College football is politics, as coaches are forced to pitch their respective schools to teenagers, and then rely on voters to "yay" or "nay" their schools in or out of a bowl game. No other place is the political landscape as fertile and ever-changing as the state of Florida.

The Big 3

It is well documented that Florida consists of 3 major powerhouses; Miami, UF and FSU. Miami dominated through the eighties before entering the dark ages. This opened the door for already rising programs, UF and FSU, to romp through the Clinton years and dominate the college football landscape.

Miami then had resurgence under Butch Davis who screwed up royally by leaving just when the gettin' was good. After 2000, Miami had a couple of the greatest teams ever until Larry Coker did his thing all the way out the door. UF won a title in 2006 and FSU has been progressively sloppy since Chris Rix was quarterback.

Eye of the Storm

Interestingly, of the "Big 3" the Hurricanes are now the most disciplined. It's a real mind blower I realize but it is true. They've clamped down on academic standards and for the most part disciplinary issues have dropped. Combine that with a stout recruiting class a year ago thanks to an impressive 2008 crop of recruits emerging from Dade County and you can see that the future could be very bright. The future is not yet secure because Miami was very bad by typical standards a year ago and Randy Shannon has not yet proven anything on the field, even though he has seemed to earned respect from players by their performance in the classroom and with his recruiting prowess. Of the Big 3 Miami has a huge advantage in the fact that they only need to keep half the talent from southern Florida to stay south and they will always be a force. Prognosis: a new, cleaner version of Miami is soon to be back!

Will he stay or go?

No, I'm not talking about Billy Donovan, it is Urban Meyer who is rumored to always have an ear open to leaving the Gators. This is not a mainstream rumor, really, just a sneaking suspicion that a northern boy could be interested in other offers in the next few years. Couple that with Florida's off field woes as of late, the always competitive SEC and increasingly difficult in-state recruiting battles and it becomes understandable. If he stays than UF should be in great shape and even if he leaves, whoever comes in should have a tremendous foundation to work from. One additional issue is their academic requirements will always allow schools like USF to swipe a couple non-qualifiers, but still.....Prognosis: As strong as the Euro!

Please GO!

Bobby Bowden, much like Joe Paterno, has led his team to the dark depths of mediocrity. Yes, after 15 years of top 5 finishes the Seminoles find themselves with depth, discipline and coaching issues every year. Somehow they continue to recruit great players but it makes little difference as attrition problems due to off-field and in-the-classroom failures rule the day. This has resulted in years of hopeful FSU fans eagerly awaiting to be disappointed again and again. FSU won't be great again until Bobby B. is dead or retired and at this point the shine tomahawk chop has dulled and they are approaching real competition from other Florida schools as to who has the third best team. Prognosis: Not bleak but as settling as the Florida real estate market.

OK just 1

And that 1 is South Florida. I got in a nasty argument with an FSU fan earlier this year about who had the better team in 2007: FSU or USF? I was laughed at and mocked at the notion that I would even consider something so ridiculous to be true. So much so in fact that I conceded eventually just to avoid further dispute because really, I understand I'm fucking with some deep insecurities and TRUTHS that must be hard to swallow. USF is good and they are getting better. They are DEVELOPING NFL caliber DE"s, DB's and have a playmaker in QB Matt Grothe even if he is lacking in elite skills. They have not achieved elite status but are quickly on their way to dominating the Big East similar to when Miami reigned supreme and have beat West Virginia two years in a row. That is an achievement that can't be sneezed at and neither should their increasingly competitive recruiting prowess. The Central Florida area (Tampa area, Orlando area) is ripe with talent and if they can steal a couple guys from UF and FSU every year watch out! If you don't think Gator fans have not noticed perceptions changing think again. It's all evident in the venom seen unleashed about the "lowly Big East Program" that really makes me think wisdomry, "a threat, they are." Just wait until they roll up on a couple BCS games in the next few years...Prognosis: Coach Jim Leavitt will probably leave but not until USF is good-to-go and has beaten down the doors of respect.

Me too, Me too!

I know Florida is big and all but it's not that big, right? Wrong. UCF and even FAMU have seen increased productivity the last couple of years. UCF in particular is a dominant program in the waiting as the fifth largest school in AMERICA. They are stuck in the CUSA but to their credit have done pretty well as of late, taking home the conference title in 2007. Assuming the Big East wants to grow into 12 teams, and it would be un-American if they did not, then you have to think UCF with it's new on campus stadium and oodles of cash flow should be next on the list. Granted, I'm a UCF alum but don't read too much into my bias. Consider me more of an insider into this discussion. An Ohio boy attracted to palm trees and skinny girls wearing very little that unknowingly went to a college bent on inclusion. Patience UFC, you're only about 5-10 years away.

What does this madness mean?

Don't get caught in cross-fire. There is a reason Miami, UF and FSU were so dominant at one time; lack of in-state recruiting competition (in comparison to the crazy amount of talent). Well, now a couple other institutions have been playing their cards right and climbing the ranks, no doubt watering down the field. Some guys will never leave the south to play football and now those guys have options beyond the big 3. Additionally SEC, ACC and Big 10 schools always try to poach a few stragglers every year. The evolution of Florida recruiting has been fast moving and impressive.

I'm not saying the Big 3 is going to take a back seat to anyone anytime soon but I am saying they better watch their backs (or in the case of FSU, their sides). Scholarship limits, increased athletic budgets and recruits who have grown up seeing USF ranked as high as #2 in major polls inherently know that things are not as set as stone as they once were. Traditionalists are worried ‘cause change is coming in a flash. It's not an uphill battle, its Florida where the land is flat, rich and fast!

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JEH45 said:

Lloyds: Enjoyed the article. I do believe FSU very much helped themselves by naming the next head coach. With that accomplished I see no reason why the bleeding can't stop. I see the main problem today as being the "shine" is off FSU & with the changing landscape getting it back will not be easy. To me it will be interesting to see if Miami can achieve on the field success to match their off the field successes. I'm not sure.

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July 22, 2008
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Chris said:

Just wondering where you get your information regarding USF having more relaxed academic requirements than what you call the "big 3"? I can't remember USF accepting a non-qualifier before he was fully qualified, which would mean he was qualified academically to the standards required to play for USF and in the Big East. Actually it was my understanding that the Big Easts requirements were more strict than most conferneces and that USF's were more strict than the Big East's. Just wondering where your information is coming from so that I can make sure I understand it fully. Thanks in advance.

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July 26, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

Chris- Thanks for reading! I was mainly referring to UF's leftovers. USF certainly has a less restrictive academic policy than UF from my understanding. My understanding derives from the 8 years I've spent in florida, five of which going to college at UCF and all of which following the football scene closely as a message board addict and information hound. If I'm off base in anyway, please enlighten me. I've been critical of USF in the past because I've expected their support to be stronger (fans are fickle) and think they need an on-campus stadium. But the program they have going right now is gearing up for a serious run if they continue at the current pace. One of the things that helps them is the academic standards and scholarship limitations at UF. UF's academic standards, considering they are in the SEC, are pretty damn tough. I sure as hell could not have gotten into UF as a regular student. USF, well, that is a different story. I guess I assumed the same held true with football, although I'm sure athletes have an easier time than a sports geek like me.

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July 26, 2008
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