Florida Gators: Georgia Bulldogs
LSU coach Les Miles doesn't have a problem playing eight SEC opponents every season.
Miles also realizes the Tigers could play nine SEC games in the very near future.
Miles just doesn't think it's fair that LSU has to play Florida every season, while other teams in the SEC West don't.
As SEC presidents, athletics directors and coaches convene this week for the league's annual spring meetings in Destin, Fla., long-term scheduling has become the hot-button issue.
The league is expected to vote whether to change its current 6-1-1 format, in which teams play each opponent from their respective division, along with one rotating foe and one permanent opponent from the opposite division. SEC officials could vote this week to add a ninth conference game or at least eliminate permanent crossover opponents.
The SEC adopted its current scheduling format to ensure that longstanding rivalries like Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn would survive expansion.
By drawing the Gators as a permanent crossover opponent, Miles believes the Tigers drew the short end of the stick.
Miles won't complain about the scheduling format publicly, but he knows LSU is at a disadvantage.
And Miles is probably right.
"When they give us our schedule, I'm looking forward to having a great competition," Miles said.
Since 2000, LSU has played Florida and Georgia -- two of the SEC East's best programs -- a total of 17 times. Auburn is the only SEC West team which has faced those teams more often, playing them 19 times. Arkansas, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have faced them a total of 10 times each, while Alabama has played them only eight times.
While it's not fair that LSU has faced the Bulldogs and Gators nearly twice as often as Alabama has played them since 2000, Miles' argument might fall on deaf ears. Auburn and Georgia aren't going to surrender the longtime series -- the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry has been played 116 times since 1892. Likewise, Alabama and Tennessee have played 95 times since 1901, a game so revered it's named for its traditional place on the calendar, the Third Saturday in October.
And Ole Miss would probably rather play Vanderbilt every season instead of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, and Mississippi State isn't going pass up a chance to play Kentucky every year.
"There's never going to be a fair way," said Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Aggies drew Missouri as a permanent crossover opponent. "If you look back seven or eight years ago, you would have said the SEC East was the strongest division. You can't say what's fair, because things change in this league. You can't look at tradition. Ten years ago, you might have wanted to play South Carolina. Now you don't want anything to do with them. You don't know what Tennessee is going to do with a new coach. I know Butch Jones is going to do a great job."
Florida-LSU has become one of the league's most anticipated games every season. They've been two of the league's most dominant teams over the past decade. They've combined to appear in seven SEC championship games since 2003, and they've combined to play in nine BCS bowl games, including five BCS national championship games. In their past 10 meetings, LSU and Florida were both ranked in the top 25 of the coaches' poll nine times. Conversely, Alabama and Tennessee were both ranked only once in their past 10 meetings.
The loser of the Florida-LSU regular-season game has paid dearly over the past 10 seasons. LSU's 23-10 loss at Florida in 2006 knocked the Tigers out of the SEC championship game (the Gators defeated Arkansas 38-28 and then blasted Ohio State 41-14 to win the BCS title). Last year, LSU's 14-6 loss at Florida probably cost it a spot in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, if not another trip to a BCS bowl game.
Florida's losses to LSU in 2002, '05 and '07 kept them out of the SEC championship game and potentially BCS bowl games.
Miles also realizes the Tigers could play nine SEC games in the very near future.
Miles just doesn't think it's fair that LSU has to play Florida every season, while other teams in the SEC West don't.
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Derick E. Hingle/US PresswireUnder the current SEC scheduling format, Les Miles and LSU play Florida every season.
The league is expected to vote whether to change its current 6-1-1 format, in which teams play each opponent from their respective division, along with one rotating foe and one permanent opponent from the opposite division. SEC officials could vote this week to add a ninth conference game or at least eliminate permanent crossover opponents.
The SEC adopted its current scheduling format to ensure that longstanding rivalries like Alabama-Tennessee and Georgia-Auburn would survive expansion.
By drawing the Gators as a permanent crossover opponent, Miles believes the Tigers drew the short end of the stick.
Miles won't complain about the scheduling format publicly, but he knows LSU is at a disadvantage.
