re: 2001 #4 Tennessee vs. #2 Florida

I still think the 01 team was the best offense UF ever had. Spurrier has even said that 01 was his best team and they didn't win anything but an Orange Bowl trophy.

I worked security on the sidelines of that SEC champ game

It was Spurrier most talented team for sure.

I'd say the 96 team was his best team though.

If Florida's starting RB hadn't missed the game due to being injured the previous week from a cheap shot from FSU, I think Florida wins that game easily.

Florida lost two games that year to Auburn and Tennessee, the starting RB missed both of those games I believe.

quote:

---

Spurrier has even said that 01 was his best team and they didn't win anything but an Orange Bowl trophy.

---

He's said he was burnt out by that point.

quote:

---

That 2001 Tennessee team had some monsters.

I was in the Dome the day LSU beat them, and couldn't believe we were hanging with them let alone winning the game. They had NFL guys all over the field. Haynesworth, Henderson, Stephens, Stallworth, Witten, etc.

Ahhh the memories. A great era in CFB.

---

Stephens (aka the other Travis) ran all over Florida that game. He was unstoppable. Unfortunately for us we got the big head after winning that game. We were underdogs by a huge margin and I think once it was won we went into the SECCG thinking we were God's gift to football (no doubt Kelley Washington did).

That team's hubris lost the SECCG.

quote:

---

Kelly Washington was also on that team (set records galore that year) but he marked the beginning of the end for Fulmer. Total lockerroom cancer.

---

Washington set the UT receiving record against LSU in the September game. Something like 256 yards.

In the SECCG Tennessee knocked the LSU QB out of the game but was unable to defense the back up QB. Travis Stephens and Donte Stallworth both fumbled in the second half as I recall. LSU put it to us.

We still lead the series by double digits.

quote:

---

Couldn't even be mad at our effort.

Stephens was a man amongst boys.

Was more frustrated with the mental errors than anything else.

Single most infuriating loss as a UF fan.

UF was a terrible matchup for LSU too.

If UF beats Tennessee, they likely play for it all against Miami.

---

No doubt. Stephens was just having one of those games where you can do no wrong. He was simply incredible -- no one was gonna stop him.

And yeah, UF plays Miami if they'd won and UF likely wins that game too. Damn shame that it didn't happen -- UF lost to the #4 team in a rivalry game for crying out loud. I know late losses hurt but that should've counted for something.

Honestly tho... When both UF and UT were playing at their peak they were the two best teams in the country with Miami right along side us. Damn shame that both had moments of derping it up.

UT could of gave that Miami team hell too. I remember BC and VT gave Miami trouble that year by just playing safe and sound football. If y'all would of got them and Stephens would of had the same type of night, who knows. That 01 Miami team was just talented beyond belief and Coker just had them play safe common sense football. I just think they wouldnt have been ready for UF's aerial assault that year and would of pressed and got taken out of their comfort zone if we come out and score fast.

Well Miami had a great dline and Sean Taylor and Phillip Buchanan in the secondary. That still gives me pause about how many points we could of put up. If UFs oline could hold serve I think we work our way down the field on them every drive.

ETA: frick I think Ed Reed was back there too!