Jim Leavitt

In 2008, it is safe to say the script has been flipped for all five programs.  Florida State is far from the powerhouse it was in the 1990s.  A team that once dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference, winning its first nine, consecutive conference titles, has not won an ACC crown since 2005.  The school continues to have off-the-field problems with its student athletes.  Their traditional dominance over Florida has also waned, having dropped four straight meetings.  All this has some Seminole faithful questioning whether Bobby Bowden should finally hand over the reins to his successor.  The Gators, on the other hand, are in fine shape.  After going 23-14 and winless in a bowl in three years under Ron Zook, the Florida faithful became impatient.  Zook, ever the master recruiter, left the cupboard loaded with talent and when Florida signed Urban Meyer from Utah in 2004, Meyer led that talent to the mountaintop.  Florida is still right where it wants to be, consistently competing alongside the top programs in the nation.  For the second time in three years, Florida is poised to contend for a national title.  Miami joined the ACC in 2004, but has yet to win a conference title in that time.  Miami is currently rebuilding under young head coach Randy Shannon.  Last year, for the first time in ten years, Miami failed to reached a bowl game  Although they have faced some difficulties recently, they appear to be headed in the right direction with Shannon, but rest assured ‘Canes fans won’t settle for too many more sub-.500 seasons.  Just making a bowl is not good enough for the University of Miami. Since joining Conference USA in 2005, Central Florida has already won two titles.  In 2007, South Florida was the highest ranked Florida school, climbing as high as #2 in the nation.  These two schools are starting to develop a healthy in-state rivalry.  While obviously not holding the same firepower or hype as when two of the big three meet, there is still plenty of talent on the field.  Both UCF and USF have proven they can play with any school in the nation.  Miami may find that out this season as they host Central Florida on October 11.

Continue reading "College Football in Florida: A Ten ..."

In 2008, it is safe to say the script has been flipped for all five programs. Florida State is far from the powerhouse it was in the 1990s. A team that once dominated the Atlantic Coast Conference, winning its first nine consecutive conference titles, has not won an ACC crown since 2005. The school continues to have off-the-field problems with its student athletes. Their traditional dominance over Florida has also waned, having dropped four straight meetings. All this has some Seminole faithful questioning whether Bobby Bowden should finally hand over the reins to his successor.

Continue reading "College Football In Florida: A Ten ..."