And Miles is probably right.
"When they give us our schedule, I'm looking forward to having a great competition," Miles said.
Since 2000, LSU has played Florida and Georgia -- two of the SEC East's best programs -- a total of 17 times. Auburn is the only SEC West team which has faced those teams more often, playing them 19 times. Arkansas, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have faced them a total of 10 times each, while Alabama has played them only eight times.
While it's not fair that LSU has faced the Bulldogs and Gators nearly twice as often as Alabama has played them since 2000, Miles' argument might fall on deaf ears. Auburn and Georgia aren't going to surrender the longtime series -- the Deep South's Oldest Rivalry has been played 116 times since 1892. Likewise, Alabama and Tennessee have played 95 times since 1901, a game so revered it's named for its traditional place on the calendar, the Third Saturday in October.
And Ole Miss would probably rather play Vanderbilt every season instead of Florida, Georgia or South Carolina, and Mississippi State isn't going pass up a chance to play Kentucky every year.
"There's never going to be a fair way," said Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin, whose Aggies drew Missouri as a permanent crossover opponent. "If you look back seven or eight years ago, you would have said the SEC East was the strongest division. You can't say what's fair, because things change in this league. You can't look at tradition. Ten years ago, you might have wanted to play South Carolina. Now you don't want anything to do with them. You don't know what Tennessee is going to do with a new coach. I know Butch Jones is going to do a great job."
Florida-LSU has become one of the league's most anticipated games every season. They've been two of the league's most dominant teams over the past decade. They've combined to appear in seven SEC championship games since 2003, and they've combined to play in nine BCS bowl games, including five BCS national championship games. In their past 10 meetings, LSU and Florida were both ranked in the top 25 of the coaches' poll nine times. Conversely, Alabama and Tennessee were both ranked only once in their past 10 meetings.
The loser of the Florida-LSU regular-season game has paid dearly over the past 10 seasons. LSU's 23-10 loss at Florida in 2006 knocked the Tigers out of the SEC championship game (the Gators defeated Arkansas 38-28 and then blasted Ohio State 41-14 to win the BCS title). Last year, LSU's 14-6 loss at Florida probably cost it a spot in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, if not another trip to a BCS bowl game.
Florida's losses to LSU in 2002, '05 and '07 kept them out of the SEC championship game and potentially BCS bowl games.
Several of RecruitingNation's SEC sites took a look this week at the players headed to the NFL combine, which begins today in Indianapolis, and other predraft camps. Click here to read the entire predraft series. Today: Defensive backs and special teams.
The Gators might have another first-round pick in today’s group and two other players who might not get drafted. S Matt Elam has been projected to go late in the first round -- most often to New England with the 29th pick -- after a junior season in which he was named an All-American. S Josh Evans and K Caleb Sturgis might very well not get drafted in April. Sturgis is one of the nation’s top kickers, but some teams are reluctant to draft kickers even in the later rounds if they have other needs. Then again, there are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted a punter in the third round.
Florida Gators
The Gators might have another first-round pick in today’s group and two other players who might not get drafted. S Matt Elam has been projected to go late in the first round -- most often to New England with the 29th pick -- after a junior season in which he was named an All-American. S Josh Evans and K Caleb Sturgis might very well not get drafted in April. Sturgis is one of the nation’s top kickers, but some teams are reluctant to draft kickers even in the later rounds if they have other needs. Then again, there are the Jacksonville Jaguars, who drafted a punter in the third round.
Dawgs, Tide out in front for Laremy Tunsil 
October, 19, 2012
10/19/12
10:59
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- Five-star offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) will take an unofficial visit to Florida for its game against South Carolina on Saturday. For the 6-foot-6, 295-pound No. 1-ranked offensive lineman in the country, this will be his second visit to Gainesville in the last three weeks.
Tunsil, who visited Florida for its game against LSU, said he enjoyed his trip to the Swamp.
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2014 OL Garrett Brumfield enjoys UF visit
October, 7, 2012
10/07/12
2:44
PM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Garrett Brumfield (Baton Rouge, La./University Laboratory School) will likely be one of the top interior linemen in the Southeast next season. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound 2014 guard/center prospect visited Florida for its game against LSU on Saturday and came away impressed with what he saw from the Gators.
