Louisville vs. Florida

[Swamp Daddy]

Louisville gets a tough one in Florida in the Sugar Bowl. Almost no one wanted Northern Illinois (sort of like Boise State a few years ago try to get in a BCS bowl), so the Sugar Bowl almost had to pick UL over NIU.

Florida looks like a tough matchup to me; but, I am sure Strong & staff will do their best to keep us from being Gator Bait

I'm looking forward to this game.

Swamp Daddy

[Eric]

I think Louisville will make it respectable. A lot of people will expect a Florida blowout, but I think Teddy Bridgewater is going to put on a show to get him more national publicity heading into next year. I took Florida with high confidence in the picks this year, but I don't think it will be a big win.

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, the message boards are running hot around here over who, where & what Coach Strong is doing with other teams. He's done a bunch of side stepping of the question. Won't say yes he's staying, denies interviewing with anyone. My bet is about 50-50 he leaves after the bowl game.

Even AD Tom Jurich press releases are terse and a bit angry.

If he won't answer the question here, what does he think the hot topic will be at the bowl game He'll get that question over and over from all media. I wonder what effect this will have on the team. If we get stomped will he be more inclined to stay? A lot of questions, no answers.

Still TJ has been lied to enough by coaches he probably already knows the answer. It kind of dulls the anticipation of the bowl game if you are waiting for the ax to fall.

Oh well, it is what it is.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Well, the dust has settled briefly in the Charlie Strong to anywhere but Louisville rumor mill. In a press conference this morning, coach Strong is staying (for now anyway). So, maybe he can get on with preperations for the UL/Florida bowl game . This may be interesting as certainly Coach Strong will know what they will do; and, just as certainly Florida should have some coaches that will know what Strong will do.

UT was flying planes and people to Louisville in an attempt to get CS to leave once their first choice Gundy turned UT down. Had Strong gone to UT he might have lasted 3 years in that pressure mill unless he won a national championship. Next year he will have a senior-junior dominated team and should do very well. This will (to me) show whether Strong is a good coach or not. I already know he and his staff are a-1 recruiters. Still his wins/loses, particularly at home, are quite disappointing to me. Particularly some of the weak performances this year which defensively should have been his best year.

Not many spots open in the roster for recruits this year but they are filling them with OL people so far. Depending on exit strategy from the Big East we might be in the ACC next season (which Strong and fans should love); or, the next year for sure. Some of it depends on the ACC suit to get Maryland to pay up; and, the suit in the BE over Rutgers and the exit fee, etc. I am sure lots of behind the scenes meetings are going on about that now.

I love football; but, the big business it represents is often nothing but a tension increase as deals, dirty deals, etc. behind the scenes take away much of the enjoyment of the sport.

Swamp Daddy

[Swamp Daddy]

Coach Strong & Staff are recruiting like gangbusters to fill the few slots available this year (13) from departing seniors. Good people so far. Last practice today for the team, Christmas Holidays next. One last practice when they come back and then on the plane for New Orleans. I can hardly wait

Swamp Daddy