Back to Reality

Illinois is bowl eligible. Woopee! Enjoy it. Already some Zookheads have dropped by claiming that this is proof that Zook is a better coach than Urban Meyer. After all the Illini have already clinched bowl eligibility while the Gators are still one win away. What those geniuses won't tell you is that the Gators have played one less game to date.

The next argument is that Meyer can't win without Zook's players. Check yourselves Illini fans. Meyer didn't need "Zook's players" when he rebuilt two programs from scratch at Bowling Green and Utah. And anyone who knows a damned thing about the Gators knows entering the season the Gators only had 21 upperclassmen on scholarship. That junior and senior class should be chock full of "Zook's players", but where are they? Oh they must have washed out because of academics, discipline problems or because they just couldn't play. Either way it's more of an indictment on Zook than Meyer.

Lastly, remember that water always seeks its own level. Urban Meyer has a career record of 66-15 (.815) while Zook has a record of 33-36 (.478). While the records are similar this year, my bet is that in the long term past performance will be the best indicator of future performance.

So enjoy your trip to the Poulan Weedeater Bowl. That's what differentiates the programs. You guys will be ecstatic to be there, while Florida expects much greater things.