"I enjoyed it," Brumfield said. "It was my second time getting out to Gainesville. I had a pretty good time. It was a good opportunity and a good experience. Both teams played pretty well and both teams' defenses played awesome.
"Florida was able to capitalize on some mistakes by LSU and it turned out great for them. Florida's offensive line really stepped up in the fourth quarter and was able to get some good blocks and make some big holes."
"I enjoyed it," Brumfield said. "It was my second time getting out to Gainesville. I had a pretty good time. It was a good opportunity and a good experience. Both teams played pretty well and both teams' defenses played awesome.
"Florida was able to capitalize on some mistakes by LSU and it turned out great for them. Florida's offensive line really stepped up in the fourth quarter and was able to get some good blocks and make some big holes."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPN 150 cornerback and Georgia verbal commit Shaq Wiggins (Tyrone, Ga./Sandy Creek) visited Gainesville on Saturday to watch Florida take on Bowling Green. The 5-foot-11, 165-pound Under Armour All-American said he enjoyed his visit to Florida.
"The trip went well," Wiggins said. "If anything, my favorite part was the crowd."
For Wiggins, he says he didn't pay too much attention to the game itself, but focused more on the cornerback play, specifically on Florida sophomore Marcus Roberson.
"The trip went well," Wiggins said. "If anything, my favorite part was the crowd."
For Wiggins, he says he didn't pay too much attention to the game itself, but focused more on the cornerback play, specifically on Florida sophomore Marcus Roberson.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- On a record-breaking night, ESPN 150 athlete Derrick Henry (Yulee, Fla./Yulee) has set his announcement date to choose between Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia.
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
In a 51-28 loss to Gainesville High School Thursday night, Henry rushed for 336 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries. Henry broke former Jacksonville (Fla.) University Christian star Willie McClendon's streak of 33 consecutive 100-yard rushing games from 1985-87. Henry has still never rushed for under the century mark in his high school career.
At 8,200 career rushing yards, Henry moves in to third place on the state of Florida's all-time career rushing list, trailing only Emmitt Smith and Florida running back commit Kelvin Taylor (Belle Glades, Fla./Glades Day).
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Gators' opener rich with visiting recruits
August, 31, 2012
8/31/12
8:11
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida Gators will be bringing in a handful of prospects to watch Florida take on Bowling Green in The Swamp on Saturday afternoon. Georgia offensive tackle commit Trenton Brown (Albany, Ga./Georgia Military College) will be the only official visitor for the Gators.
For Florida, the visit by Brown is very important. The Gators are looking to add two more offensive linemen in this class, and Brown appears to be wavering on his Georgia commitment.
"I am committed to Georgia, but not as solid as I was," Brown said on Tuesday night. "I have been hearing that they are telling Laremy Tunsil that they are going to put me at guard and him at tackle. I asked coach [Will] Friend about it, and he said they put the best five on the field. That led me to believe that they are saying that, but I am going to talk to coach [Mark] Richt about it because I am not trying to play guard.
For Florida, the visit by Brown is very important. The Gators are looking to add two more offensive linemen in this class, and Brown appears to be wavering on his Georgia commitment.
"I am committed to Georgia, but not as solid as I was," Brown said on Tuesday night. "I have been hearing that they are telling Laremy Tunsil that they are going to put me at guard and him at tackle. I asked coach [Will] Friend about it, and he said they put the best five on the field. That led me to believe that they are saying that, but I am going to talk to coach [Mark] Richt about it because I am not trying to play guard.
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GAINESVILLE, Fla.-- Friday Night Lights, Florida's marquee recruiting event is set for Friday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The Gators will host several top prospects from all over the country. Here is a closer look at what to watch for on Friday night.
Last impression
Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) will be making the short trip over from Jacksonville. The No. 24-ranked player in the country seems to be wavering back and forth between Alabama and Florida with signs pointing to Alabama as the frontrunner. The Gators will have the final chance to impress Walker, as he is scheduled to announce his decision on Aug. 3.
