Gator Bowl picks Clemson over FSU

[ProjectMaximus]

It's hard to argue about stuff like this...entirely opinion based. So, I dont know. For me, well, everyone on this board knows me as a Gator fan, but I'll make my confession: both my parents went to graduate school at FSU so my entirely life a grew up a Seminole fan. While I did hate the Gators, since I grew up watching in the 90s, there was no one I disliked more than the Canes. This game was the biggest game of the year during the 80s, 90s, and first couple years of 2000...and with the whole wide right curse (and wide left, lol)...I hated and feared the canes far more than the gators. It helped me survive the transition when I went to UF.

Then again, this is my personal feeling. You could certainly know others who felt differently, and neither of us can prove much.

[thelakelander]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

Only recently.  Before Urban came in and both FSU and UM's programs went down, UF was the clear third wheel.

[copperfiend]

It's probably growing up in Jacksonville and not being exposed to the pre-Spurrier games. Perhaps it's also more of a dislike for Gator fans than Hurricane fans.

[thelakelander]

I grew up as a Miami fan and hated FSU through college in Tallahassee, all the way up until I moved to Jax.  Now I have some sort of weird respect for them and their fans.  Perhaps because we are both struggling at the same time.  Here I find most Gator fans to be pretty obnoctious when it comes down to football and SEC talk (probably has something to do with the close distance between Jax and Gainesville).  Especially since Florida continues to refuse to put Miami back on their annual schedule.  Anyway, it does seem that the FSU/UM rivarly comes with a decent amount of respect between the two programs while both dislike Florida to a higher degree.

[RiversideGator]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

The Gators own both FSU and Miami now anyway.  They are both mediocre.

[RiversideGator]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

Only recently.  Before Urban came in and both FSU and UM's programs went down, UF was the clear third wheel.

Like when we went to the National Championship game in 1996 12-0 and lost?  Or when we returned the next year in 1997 at 11-1 and blew out FSU to win the National Championship.  I think someone has selective memory.   

[RiversideGator]

I grew up as a Miami fan and hated FSU through college in Tallahassee, all the way up until I moved to Jax.  Now I have some sort of weird respect for them and their fans.  Perhaps because we are both struggling at the same time.  Here I find most Gator fans to be pretty obnoctious when it comes down to football and SEC talk (probably has something to do with the close distance between Jax and Gainesville).  Especially since Florida continues to refuse to put Miami back on their annual schedule.  Anyway, it does seem that the FSU/UM rivarly comes with a decent amount of respect between the two programs while both dislike Florida to a higher degree.

UF is the flagship University of the State of Florida and one of the best in the nation.  FSU and UM pale in comparison in athletics and academics. 

[thelakelander]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

Only recently.  Before Urban came in and both FSU and UM's programs went down, UF was the clear third wheel.

Like when we went to the National Championship game in 1996 12-0 and lost?  Or when we returned the next year in 1997 at 11-1 and blew out FSU to win the National Championship.  I think someone has selective memory.  

All during UM's probation years.  Ever wonder how that impacted recruiting throughout the state .  See me when you get on the block of schools with at least 5 national championships .

[ProjectMaximus]

Goodness, RG!! Are you playing to Lakelander's obnoxious Gator fans comment?! Sure I don't know you, but from what I had always read of your comments, I thought you were much more rational than this.

For one, your over-defensive attacks on the state of FSU and Miami football at the moment seems excessive. Obviously the Gators are the dominant football school in the state right now...no need to boast about it or call them mediocre.

Secondly, as a die-hard gator fan and recent alumnus, I proudly agree that UF is the flagship school and an excellent overall academic institution. We also undoubtedly have a superb athletic program perennially ranked in the top three. But that's no pass to belittle FSU or UM, both fine institutions, and depending on the particular academic area, can put UF to shame. And while UF is ranked 49th in the current US News and World Report Rankings, you might also notice Miami is right behind at 51st. And their selectivity (acceptance rate) is higher than ours.

Lastly, your selective memory comment is a tad bit ironic. Yes, UF went to two title games in a row, winning the second one, just as you say. Just two years prior, though, the Seminoles won it all. The year the Gators won the championship, they beat the Noles for the title. Then two years later, the Seminoles started a streak of three straight national title appearances, including one championship. Seems your memory could use a little work...or you managed to repress those years quite effectively.

