I took my second trip to Gainesville over the weekend. I needed a breather from all the anarchy of dealing with ex-wives and ex-girlfriends, so I decided that it was time to catch a good football game.
Upon further review, I have come to this conclusion—but I decided that Les Miles should hear it first. So I asked my son to come in and help me with my letter to the "Black 'N Bayou" Bengals.
Dear Coach Miles:
We would like to say thank you for showing us that you guys were all talk and no action. We thank you for proving all the so-called experts wrong yet again. We know how dangerous we are, and we know how dangerous our conference is.
In fact, all week we heard about how you guys were going to just squeak by us en route to yet another SEC Championship.
Then you actually played the game...and boy, were you guys so overmatched. I'll let my dad explain this one.
Every year, I tell everyone within eyesight or earshot that Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field, aka "Da Swamp," is a very dangerous place to play. Every year, opposing teams are greeted by fans who are frothing at the mouth with their eyes rolling in the back of their head.
That's not insanity. That's just Florida Football.
I spend every year watching teams come in believing that they have what it takes to survive the assault that is forthcoming from guys like Doug Johnson, Terry Dean, Danny Wuerffel, Chris Leak, and lately Tim Tebow. I watched as Fred Taylor ran all over Florida State and Percy Harvin ran all over Tennessee.
This past weekend, I watched as the almighty LSU defense came up short against the now potent offense of Florida. I also watched as the weakness of LSU was not only exposed, but savaged by the Gators D.
I watched all this...then I smiled as the clock began to wind down. I watched as we began chants of "overrated" in the student section. I watched as a very attractive Tiger fan shed tears of sorrow two seats from me. I watched as people who usually didn't like each other hoisted their drinks and celebrated as Florida stunned LSU.
You said you weren't too worried about Florida. You should have been.
Your defense said they were going to rip Tebow's head off. They failed.
Everyone picked LSU to run over Florida due in large part to what Ole Miss did to us two weeks before. But Arkansas couldn't stop us—and neither could you. Your quarterback couldn't keep up with Tebow. Your dangerous receivers couldn't get open enough to keep you in the game.
In truth, this game was over by halftime...we just went through the motions.
We all know what was at stake in this game. The winner would most likely play in the SEC Championship Game and possibly get a bid in the BCS Championship Game. Florida has moved back into the Top Five.
With Mizzou and Oklahoma losing as well, all you had to do was win. But you didn't.
You had the No. 1 spot handed to you on a silver platter by Oklahoma. All you had to do was win. You could have silenced the critics by beating Florida and taking No. 1 from Texas, Missouri, and Alabama.
But unfortunately, you couldn't quite get in sync—and Florida made it easier for Kentucky and Vandy to pick up the pieces.
So Coach Miles, I hoped you learned a lesson from your recent trip to Da Swamp. The biggest lesson: Don't think that just because you did it once that you'll do it again. Of course, there will be people that will say that it was all a fluke, and Florida will fall from the top.
If it is true that pride comes before a fall, this has to be yours, Les.
But until the thoughts are put to bed, you got to get ready for South Carolina, Georgia, and Tulane before an old friend comes to town to put his No. 2 spot on the line. And trust me when I say this: None of those teams are going to feel sympathetic about your current state of shock.
So how does it feel to know that after losing to Urban Meyer, you have to deal with Steve Spurrier the very next week?
How does it feel to know that you went into Florida expecting a win and got killed for your troubles?
Simply put, LSU, you lost 51-21 in Da Swamp to a team that is determined to become National Champions once again. How Do You Like Dem Apples?
By the way, my son has a message if you're an LSU fan and don't like this letter:
"SORRY ABOUT YOUR DAMN LUCK!"
With Gator Regards,
Ron and Quincy Johnson
Senior Writer and Future Writer, Bleacher Report
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about 1 month ago
Its actually "THE Swamp."
from about 1 month ago
No, my friend. It's "Da Swamp!" Don't believe it? Ask those rowdy fans in Gainesville!
about 1 month ago
HA HA HA to you LSU!! Karma's a bitch and you shouldn't have talked sh*t about "taking Tebow's head off". And..hey, didn't the guy that made that comment not even play cuz he had a boo boo?? I hope you guys learned your lesson..NEVER think beating the Gators will be easy. These guys play hard and have love for the game. Just cuz they had a bad game doesn't mean anything..they know how to come back!! And I expect to see them win the chamionship..once again!! GO GATORS!!
-Karen
about 1 month ago
First of all, my hats off to Florida for being prepared for the game against LSU. Urban Meyer did a good job of having his team ready to play for 60 minutes. Second of all, the guy that made the comment didn't say anything about taking Tebow's head off. What he did say was that they wanted to take Tebow out of the game plan. His true words were not mentioned at all. The only thing the media saw was take Tebow out. Anyway I am an LSU fan and we will bounce back! True Champions always do! Florida needs to pull for LSU the next 2 weeks.
from about 1 month ago
We don't need to pull for LSU. We need to win. LSU beating Georgia doesn't help the Gators. If we win the SEC Championship with one loss, our national championship hopes come down to what the other conferences are doing, not what LSU is doing.
from about 1 month ago
What a classy comment by a good sport. I would love to see an LSU UF reunion in Atlanta, I believe Les Miles will have an entirely different game plan. That would be an awesome game .. good luck LSU, hope to see you there ...
