January 2nd, 2013 01:47am
by Robbie Andreu
Having covered Charlie Strong for most of the years he was at Florida, I think it’s pretty safe to assume he has crafted a great defensive game plan for the Sugar Bowl. If there are any doubts about that, just look back to the 2008 BCS Championship Game, when he came up with a great game plan that pretty much shut down an Oklahoma offense that had gone up and down the field against everybody in the regular season.
Strong is …
Read More »
View All Comments (17)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
December 31st, 2012 10:21am
by Robbie Andreu
NEW ORLEANS — During the three years that he was not carrying the football for the Gators, tailback Mike Gillislee continued to hold on to one of his biggest goals he set for himself when he arrived at Florida. He wanted to one day have his picture hanging up in the running backs meeting room next to UF’s 1,000-yard rushers.
Well, following a rather remarkable senior season, Gillislee’s picture will be going up very soon next to Emmitt Smith, Ciatrick Fason …
Read More »
View All Comments (4)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
December 29th, 2012 01:13am
by Robbie Andreu
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 …
Read More »
View All Comments (9)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
December 5th, 2012 03:30pm
by Robbie Andreu
There are five top juniors who will consider leaving early for the draft. There is a chance all five could go. Here’s a look at those players and their chances of leaving early:
View All Comments (40)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
November 23rd, 2012 09:02am
by Robbie Andreu
At this time a week ago, I was really feeling some positive vibes about Florida’s chances of winning in Tallahassee. But they have subsided. After watching the Gator offense struggle to score 23 points against a bad Jacksonville State defense, I just don’t see where the points are going to come from to beat the Seminoles.
The Gators are going to have major problems getting first downs Saturday, much less sustaining drives against the nation’s No. 1 total defense. Maybe if …
Read More »
View All Comments (40)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
November 15th, 2012 02:16pm
by Robbie Andreu
There is one thing you can say about this Florida team. It is predictable. In fact, you pretty much know what’s going to happen every week. The offense is going to come out in the first half and look like it’s never going to score. The defense and special teams are going to be strong and keep the Gators in the game. Then, somehow, in the second half the offense comes up with just enough plays for the Gators to …
Read More »
View All Comments (27)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
November 9th, 2012 09:20am
by Robbie Andreu
After nailing the pick last week (I predicted UF would struggle to beat Missouri 14-10), I’m feeling very positive about where I’m going with this pick against the University of Louisiana.
For openers, I’ll be stunned if the Florida offense continues to struggle like it has, especially in the passing game. Having gone against SEC defenses in the last eight games, the Gators finally get a break. The Ragin’ Cajuns are far from being an SEC-type defense. UL is 114th in …
Read More »
View All Comments (7)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
November 2nd, 2012 12:02pm
by Robbie Andreu
I had a strong feeling going into the Georgia game that Florida’ struggling offense would make the Bulldogs’ struggling defense look good, and that’s exactly what happened. Throw in six turnovers to go along with the overall lack of offensive production and the Gators had to stomach a 17-9 loss that prevented UF from clinching the SEC’s Eastern Division. Take away the takeaways and the Gators would be sitting at 8-0 right now and making plans for Atlanta.
But we’re not …
Read More »
View All Comments (23)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
October 26th, 2012 10:37am
by Robbie Andreu
After listening in on numerous conversations all week, I’ve come to the conclusion that there are two factions of Gator fans out there with two very different views of Saturday’s game in Jacksonville.
There are the young fans who think Florida football started in 1990 with Steve Spurrier. These fans are calm, confident, certain the Gators will walk over the ‘Dogs and win the Eastern Division title while hardly breaking a sweat. Their positive feelings are wrapped around the fact the …
Read More »
View All Comments (18)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
October 19th, 2012 02:24pm
by Robbie Andreu
When Steve Spurrier comes back to The Swamp (as he will be doing for the fourth time as an opposing coach), it’s pretty safe to say: expect the unexpected, whether it’s a throw-back pass to the quarterback or a fake punt or one of his favorites — the Emory & Henry formation.
Having covered Spurrier during his 12 years at Florida, I think I have a pretty good feel for this guy. Here’s what I think he’s going to throw at …
Read More »
View All Comments (21)
CATEGORY Uncategorized
Robbie Andreu has been The Sun’s college football beat writer since 1993. He covered every game of the Steve Spurrier coaching era. The only game he’s missed since he has been in Gainesville is the 2006 Florida State game in Tallahassee. He happily stayed home for that one because of the imminent birth of his second child. Before coming to The Sun in March of 1993, Andreu worked for the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel for 10 years, covering a variety of sports, including the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Hurricanes, professional golf and baseball (playoffs and World Series). He also worked in Clearwater and Bradenton. He graduated from UF in 1977.