No doubt, calling Florida a third-wheel was a bit offensive, but it was the truth nevertheless. Third wheel out of three very very good teams at the time. Those '96 and '97 seasons are the only title games UF ever participated in prior to the Urban Meyer era. Compare that to the two decades from '83-'02, when Miami and FSU combined for 7 titles and 14 national championship appearances.

Alright, I'm done...it doesn't make me feel good to defend these teams cause I am a fully converted, die-hard Gator fan. But I have respect for history, and I can only hope that Meyer keeps the recruiting machine going and we come close to matching FSU's ridiculous 14 straight top-5 finishes. If UF repeats this year's performance 13 more times in a row, then, and only then, will we match FSU's glory years. We'd also probably then be able to match Miami's number of national championships. 

[RiversideGator]

Goodness, RG!! Are you playing to Lakelander's obnoxious Gator fans comment?! Sure I don't know you, but from what I had always read of your comments, I thought you were much more rational than this.

Yes.  I was actually just messing with Lake a little.  I love the Gators and football but I know it isnt close to being the most important thing in life (unlike some of my fellow fans).

[tufsu1]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

Only recently.  Before Urban came in and both FSU and UM's programs went down, UF was the clear third wheel.

Like when we went to the National Championship game in 1996 12-0 and lost?  Or when we returned the next year in 1997 at 11-1 and blew out FSU to win the National Championship.  I think someone has selective memory.  

does your selective memory remember that the 1 loss in the 1996/1997 year was to FSU...clearly UF was the better team...but they were lucky (when other teams lost) to get a chance to avenge the loss!

[ProjectMaximus]

Yes.  I was actually just messing with Lake a little.  I love the Gators and football but I know it isnt close to being the most important thing in life (unlike some of my fellow fans).

Blasphemous!! Football's not the most important thing in life...it IS life.

Ok, I understand now. You're not crazy.

[vicupstate]

Getting back to the original topic...

Gator Bowl tickets still selling briskly

By Scott Keepfer
STAFF WRITER

CLEMSON -- Tickets to the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl between Clemson University and the University of Nebraska continue to sell at a surprisingly brisk rate, a Clemson official said this afternoon.

Travis Furbee, assistant athletic director of ticket operations, said the Clemson ticket office sold out of its initial allotment of 13,500 tickets last Monday and requested an additional 1,000 tickets. Furbee said "between 500 and 600" of them have been sold as of this afternoon.

"Usually, a bowl has a good seven- to 10-day selling period, so you'd think it would die down a little, but we've actually continued to be pretty steady," Furbee said. "I know that the Gator Bowl was ecstatic to have us call and request more tickets."

Furbee said he expects the game to be a sellout soon and anticipates "close to 30,000" Clemson fans to be on hand for the game.

Tickets can be purchased online at clemsontigers.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-CLEMSON.

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/article/20081220/SPORTS0101/812200304/1025

[BridgeTroll]

Please post links to articles.

[GatorShane]

FSU and Miami isn't as big of a rivalry as alot of people think. FSU fans hate Florida alot more than Miami.

Only recently.  Before Urban came in and both FSU and UM's programs went down, UF was the clear third wheel.

Like when we went to the National Championship game in 1996 12-0 and lost?  Or when we returned the next year in 1997 at 11-1 and blew out FSU to win the National Championship.  I think someone has selective memory.  

does your selective memory remember that the 1 loss in the 1996/1997 year was to FSU...clearly UF was the better team...but they were lucky (when other teams lost) to get a chance to avenge the loss!

I love it when people use the "they were lucky to get into the Natl Championship game because someone ahead of them lost" theory. Isnt that what happens every year. It is very rare when a team starts the year at  number 1 and runs the table. Most teams end up in the big game because someone ahead of them loses allowing them to  move up. Thats just the way it is. Now back to the point of this topic. The Gator Bowl picked Clemson over F.S.U. for 1 reason--Ticket sales.Yes we Gator fans are obnoxious but we show up. The main reason I dont respect so many F.S.U. and Miami arguments is that there are a lot of fair-weathered fans from those teams. F.S.U.  had 1 game over 80k in an 82k seat stadium, and that was against Florida when there were easily 20k Gator fans there. And dont even get me started about  Miami. Five of their seven home crowds were under 50k. My long rambling point about the   Gator Bowl is this. Sell tickets on a consistent basis and we wont have to have these discussions. All 3 are great programs and deserve to be supported in such a manner.