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Young Meyer Had To Dislike Michigan

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 27, 2007

Updated: 12/27/2007 11:11 pm

LAKE BUENA VISTA - Florida coach Urban Meyer said he had no other option but to dislike Michigan while growing up in Ashtabula, Ohio. Meyer can make the denizens of his hometown very happy Tuesday if he can lead the Gators to a win against the Wolverines on Tuesday in the Capital One Bowl.

"Where I came from, it was all scarlet and gray Ohio State colors," Meyer said Thursday. "You had no choice. You'd get beat up and have your lunch money taken from you if you were otherwise. I kept all my lunch money."

Meyer said he has developed a deep respect for Michigan's football program during his time as a coach.

"I admire them because they do it the right way," Meyer said. "I admire programs that don't cheat.

"I admire programs that recruit good kids, and they're a high-end academic school."

D-LINE SHUFFLE: Meyer said he isn't sure if converted OL Mike Pouncey will remain at defensive tackle next season, but he knows someone who will: freshman Justin Trattou.

Trattou came to Florida as a defensive end, but Meyer said Trattou's quickness and toughness could make him difficult to block as a tackle. Meyer said Trattou has bulked up to 260 pounds and could get bigger in the offseason.

Meyer said the development of Trattou, redshirt freshman Lawrence Marsh and freshman Torrey Davis has helped correct a recruiting gap that left the Gators with no dominant defensive tackles this season.

"There's a recruiting void that happened the year before I got here 2004 and my first year," Meyer said. "Defensive tackles were not here. I'm not sure where they are, but they're not here.

"We can't let that happen again."

CASEY COMING BACK: Meyer said senior TE Tate Casey (ankle, elbow) should receive a medical redshirt for this season, which would allow him to return in 2008.

"Tate's a great guy," Meyer said.

"He's not been a great player yet for a lot of reasons. One was size. One was strength. One was injury. If he can overcome that, he can become a great player."

Andy Staples

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