Spurrier says Florida game just like any other week

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Posted 7:14PM on Tuesday, November 8, 2005

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier has downplayed the hype of Saturday's matchup against his former team, repeatedly saying the game against No. 12 Florida is just like any other. Yeah, right. Spurrier won a Heisman Trophy as Florida's quarterback in 1966, led the Gators to a national championship in 1996 and set countless other coaching records during his 12 years at Florida. His ties to Gainesville run so deep, it's hard to believe there won't be some extra emotion looking across the sidelines no matter what Spurrier says. ``I've told our guys the other day and I'm serious, as coaches we prepare the same for Vanderbilt or Troy or Clemson or Florida or whoever the team is that week, we do the same thing,'' Spurrier said Tuesday. If history is any indication, the Gamecocks might want to try something different this week. South Carolina has lost 14 consecutive games to Florida (7-2, 5-2 Southeastern Conference), which leads the series 19-3-3. And the Gamecocks (6-3, 4-3) haven't beaten the Gators since a 7-0 win in 1939. ``None of us were born I don't think the last time South Carolina beat Florida,'' Spurrier said. ``So that would be neat. That would be some history if we could do it.'' Spurrier was a perfect 10-0 against South Carolina. There have been a couple of close games with Florida, including a 24-22 loss in 2003 after he left, but who could forget the 54-17 thrashing Spurrier's Gators gave South Carolina in 2001. In that last trip to Columbia before heading off to coach the Washington Redskins, Spurrier poked fun at the Gamecock faithful for wearing all black saying his receivers could see the ball much better with all the dark clothing. Things have changed since then. ``This is my team now. It's our team. I've been with these guys about a year now,'' Spurrier said. ``Only have one team at a time and this is my team.'' Spurrier said when he was hired he wasn't looking forward to the Florida game, but many other people are. The head ball coach his preferred nickname these days filled ticket requests from friends and family during the summer, and athletics spokesman Steve Fink said some 150 single-game media credentials have been requested, in addition to those who regularly cover the Gamecocks. Another 120 photographers should crowd the sidelines. ``It will be the fullest press box of the season, easily,'' Fink said. With all the media hype surrounding the game, Spurrier has refused one-on-one interviews in an attempt to not pick and choose, Fink said. And probably to not make it a big deal. But what about those 7,000-plus Gator fans who have tickets, will they boo or cheer their ol' coach? ``I think they're just here to watch the game and pull for their team,'' Spurrier said. ``It should be a heckuva game. It really should.'' Somewhat surprisingly, there is a lot riding on Saturday's game. As usual, Florida is in the hunt for the SEC East title. The Gators need to beat South Carolina and have Georgia lose to either Auburn or Kentucky on Nov. 19 to earn a trip to the conference championship game. South Carolina is riding a four-game winning streak and is looking to improve its bowl berth after last week's 14-10 over Arkansas. ``For our program to have that in the bank right now is wonderful,'' Spurrier said. ``Our players are to be commended for that. But we've got two big ones ahead of us.'' The Gamecocks, who last won five straight games in 2001, mathematically still have an outside shot at the SEC East title. They need to win and have the Bulldogs drop their last two games. Spurrier said all of the Gamecocks' goals are all still in reach. ``One of the goals we set was to finish in the top half of the Eastern division. And I think we're going to do that,'' Spurrier said. ``Seven or eight wins are still there. Those are two other goals.'' Even if Spurrier hasn't emphasized beating his alma mater, some players have at least talked about it. ``It would be great to get a win for him and for Carolina as well,'' receiver Kris Clark said. (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)