UT's two seed and UF's three seed. Of course, the Vols barely escaped the 2-15 game and lost to Wichita State in round two. UF, with momentum from the SEC tourney, won it all.
Perhaps Tennessee will follow the Florida model where early tournament losses lead to a national title, but I hope not. As for my anti-Tennessee venom, it probably has to do with the Gators record versus the Vols after I enrolled; 4-6. It could have been worse, but the first win of 2003 was the end of a five game Gator winning streak. That 4-6 mark, Bruce Pearl riding the coattails of Pat Summitt, combined with UT believing they are in the class of UF and Kentucky, is enough to make my skin crawl.
That's not all. Tennessee, along with Kentucky, was notoriously ruthless towards Matt Walsh. He even mentioned the Tennessee fans in class once. (Yes, Walsh went to class.) I was never a Walsh guy, but those Gator teams were in trouble (Christian Drejer anyone?) and you had to protect the team. Walsh had a sense of the moment and showed it by scoring 23 in a 2005 win over Tennessee in Knoxville. That was the last UF win there.
I mention this because all the stats favor Tennessee and the only way UF wins is if they are due. Maybe eighth-year senior Chris Lofton starts hitting bricks and the Vols get in foul trouble. I could even see a player slipping on Pearl's flop sweat and getting injured. Plus, the Gators go from a tough building at Arkansas to an even bigger one at UT. The loss to Arkansas can have two effects; UT is over confident or UF is not confident. Either way, there is blood in the water and if Tennessee wants to be a contender, they have to hold serve and win.
But this series has been marked by the team that wasn't supposed to win coming out victorious. Hopefully it's time the Gators turn the tables.
0 recs | 5 comments
Hate.
I absolutely despise the Vols... on the gridiron. I just can't bring myself to hate them on the hardcourt. I actually like Bruce Pearl, obnoxious as he can be. Hell, I respect Les Miles despite the fact that I'd trade season tickets at the Swamp to back-hand slap him across the face. Maybe it's because the B-ball Vols haven't won anything of worth or because their neon uniforms make it impossible to watch even their highlights, but I simply don't care much about them. That said, I hope we embarass them this year. Come on, boys, time to grow up again!ejruiz - February 5, 2008
UT
I don't really hate UT. I love the rivalry we have with them in football. Knoxville is one of those special places to see a football game and if you haven't been there yet, put in on your short list for places to see the Gators play.As for basketball, I hate Lofton, but in a respectful way and only because he is so damn good. I also like Bruce Pearl - he is an outstanding coach and good for the SEC. Even though this is a down year in the conference, there are some good coaches in our conference which will all strengthen their programs in the coming years.
I don't feel good about tonight's game, but the good news is that everyone sort of penciled this one in as a loss - so there isn't a lot of pressure. Let's just hope we don't embarass ourselves again. I think the layoff really hurt this team in Saturday's game. It is nice that they get to take the court again so quickly to try for redemption. Let's hang tough.
skigator93 - February 5, 2008
I HATE UT
Live in TN for a while and you will HATE UT. And somebody shut that rocky top song off!!!! Make it stop!!!aj633 - February 6, 2008
Same Here
I couldn't agree more. I hate Tennessee and everything associated with it. I hate Bruce Pearl, Pat Summitt, Rocky Top, and Fat Phil Fulmer. Screw Tennessee.tbcook - February 6, 2008
Damn...
Again, we fail to put a complete game together. Tennessee certainly doesn't look overrated, because they're simply too explosive to consider all that vulnerable. Lofton isn't the only guy on that team that can light it up. Losing by 20+ always hurts, but doing that when you crack 80 is flat embarassing.ejruiz - February 6, 2008
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