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Only A Wimp Would Duck The Zooker

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By Andy Staples, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 27, 2007

Updated: 11/27/2007 12:22 am

GAINESVILLE - Steve Hogan seemed ready for the question Saturday night. The Capital One Bowl executive director certainly must have expected it, given that his bowl has about a 50/50 chance of hosting one of the most uncomfortable - for the participants - matchups in recent memory.

Is the University of Florida trying to dodge a potential matchup with Illinois on Jan. 1 in Orlando?

"I have not heard one concern from Illinois or Florida - not that that's the game we're putting together," Hogan said after Florida's win against Florida State. "But to answer your question, I have not heard one word from either program about concern for playing each other.

"I've heard a lot of sports talk guys, but at the end of the day, both programs want to play the best possible competition they can play in the most prestigious spot that they can play."

The speculation is that Florida AD Jeremy Foley wouldn't want his team to lose to Ron Zook, the coach he fired three years ago. Foley has declined comment about any potential bowl matchup, which has fueled that speculation.

To duck the Illini to avoid the embarrassment of a loss to Zook would be so wimpy that, in the long run, it would embarrass the Gators far more than losing to the man who led Florida to 14 losses in three seasons. And Foley is no wimp. He proved that Saturday.

After the Gators beat the Seminoles, a reporter angered FSU LB Geno Hayes with a persistent series of questions regarding the disparity between Hayes' pregame statement that Florida QB Tim Tebow was "going down" and the way Tebow manhandled Hayes and the FSU defense. The scene could have gotten ugly, but the 54-year-old Foley stepped between the reporter and the 218-pound linebacker and got Hayes moving toward the locker room.

Why is that so brave, you ask? The last time an authority figure (a Tallahassee police officer outside Potbelly's Bar on Sept. 21) tried to calm an angry Hayes, he needed a Taser.

If Foley would risk bodily harm so readily, he'd certainly risk hurting his pride by letting his team play Zook's team. Besides, Foley's decision to fire Zook might have been the best decision for both men.

Zook doesn't coach anymore like the man who never won more than eight games at Florida. He still recruits like a man possessed, but he also coaches to win instead of not to lose. Maybe he figured out what got him fired and adjusted to ensure it doesn't happen again.

Meanwhile, Foley need only point to his trophy case to prove he made the best decision for Florida. Though Zook recruited many of the players, the Gators needed Coach Urban Meyer to lead them to the 2006 national title.

But, if West Virginia and Missouri win this weekend and scuttle the Illini's Rose Bowl dreams by shutting Ohio State out of the national title game, Florida-Illinois is the best likely matchup the Capital One Bowl can put together.

And man, will it be awkward.

How awkward? Rent the film "Swingers" and watch the scene in which lovable loser Mike explains his recent breakup to the answering machine of the woman he just met at a bar. Then double the awkwardness.

Foley would be like the guy who dumped his pretty, plucky girlfriend for a supermodel only to bump into the ex three years later and find out she'll be walking alongside the current flame in the Victoria's Secret fashion show.

The encounter backstage might not be pleasant, but the fireworks on the catwalk will make for great theater.

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

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