New rivalry: Bama vs UF

[RollinOnBayou]

I may be in the minority here, but I see Florida becoming a rivalry. Bama and UF are both going to be getting better each year if this type of recruiting keeps up. Not only that, the Florida fans SEEM to be getting progressively bitter about the Tebow situation(just reading on Gatorbait). I think this would be a great rivalry myself.

It would be easy to start hating them too.... they already wear blue and orange :biggrin:

 

[Proxigean Tide]

Bama started recruiting the state of Florida more agressively when Shula arrived. It began with a few seemingly harmless snags in the panhandle area, but now I think the Gator fans realize Bama is using Shula's name and personable approach to establish strong relationships at major HS programs throughout the state.

The Bama-UF rivalry started when Spurrier hung 35 points on Gene Stallings in 1990 for the Ole Ball Coach's first signature win. It catipulted UF into the big time and showed Bama how far they had to go to get back to the top. The first few SEC championship games were like heavyweight prize fights...winner take all.

As for long term development of the rivalry, I don't see it happening until both schools start getting back to the SECCG on a regular (like every year) basis. Florida has Georgia and FSU and Bama has Auburn and Tennessee. That is probably enough rivalry for the two schools without adding another. RTR.

 

[deliveryman35]

Off the field, I would agree it is an intense RECRUITING rivalry--each program raids the other's home state for talent year in and year out. But I doubt that it will ever become a heated rivalry ON the field. After all, we only pick them up for a home and home on the schedule every 5-6 years.

 

[BAMMAR]

My wife's family is Gayters and they consider us a good game not rivals. They have respect for us when superior was there but they say we are beneath them now , even after this years beating. Gayters are pretty smug still from what superior did for them. Inside they are scared about what erban might do for them.

 

[BamaFan1961]

I see us as rivals in recruiting only.

 

[Tide49]

I don't think we will meet them on the field enough to form a true rivalry with them... recruiting rivalry, yes, on the field rivalry, no.

 

[TideFaninFl]

Let them be smug.....

My wife's family is Gayters and they consider us a good game not rivals. They have respect for us when superior was there but they say we are beneath them now , even after this years beating. Gayters are pretty smug still from what superior did for them. Inside they are scared about what erban might do for them.

Bama beat SOS twice in 1999, and beat the tar out of UF this year.... if that is a team beneath them, no wonder they have not challanged for a SEC, let alone a NC.

UF was very good under SOS, but the time before and after him at UF are the same, no titles.....

 

[Mr Hogtown]

No offense intended, but Bama would be 4th at best in terms of rivalry. Until we play every year, it'll never be any higher. FSU, UGA, & UT are all ahead of Bama from a UF perspective. That's no knock on Bama, it's just that we won't play enough.

I'm sure it's that way for Bama too. I would think that Aub, UT, and LSU will always be bigger rivals.

 

[grandingator]

Two teams have to play yearly for their series to be a true rivalry. For us, Georgia, F$U, Tennessee, and LSU are all bigger rivals than Bama.

 

[Roll_Tide_Gal]

Come on guys, isn't one dose of arnge 'n' blue sufficient? Its bad enough that I have to stomach that crap from Aubies, but to bring in another sickening set of it just too dang much.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

Bama started recruiting the state of Florida more agressively when Shula arrived. It began with a few seemingly harmless snags in the panhandle area, but now I think the Gator fans realize Bama is using Shula's name and personable approach to establish strong relationships at major HS programs throughout the state.

I think these relationships will only continue to get stronger, the longer CMS stays at Bama. I think he has to be able to show the ability to develop these kids, and that is something that will become more apparent in a year or two. I really like the direction he's taking, though.