Urban Fall-out!

Umm....ok, wow! Last night Urban Meyer announced that he will be stepping down as the Florida Gators' head coach following the Sugar Bowl. Meyer is in his mid-40's but seems to have some major problems with his heart. The stress of being one of the most successful college football coaches has caused his health to falter. It is a well known fact that Urban Meyer is a balls to the wall coach, and it has apparently caught up to him a lot quicker than he expected. I wish him all the best.

However, the unfortunate situation for Meyer, his family, and the University of Florida, does raise some questions. Not necessarily about Meyer's motives or honesty, but about the direction of Florida's football team. There are some good options for coaches out there that are proven successful at the college level, (the Stoopes brothers for example). Also before the Gators hired Urban Meyer they courted Mike Shanahan, who it just so happens is out of a job. Shanahan has stated that he would like to coach in the NFL, but he is keeping all of his options open. In my humble opinion the best. and most obvious replacement for Urban, is offensive coordinator Charlie Strong. The bad news about Strong, is that he has already signed a letter of intent to coach at Louisville. The good news, is that is not the equivalent of a contract, and that means there is still a chance that Florida could get him back. Florida needs to get an established coach quickly, or some of those top recruits might start to bail. Maybe Tebow will be available.

Music City Bowl; Kentucky v. Clemson: This poses to be a better game than some people think. Kentucky brings a stout defense into Nashville, that has one unfortunate weakness. Kentucky struggles to stop the run. The Wildcats have given up an average of 181 yards per game, that is in the bottom 20 in the nation. That is not a good thing since Clemson is bringing all-purpose machine C.J. Spiller into Nashville with them. This morning Clemson suspended 4 players, for breaking curfew. This unneeded distraction does not bode well for a team that's biggest problem all year has been keeping their focus. Kentucky has a pretty good offense as well. Whether freshman quarterback Morgan Newton gets the start, he won five out of seven starts, or injured junior Mike Hartline comes back, this offense is highly productive. Kentucky's starting quarterback from last year, Randall "Tex" Cobb, has transitioned nicely into a dual threat role as a running back and receiver. However without their best defensive player, linebacker Sam Maxwell is out with a should injury, Kentucky will have a hard time containing C.J. Spiller and the Tiger offense. I am taking Clemson. So is everyone else.

Live like no one is watching and stay off the streets of Gainesville today!