SEC CHAMPIONSHIP!

Well, it is finally upon us, the championship game of the best conference in football. It is "Sweet Home Alabama" vs "Gator Country". While you might be tempted to quickly say at least Alabama wins the song competition, remember that Skynnerd hailed from Jacksonville FLORIDA :) Me, I'm crankin the Molly Hatchet this morning (my daughter is trying to "sleep in" :)

I went to the SEC title game years ago when the Gators hammered Arkansas (bro in law John was there too!) and it as really grown into the premiere game in college football (certainly not every year, but most).

So, what will unfold just after 4:00 this afternoon? Wow, two fantastic teams, especially on defense. The Crimson Tide has quite an arsenal of explosive players, from Julio Jones, Mark Ingram, Trent Richardson and Marquees Mays on offense and Javier Arenas on D and special teams. They have Mount Cody and some NFL linebackers, and Nick Satan :) is one heckofa football coach. Young QB Greg Mcelroy is progressing nicely and is from the hotbed of QB's, SouthLake Carrol in Dallas.

On the other hand, the MIGHTY GATORS have the best defense in the country. Carlos Dunlap's suspension is painful, as he is an NFL DE and was the MVP of the BCS game last year, but I still think UF's D will play well. Charlie Strong doesn't get enough credit, because make no mistake, it is Florida's defense that is special and is carrying the team this season. That said, it is not like the have a "3 runs and punt" offense. Demps, Rainey and Manuel are terrific running backs. Riley Cooper isn't just a bad ass center fielder, but the go to receiver for T2. As for Mr Tebow, he ALWAYS rises to the big game challenge.

I don't know who will win, we can go down the list of cliche's (win field position, win the turnover battle, etc.) and most of them will apply. With little certainty, I like Florida in a close game. I can't wait!

The Oregon / Oregon State game was outstanding on Thursday night, with both teams playing lights out, before the Ducks eaked out the W.

Last night was big in high school playoffs. Apopka only scored 7, but shut out Treasure Coast to set up a showdown with the Deland Bulldogs next week. Niceville won another shootout with Lincoln and get to come down to Orlando next week to take on the Edgewater Eagles (one team of Eagles will win :)). Up in Georgia, WR Northside beat Newnan, which surprised me a bit and Camden County ended Colquit's run. Out in Texas, Abilene High routed Arlington Bowie, to move on to the 5A semi finals.

The USA soccer team got a good draw for the World Cup next summer.

Mt Dora Bible basketball beat Lake Brantley last night.

Just a couple more cool nuggets :

Life is GREAT!