Florida Gators vs UAB Blazers

Florida Gators vs UAB Blazers
Saturday 4:00 PT

Eastside Viewing
Ixtapa 22350 NE Marketplace Drive Redmond WA, 98053 (425) 868-8283
The game will be streamed via computer from ESPN3.com.
Come share in the excitement with fellow Gators and meet the new Club President.

Downtown Viewing
Spitfire 2219 4th Ave Seattle, WA 98121 (Belltown) (206) 441-7966
We'll be on the North Deck up front, but will return to our usual back room for Tennessee
Ezell's chicken, as well as southern side dishes and desserts, will be served!

Howdy Gators:

Well certainly the first contest of the 2011 campaign was a far more satisfying experience than last year's opener against Miami of Ohio! I vividly recall watching that game live on a flight back from NYC, and yearning for an ejector seat to shield me from the near debacle. But that was then, and this is now (to quote coming-of-age author S.E. Hinton), and I think we all have reason to be optimistic about the new-look Gator squad! While I didn't get to actually see the game against FAU, just reading the recap was more entertaining than watching the often unimaginative offensive system under Steve Addazio. From what I can gather, Florida definitely seems to have regained some of their offensive swagger, sans the incessant dive play up the middle. The ultra-speedy tandem of Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey appear unstoppable, and John Brantley seems to have found a greater comfort zone in the revamped, pro-style scheme. Of course, one game does not make a season, but it seems that we will have a more dynamic offense with Charlie Weis managing the helm and using the entire Gators arsenal. On the defensive side of the ball, it looks like there's a pronounced spike in overall energy and enthusiasm, which is not surprising given Will Muschamp's credentials as a defensive guru. Once again, a single impressive performance doth not make a season, but some writers speculate that this year's defensive front may be the most dominant we have had in years. This weekend the #18 Gators return to Florida Field to face off against the University of Alabama Blazers - so named because of their penchant for stylish, double-breasted jackets (OK, that might not be entirely accurate....) For UAB, this will be the opening game of the season, and presumably they won't fair very well in the raucous environs of TheSwamp, particularly given the nighttime kickoff. Let's hope Florida continues to exhibit the exuberance of last week, and uses this game as an opportunity to accentuate the positives and improve upon some of the facets of their game where they fell a tad short (the two interceptions and the seemingly inevitable muffed snap come to mind). Come on out this Saturday and watch the Gators deliver another spirited performance and gear up for their upcoming battle against the dreaded (or perhaps dreadful?) Tennessee Volunteers. Yes, once again, it's very early in the season, but based on the somewhat lackluster performances by some of our SEC brethren last weekend (I'm looking at you Georgia, Auburn and South Carolina), perhaps it's not too bold to conclude that Florida could be something of a force in the conference this year.

Go Gators, Courtney