Last impression
Four-star defensive end Demarcus Walker (Jacksonville, Fla./Sandalwood) will be making the short trip over from Jacksonville. The No. 24-ranked player in the country seems to be wavering back and forth between Alabama and Florida with signs pointing to Alabama as the frontrunner. The Gators will have the final chance to impress Walker, as he is scheduled to announce his decision on Aug. 3.
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ESPN’s GatorNation brings you the 30 things you need to know about Florida’s upcoming 2012 season. For 30 weekdays we’ll preview games, talk about trends, spotlight players and positions, and give you pretty much everything you need to know to be ready for the season before the Sept. 1 opener against Bowling Green.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GatorNation is previewing each of Florida’s 2012 opponents. Today is Georgia (Oct. 27 in Jacksonville, Fla.).
GEORGIA
2011 record: 10-4 (7-1 SEC), lost to Michigan State 33-30 (3 OT) in Outback Bowl.
Coach: Mark Richt, 12th season (106-40).
Series record: Georgia leads 47-40-2 (Note: Georgia records indicate Bulldogs lead 47-39-2).
Top returners: QB Aaron Murray (238-403-14, 3,149 yards, 35 TDs); RB Isaiah Crowell (850 yards, 5 TDs); LB Jarvis Jones (70 tackles, 13.5 sacks); S Bacarri Rambo (55 tackles, 8 INTs).
Did you know? Murray needs just 14 more TD passes to surpass David Greene's school record (72).
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GatorNation is previewing each of Florida’s 2012 opponents. Today is Georgia (Oct. 27 in Jacksonville, Fla.).
GEORGIA
AP/Photo Stephen MortonGeorgia coach Mark Richt and Florida coach Will Muschamp exchange pleasantries before their first game last year in Jacksonville, Fla.
Coach: Mark Richt, 12th season (106-40).
Series record: Georgia leads 47-40-2 (Note: Georgia records indicate Bulldogs lead 47-39-2).
Top returners: QB Aaron Murray (238-403-14, 3,149 yards, 35 TDs); RB Isaiah Crowell (850 yards, 5 TDs); LB Jarvis Jones (70 tackles, 13.5 sacks); S Bacarri Rambo (55 tackles, 8 INTs).
Did you know? Murray needs just 14 more TD passes to surpass David Greene's school record (72).
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Five-star offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil (Lake City, Fla./Columbia) visited Alabama, Georgia and Florida over the last week. The 6-foot-6, 295-pound tackle named a top three after his visit to Florida on Sunday.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
"I would say they are my top three," Tunsil said of the three schools he visited. "It's a tie right now with all of them."
Tunsil, who camped at Alabama last weekend, visited Georgia on Friday and Saturday before heading to Gainesville on Sunday. The No. 3-ranked player in the country said he was impressed by what Georgia had to offer.
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SEC/Big East slate whets the appetite
June, 1, 2012
6/01/12
12:52
PM ET
By
Eamonn Brennan | ESPN.com
The SEC/Big East Challenge may not quite have the longstanding cachet of its ACC/Big Ten brethren, nor should it. The ACC/Big Ten Challenge is 13 going on 14, and as the years piled up and the Atlantic Coasters just kept winning -- the ACC won the first 10 challenges, which seems almost impossible, before the Big Ten rebounded with three straight wins -- the dominance created a weird sort of intrigue all its own.
The SEC/Big East Challenge is just five years old, and probably less well-known than its counterpart, but it's getting there -- and the 2012 matchups should only help.
Said matchups were released by the fine folks over at ESPN programming today, and they are as follows:
Thursday, Nov. 29
Marquette at Florida
Seton Hall at LSU
Kentucky at Notre Dame
South Carolina at St. John’s
The SEC/Big East Challenge is just five years old, and probably less well-known than its counterpart, but it's getting there -- and the 2012 matchups should only help.
