Gators' focus on Seminoles

With all due respect to Florida International, top-ranked Florida was over its 62-3 victory as soon as it ended.

Once four zeros read across the game clock in the fourth quarter, the fight song was played and sung, and the victory laps were finished, the Gators were thinking about their next opponent: Florida State.

UF coach Urban Meyer was fresh off giving respect to his team's undermanned opponent before he announced FSU talk immediately began in the locker room after Saturday's victory.

No champions were called up. No emotional speeches were given.

"It's the world," Meyer said of the FSU rivalry. "It's what makes this job the best in college football. It's what makes this stadium the best in college football. It will be senior day at Florida. This is going to be a special week. In case you're wondering, it's started already."

While Meyer claims the talk about FSU, or "the school out west" as he often refers to Florida's bitter rival, began Saturday afternoon, one Gator wouldn't be surprised if thoughts of the Seminoles crept into the minds of the coaches well before Saturday's 12:37 p.m. kickoff.

"The coaches probably game planned ahead for them because our opponent this week wasn't really that good," junior offensive lineman Mike Pouncey said.

Rivalry weeks around Florida's program are special, but for most players, this one tops them all.

UF's roster is mostly comprised of Florida natives who grew up watching this game. Sides were taken early in their lives and now they've been lucky enough to play in one of college football's biggest rivalries.

"It's a lot of hatred," junior safety Ahmad Black said. "It started even before us. It goes way back to the earlier days. We've won five straight. We don't want to be the team that loses the streak."

The Gators lead the all-time series 32-19-2.

Pouncey wasn't exactly sure how many games the Gators have won in row against FSU, but he was sure that with the preparation expected this week, there won't be much of a chance for that streak to end.

"It's five? So, it will be six," he said. "They're always good and it's a rivalry game, so everybody's going to play a little harder."

The hype and excitement smothering Saturday's game will be elevated by ESPN's College GameDay's appearance, the debut of the Nike Pro Combat uniforms and senior day.

Not just any senior day, though. It will be a goodbye to the winningest senior class in SEC history.

The reception should prompt thousands of travel Kleenex packages to be ripped open before a down is even played.

Even with Superman status, quarterback Tim Tebow said he's preparing for an emotional goodbye, but leaving with a victory against a school he has despised since childhood should help dry his eyes a little.

"Winning this game helps put a smile on your face, that's for sure," he said.

Senior linebacker Ryan Stamper said he expects the microscope placed just above Florida's program to be enhanced over the next few days. With that comes distractions, but Stamper expects the focus to be right. The objective of getting to 12-0 will be the top priority.

Still, ending his career with a perfect record against the Seminoles is something Stamper cherishes.

"That will be big," he said. "I grew up watching the Florida-Florida State rivalry since I was little. Going out with them not beating us once would be a great thing."