Go Gators!
about 1 month ago
That was a big game, but an SEC Championship berth was not on the line. Florida was fighting to maintain a legitimate chance of getting to the BCS Championship. Everything else is still up in the air. Check out the schedules. Florida-Georgia on Nov. 1, and Alabama at LSU on Nov. 8.
about 1 month ago
Florida will beat Georgia and Alabama will beat LSU. The SEC Championship will be Alabama-Florida. Just like old times. But in the interest of fairness, LSU beating Georgia will help Florida's cause extremely.
about 1 month ago
While you're at it, why don't you tell Ole Miss how great UF is and how difficult it is to play in the Swamp. My Ole Miss friends reminded me over the weekend that "Ole Miss owns the swamp." How 'bout dem apples. I am a SEC fan and will cheer for UF if they make it to Miami. But, you won't. LSU had a bad game and FL played over their heads. The real UF is somewhere in between your performances against Ole Miss and LSU. That won't cut it against Texas or Penn State. I am looking forward to another shot at the gatuhs in Atlanta. Most of the same guys that beat you in BR in 06 are still playing in 07. We'll see how things roll in the re-match.
from about 1 month ago
I love how this seems to happen only when LSU doesn't exceed expectations. It's okay, though. Whether it's Alabama, Florida or LSU, an SEC team will be in the National Championship. Matt Flynn beat us last year. Tim Tebow beat you this year. We'll just call this a wash until Alabama loses. Then we can pick up where we left off.
about 1 month ago
Leak left and the gators didn't repeat the next year, with a new young QB! The Tigers have a new young QB, and have won at the swamp! Lee will get better as did Tebow! Pride does come before the fall, and it always will, and applies to all!
from about 1 month ago
Bad Comparison, The difference is that UF had NO defense whatsoever last year (9 out of 11 freshman) and LSU had THE best defense in the country, and also LSU was ranked #1 coming in last year!
Also your trying to shy off the obvious fact that Tebow and Co. lost by 4 points and controversial ball placements, the Tigers where absolutely demolished Saturday by 30 points, Leo,
see the obvious differences?
about 1 month ago
Congrats, Gator fans. As an LSU fan, you could understand how it would take a great deal of humility to give credit where credit is due here... I want to commend the Gators on their Pac-10esque aspirations. If you're trying to mimic the mighty Trojan Warriors, then I would say you're well on your way. Show up for big games to vanquish any lingering memories of when David stood over you in victory, sling shot in hand. Congratulations again; count your blessings that you wont have to face the mighty Beavers or Cardinals in whichever bowl game you eventually grace your presence with
from about 1 month ago
When you stomp the number 3 ranked team in the country by 30, it doesn't erase your upset, it just makes ya feel better. Nice metaphor with the biblical scenario, I like it! 10 points for Mr. Jangles, now what? only 20 points to go!
After the Gators run over the Dawgs on November 1st by 24, UF will then beat Bama by 14 in the SEC title game, and proceed to the crystal ball game, where they will defeat Texas in Miami by 3 scores.
REMEMBER THIS, BOJANGLES! REMEMBER!
about 1 month ago
i love it. i really dont have words to describe how bad that beating was
from about 1 month ago
I'm sure your shriveled lower extermity is quite familiar with a similar beating, a whole knuckles full
about 1 month ago
i've already given the gators their credit that was due,
but it's "letters" like these that give Fla fans their reputation. it's not fair to the good florida fans on this board like michael, david, etc.
where was it overwhelmingly stated that LSU was going to beat UF?????
other than a statement taken out of context by a florida reporter, what did miles say about beating florida. i think most of this happened in your head.
you try to make words get eaten that were never said. be happy with your victory and move on. as far as pride goes...that's a pot and kettle situation.
congrats to the gators for a solid win.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with Justin. He actually wrote a great pre-game analysis and had the Gators winning the game. The only cockiness that came from the LSU side was from Ricky Jean-Francois, but he quickly apologized for his comments regarding Tebow. Les Miles showed great respect for the Gators throughout the week and Florida just proved to be the better team that night. As a die-hard Florida fan, I'm all for Gator pride, but not when it blinds us to the point of insanity.
from 22 days ago
Here's a thought boys. If LSU decimated Florida, would the Tigers fans be humble? Not a chance. I remember last year's shocking win in Death Valley. I heard it from every corner of the country. I am a good Florida fan. For you to bring that into question is insulting to every Gators fan, both good and cocky. But I guess this doesn't surprise me for someone to rain on the parade.
In regards to your question to who said LSU was going to beat Florida, do you ever watch ESPN? Everyone except for a few analysts took LSU to win this game. Even the great Lee Corso picked Florida to lose this game.
And I am moving on, but don't be surprised if an LSU fan comes out of nowhere and does this when they shock your team. Oh wait, LSU fans have done this!
We'll just call this a wash.
24 days ago
U*C is no longer the greatest college football team in history.
U*F is now the greatest college football team in history.
and still, the gators have the greatest humility.
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