Said matchups were released by the fine folks over at ESPN programming today, and they are as follows:
Thursday, Nov. 29
Marquette at Florida
Seton Hall at LSU
Kentucky at Notre Dame
South Carolina at St. John’s
DT Ivie talks about suddenly hot recruiting
May, 29, 2012
5/29/12
7:34
AM ET
By
Derek Tyson | ESPN.com
DADE CITY, Fla. -- Pasco High School defensive tackle Joey Ivie has seen his stock soar over the last few months. The 6-foot-4, 271-pound athlete now has over 20 scholarship offers, including Florida, Florida State, Miami, Texas Tech, Rutgers and many other schools.
In addition, Ivie says there are two SEC schools that are close extending offers to him.
"Bama and Georgia are recruiting me right now, but neither have offered," Ivie said. "The Georgia coach said they have a recruiting meeting and he would bring my name up. He told me to call him this weekend and they will let me know. I honestly don't know a whole lot about Georgia other than I like their team colors red and black."
In addition, Ivie says there are two SEC schools that are close extending offers to him.
"Bama and Georgia are recruiting me right now, but neither have offered," Ivie said. "The Georgia coach said they have a recruiting meeting and he would bring my name up. He told me to call him this weekend and they will let me know. I honestly don't know a whole lot about Georgia other than I like their team colors red and black."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- ESPNU 150 Watch List defensive end Jonathan Allen (Ashburn, Va./Stone Bridge) visited Florida on Saturday to watch the Gators' annual spring game.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker said the visit impressed him enough that he would like to return in the fall.
"I had a great time," Allen said. "It was a great atmosphere for a spring game. I definitely want to get back there for a game during the season."
The 6-foot-3, 225-pound linebacker said the visit impressed him enough that he would like to return in the fall.
"I had a great time," Allen said. "It was a great atmosphere for a spring game. I definitely want to get back there for a game during the season."
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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Soon after finishing its annual spring game, Florida received a commitment from Lithonia (Ga.) Martin Luther King offensive guard Josh Outlaw.
"Committed to Florida!! Go Gators!" Outlaw said in a text message to GatorNation.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman said the opportunity to play early at Florida ultimately led to his decision.
"Florida is just the place for me," Outlaw said. "It's a great place to be, and I have a great opportunity to play early there."
Outlaw chose the Gators over offers from Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, USF and Tennesse among many others. He said he is unsure if he will take other visits, but Outlaw claims he is 100 percent in his commitment to Florida.
Outlaw joins Rod Johnson as Florida's other offensive line commitment for the 2013 class.
"Committed to Florida!! Go Gators!" Outlaw said in a text message to GatorNation.
The 6-foot-4, 275-pound lineman said the opportunity to play early at Florida ultimately led to his decision.
"Florida is just the place for me," Outlaw said. "It's a great place to be, and I have a great opportunity to play early there."
Outlaw chose the Gators over offers from Clemson, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, USF and Tennesse among many others. He said he is unsure if he will take other visits, but Outlaw claims he is 100 percent in his commitment to Florida.
Outlaw joins Rod Johnson as Florida's other offensive line commitment for the 2013 class.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida, Florida State and Pittsburgh have recently offered Durham (N.C.) Hillside tight end Josh McNeil. The 6-foot-4, 235-pound athlete committed to East Carolina in November but quickly opened things up after receiving offers from larger BCS schools.
Though McNeil remains wide open, he says the Florida offer will put the Gators in his list of top schools when he narrows things down.
"Coach [D.J.] Durkin was in contact with me earlier in the year," McNeil said. "Then they lost contact, but now I'm talking with them again, and they offered like a week ago or so. I haven't had a chance to look much at Florida like as far as their depth chart and things like that yet, but when I start to narrow things down I know they would be in my top 10."
Though McNeil remains wide open, he says the Florida offer will put the Gators in his list of top schools when he narrows things down.
"Coach [D.J.] Durkin was in contact with me earlier in the year," McNeil said. "Then they lost contact, but now I'm talking with them again, and they offered like a week ago or so. I haven't had a chance to look much at Florida like as far as their depth chart and things like that yet, but when I start to narrow things down I know they would be in my top 10."
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ABOUT GATOR NATION
Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.