Column: Couch’s Corner
Warm sunshine and an overwhelming scent of barbecue greet first-timers entering one of the locations that contain the greatest sporting experience a football fan could wish for. Deafening crowd noise and chills that run down the on-lookers’ spines overpower spectators as they feel the intimidating yet incredible sensation of being a part of an event that is recognized around the world as one of the most desired sporting experiences.
This is college football in the Sunshine State.
The history is rich, and the passion is overpowering. Whether it’s from the Swamp in Gainesville watching the Florida Gators or in Orlando watching the UCF Knights from Spectrum Stadium, having the privilege of standing amongst tens of thousands of wild fans in 75-degree October weather is an experience that is difficult to match.
Not only is the state’s college football atmosphere incredible, but Florida is home to some of the country’s highest caliber of on-the-field product.
To name a few, the Florida Gators finished the 2018 season as No. 7 in the country and UCF finished as No. 11 in the nation. The University of Miami, the University of South Florida and Florida International all finished with winning records in the 2018 season.
The Florida college football experience is primed to be even better in 2019 as the sunshine state welcomes Ohio State transfer quarterback Tate Martel to the University of Miami. Martel is known to be arguably the greatest high school football player ever, going 43-0 as a starter. With one of the easiest 2019 football schedules, Martel and the Hurricanes have an excellent chance to make a push for the College Football playoff, barring a loss to the
Florida Gators in week one.
UCF will begin the 2019 campaign without the talents of Heisman-caliber quarterback McKenzie Milton due to injury. The Knights will rely on either sophomore quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. or Notre Dame transfer Brandon Wimbush to carry them to their third straight undefeated regular season. The Knights have begun to generate excitement throughout the nation after two consecutive years of making legitimate arguments for the College Football Playoff.
The Florida Gators will look to build off of a 2018 season that saw them regain their status as the state’s top team. The Swamp has crept back into the elite tier of the nation’s most dreaded stadiums to play in.
Legacy, intimidation, excitement, dedication. Florida college football is a league of its own. The 2019 season will see three Florida teams enter the postseason in the top 10.
Maybe that is a bold prediction. But the Hurricanes, Gators and Knights all have the talent and schedules to obtain top 10 status.
It doesn’t matter if you prefer the SEC or ACC, Florida has both. Say what you will, Texas has its football, California has its football. But Florida does it best. From the pregame hype to the on-field display of talent. From the stadium atmospheres to the gorgeous season-long temperatures. It is paradise. You haven’t lived until you experience a college football game in the Sunshine State. The fall can’t
come soon enough.
couch is the
assistant sports editor.