Everyone in South Florida knows that this is the biggest game in the area since Florida State came to the Orange Bowl in 2000. I can tell you from first hand experience that it was one of the greatest games I've ever seen in person. The atmosphere going into that game was off the charts. Some will say the 1989 game vs Notre Dame was the gold standard in reference to big game atmosphere, but I would dare say the 2000 FSU game would be up there. There hasn't been a game this big in Miami since that time. Yes, you can put the 2002 Wide Left I game in there, and the 2003 UF game as well, both of which, I attended by the way and some others in recent years (2009 vs OU and 2011 vs Ohio State), but there's something about the Gator that get my blood boiling.
- Their fanbase: I have never seen a bunch of arrogant pricks as that fanbase in Gainesville is. If you remember 2008 up there, we had them on the ropes for 3 quarters before some BS calls and questionable penalties that weren't called would ultimately do us in. Now, they will tell you that this is nothing more than a tuneup before SEC play. I would love nothing more than to knock them off and come 4 p.m. Saturday Afternoon, their fans will have a long drive up 75 back to Gainesville knowing they got their asses kicked.
- Their Athletic department: They know that they want no part of us anymore after this game. We've heard their BS before about wanting a "National schedule", and the last time they played an OOC game outside of Florida was September 21, 1991 @Syracuse and they lost to the Orange 38-21. Outside of FSU, they play no one of note OOC and until they do that, they will be tainted as a team that played no one of note OOC outside of FSU. If you want us on the schedule every 2-3 years, I can live with that.
Make no mistake, this is easily Al Golden's biggest game in his tenure to date. This is a watershed game for UM. This is a chance to announce to the nation that The U is BACK to stay as a National Power. Winning this game against that team from a conference that has won the last 7 BCS titles (Florida twice in a 3 year stretch), would be a statement win and a validation win for Golden that all that hard work, and the tireless recruiting in the face of the NCAA BS is finally paying off.
This win would be the biggest FU to the NCAA big time.
