As the Florida Gators found out in the past, the allure of Bourbon Street can be strong, and it can be game-changing when it comes to the outcome of the Sugar Bowl.
In 1991, the Gators celebrated their first SEC championship with what amounted to a week-long party on Bourbon Street. The Gators had a good time, apparently figuring all they had to do was show up against a heavy underdog in Notre Dame. But UF came into the game flat (and maybe a little hungover), and the Irish came in jacked up and ready to make a statement, which they did in a 39-28 domination of the Gators.
UF spent a little bit too much time on Bourbon Street again in 2000. That resulted in about a dozen players getting involved in a much-publicized shoving match with numerous Miami players one night. There is no record on who won that fight, but the Gators fell to the Hurricanes a few nights later 37-20.
Going to the Sugar Bowl (or any bowl for that matter) is the reward for a successful season. The players are supposed to have some fun and enjoy the experience of spending time in a different city and environment. But they also have to keep their focus on football and getting ready for a game.
As history has shown us, the team that comes into a bowl game flat usually gets its butt beat pretty soundly.
Several UF players reiterated Friday that this is a business trip for the Gators, and their mission isn’t to party but to win a football game to finish with a 12-1 record.
Bourbon Street is within walking distance of the Florida team hotel, and players have been down there and plan to go (at least for a while) in the coming days and nights. But the allure doesn’t seem quite as strong as it was for the 1991 and 2000 UF teams.
The Gators planned to go bowling Friday night (not exactly party stuff). Senior Lerentee McCray said he was going to Bourbon Street on Friday night, but he was going early and the only reason he was going was to get some good Louisiana gumbo.
Here’s the rule: It’s OK to visit Bourbon Street. But don’t go too often or stay too long.
Great character on this team. Possibly more so than I can recall on any Gator squad in the past. The coaching staff has done an excellent job this season and our seniors have provided great leadership, as well.
Maybe the Cardinals will go to Bourbon St. and commit a sin.
SEC Championships: Alabama 23 – Florida 8
Undefeated seasons: Alabama 13 – Florida 1 (in 1911)
Ten win seasons: Alabama 32 – Florida 12
Head to Head: Alabama 23- Florida 14
Last 3 games: Alabama 101 – Florida 29
“I don’t always drink tears, but when I do, I prefer Tim Tebow tears”
Number of teeth missing for the average Bama fan: 7
Average IQ of Bama fans: 54
Number of reasons justifying your post Roll Tide: 0
Good attitude by the players generally results in good results. This is a Gator area, we don’t care about Bama except when we beat them or in my case when they expose Notra Lame. I will never forget the arrogance of their fans when we played them in the Sugar Bowl.
“Roll Tide.”……lol. The only thing you’re rolling is Toomer’s Corner. And you couldn’t even get away with that! More proof you morons don’t know how, when and where to keep your mouth shut…. All you “bammer” fans are fricking morons. Good points, Evan and Vulcan Alex!
SEC Championships decided on the field between UF and AL.
Gators 4
Bammer 3
PS Bammer,
Be sure to thank the Gators for beating A+M and LSU or else you’d be in the Outback Bowl watching A+M or Georgia beat the snot out of ND!
Still can’t figure out how that genius satan couldn’t figure out how to stop Manziel with nine games of film on the kid. Boom shut him down with no film and 30 minutes of game experience.
BTW don’t show your face around here again if you don’t beat ND senseless!!
Alabama just better not be responsible for ending the SEC National championship winning streak to an over-hyped and overrated Notre Dame team.