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Possibilities Seem Endless, So Gators Focus On Getting SEC Win

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By ANDY STAPLES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 10, 2007

Updated: 11/10/2007 12:55 am

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Pop quiz, Duke Lemmens. Do you know what has to happen for your University of Florida football team to reach the Southeastern Conference championship?

"I think I do," the freshman defensive end said, looking a little unsure. "Of course, we've got to beat South Carolina in our last SEC game."

Of course. The Gators (6-3, 4-3 SEC) face the Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4) at 7:45 tonight at Williams-Brice Stadium.

"And then Georgia has to lose a game," Lemmens said.

Check.

"And Tennessee has to lose a game," Lemmens said.

But just one.

"Just one," he said. "Then it would be a triple tiebreaker. And for some reason we win the triple tiebreaker - becaaaaause we have a better SEC record?"

Not exactly.

"A better SEC East record?"

Bingo.

Does your head hurt yet? Since Lemmens is an innocent freshman, it seemed unwise to blow his mind with the slim - but quasi-feasible - possibility that even if the Gators lose tonight, they might still advance to the title game because of a six-way tie in which each SEC East team finishes with a 4-4 conference record.

With so many if-thens - we haven't even covered how Kentucky could force an altogether different three-way tie - it might be best to take the attitude of Florida's players and coaches. Just try to beat South Carolina and let the other East teams sort out themselves.

Florida fullback Eric Rutledge was a sophomore when South Carolina upset the Gators two years ago, denying them their first trip to the title game since 2000. That day, Florida had to win and hope Auburn beat Georgia later that night. The Tigers upheld their end of the bargain.
Rutledge said this week that he may watch some of the games today involving the Bulldogs and Volunteers, the two teams above Florida in the East standings. Tennessee plays Arkansas at 12:30 p.m., while Georgia faces Auburn at 3:30.

"I'm sure if we get a chance, we'll flip on the TV," Rutledge said. "But I think the main focus will be to win, ours or else none of it matters."
Florida coach Urban Meyer said he isn't sure if he'll even address the East standings before the Gators take the field. He also said players will spend so much time in meetings that they probably won't catch more than a few minutes of Tennessee-Arkansas or Georgia-Auburn.

Most players said this week that they aren't worried about the outcome of any game not played inside Williams-Brice Stadium. Linebacker Dustin Doe said he won't bother giving himself a headache by looking at the scenarios, because he doesn't want to get caught looking ahead.

"Right now, the only team I'm looking at is South Carolina," Doe said. "I feel like whatever is going to happen, is going to happen. We're at the point where I know we can't control our own fate, but we've still got to win out."

Reporter Andy Staples can be reached at (352) 262-3719 or astaples@tampatrib.com. Keyword: Gators

Report, to read about what happens if each SEC East team finishes with

a 4-4 conference record.

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