10. There is a misconception, at least I think it's a misconception, that Urban Meyer is going to play a major role in coaching the 2011 football team. Two things everyone has to realize — 1. Meyer is stepping away because of health issues, which means stepping as far away as possible; 2. If Meyer wanders out to practice and talks to Chris Dunkley about the best way to run a route, it's an NCAA rules violation. You are only allowed to have nine coaches. That's how Southern Cal got into trouble. Well, that and paying Reggie Bush's parents. Meyer will always be a part of the Gator Nation and has been embraced by Will Muschamp. But Florida knows it can get tricky if the former coach is hanging around. UF has the best athletic director in the country and the best compliance guy in the country. They will figure it out.
11. There is also a misconception Johnny Brantley can walk right into an FCS school (formerly Div. 1-AA) and be the starter at quarterback next season. The FCS schools recently passed a rule that you have to have two years of eligibility remaining to transfer. Brantley has but one. He could apply for an exception but does he really want to leave Florida on the hopes that he could win an appeal to the NCAA? I think Brantley just needs a hug from the Gator Nation and his new coach. I don't think he's going anywhere.
12. Kind of like the Florida basketball team. Just when we thought they had turned a corner with rugged defense in an upset of Kansas State, Florida plays poor second-half defense in a stunning loss to Jacksonville. All momentum has been quashed and Florida's return to the top 25 won't last past Monday. The Gators looked like they didn't want to be there and JU played with great passion. The Dolphins also threw in some wild shots which goes to show you that your defense is only as good as the other guy shooting the ball. The good news — Florida's RPI is still going to be very high because the Gators had played the No. 1-ranked schedule coming into the game. The bad news — the senior leadership we saw in the Kansas State game was absent Monday.
13. I asked for suggestions for the new divisions in the Big Ten after Jim Delaney blew it (he's now reconsidering) and a ton of you sent them in. The Back Nine appreciates the effort. Several of you sent in the one I liked the best and I'll pass it along to Delaney. The division names? "Three Yards" and "A Cloud of Dust." Although "Slow" and "Slower" received the most votes.
14. I'm probably alone in thinking this but DeSean Jackson almost turned one of the greatest plays in NFL history into one of the biggest boneheaded mistakes when he ran along the goal line and looked to make sure the clock had run out before he crossed into the end zone. There was a Giants defender not that far away and if he gets to Jackson and knocks the ball loose, well, that's all we're talking about. At any rate, I can't remember a more fun Sunday watching the NFL. Not only did we have Jackson's 65-yard punt return capping an incredible Eagles' rally, we had a 71-yard kickoff return from New England offensive guard Dan Connolly. And we were able to watch Rex Grossman and Tim Tebow play well as starting quarterbacks. When was the last time two Gator quarterbacks started on the same day? By the way, David Nelson caught a touchdown pass in his third straight game. Didn't see that coming.
15. So which coach received a worse deal — Bill Stewart or Ralph Friedgen? Stewart was told he gets one more year before Dana Holgorsen, who will be his offensive coordinator, takes over at West Virginia. How awkward will the 2011 season be for the Mountaineers? Stewart was a knee-jerk, much-criticized hire when Rich Rodriguez left and Stewart was interim coach for a big Fiesta Bowl win. He deserves better. So does Friedgen, who is being pushed out at Maryland because the coach-in-waiting took the Vanderbilt job. Just when you think you've seen everything. These two coaching situations are more proof college football is a big business run by over-zealous boosters and athletic directors who all think they should be the ones playing Jan. 10.
16. If you waited this long to get a Christmas present for your significant other, brother from another mother or imaginary lover, I highly recommend a new coffee table book of photos by Jason Parkhurst. "Into the Swamp" is a collection of photos from the four best seasons of Meyer's run at UF. It's not your ordinary book with simply action pictures because Parkhurst had amazing access, even spending time with Tim Tebow as he dressed for the Heisman Trophy presentation.
17. Tweet of the week comes from Dan LeBatard, the king of all media in South Florida: "Wife made me an omelette this morning for breakfast. In honor of Dolphins, I checked down to oatmeal."
18. For those of you heading to Tampa the day before the Outback Bowl, you might want to check out our old friends Sister Hazel, who will be playing the Hard Rock Cafe on New Year's Eve. In their honor, I recommend the following Sister Hazel songs for your iPod — "Champagne High," "Release" and for the old-schoolers "Your Winter."
Contact Pat Dooley at 352-374-5053 or at dooleyp@gvillesun.com. You can listen to The Pat Dooley Show weekdays from 4-6 p.m. on 104.9 FM. And follow at Twitter.com/Pat_Dooley.
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