- DraftKings ranks the Florida Gators 16th in national title odds with a +6000 line amid growing momentum for the program.
- Florida has ranked in the top 10 for the Learfield Cup, measuring overall athletic program success, for 42 consecutive years, placing sixth this year.
- Phil Mickelson will miss all majors this year after dropping out of the British Open amid controversies surrounding his behavior.
The Front 9 comes at you after a wonderful 27th anniversary celebration with good friends and the best wife anyone could ask for.
1. OK, OK. I’ll stop writing about how I think Jon Sumrall will eventually bring the glory back to Gainesville, but it may not be as quick as we would like. Too many people think it will be bullet-train fast and maybe I am just wrong. For example, DraftKings has the Gators with the 16th best chance to win a national title with a +6000 line. Say what? I’m not encouraging betting and I don’t gamble, but there is a lot of national momentum for this program. That can’t be considered a bad thing ever.
2. Scott Stricklin put out a very nice and very long letter to Gator fans about all the success UF had this year in competition and in the classroom (there are still classrooms?). It included a great stat, that Florida has been in the top 10 of the Learfield Cup (which measures overall success) for 42 straight years (sixth this year). That’s something we alums can be proud of. Now get the football and women’s basketball teams to win some games!
3. FOMO game of the week
Could be the last match for the USA in the World Cup. But I’m picking the Americans to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina (I knew they’d play a hyphenated team eventually). The knockout round is intense, and you can watch it on Fox at 8 p.m. Wednesday. Make sure to hydrate.
4. Four questions with Gator legend and Super Bowl champ Kevin Carter
- You were born in Miami and raised in Tallahassee so why did you pick Florida?
Carter: Truth be told, I was never a Seminole or a Hurricane growing up. I was, however, a HUGE Georgia Bulldogs fan (had a poster of Herschel Walker in my room) and chose to take a visit. But as Vince Dooley stepped down as coach, there went my interest in the Dawgs. It came down to two dynamic personalities as coaches (Lou Holtz and Steve Spurrier). When I took my visit to Gainesville, my decision was made… and the rest is history. - When is the last time you played the saxophone?
Carter: National Anthem at a preseason game vs the Bills in 2003 as a Tennessee Titan. It was a big part of my life growing up, helped with my confidence in that I wasn’t a great athlete at the start of high school. Personal excellence and growth through the “mastery of self” and “whatever you’re doing” standpoint. I play only by request these days, focusing my energy on my golf game! - Bigger thrill — getting your first sack against Brett Favre or your first safety against Boomer Esiason?
Carter: While every sack is precious… Sack #1… on the road at Lambeau Field… the first official regular-season game of what would be a 14-year career. We won that fateful day back in 1995… and it was Brett FREAKIN Favre!!!! That one holds a special place in my heart!!! - How often do you wear your Super Bowl ring?
Carter: I wear it when on the air broadcasting. In fact, whenever I’m on the air, as a promise to my dad, I’ve always got on “one” of my rings. Either Super Bowl, or one of my three SEC championship rings. Lou Carter told me that he didn’t EVER want to see me on TV without at least one of them on. So that’s what I do!
5. Since the SEC announced which teams will play which teams in hoops this season, the five conference games that will get the season ticket holders fired up
- Kentucky. Always. Underrated rivalry nationally.
- Texas. The Longhorns probably have the second-best talent in the SEC. (Behind Florida.)
- Vanderbilt. One of the few revenge games from last season.
- Missouri. Probably be in the top 25 when the Tigers come to Gainesville.
- Texas A&M. Bucky Ball may be better than a year ago.
6. This will happen this week
You will be watching Wednesday’s soccer game and think to yourself that the Americans are playing against a basketball team. The opponent lives for headers because multiple players are at least 6-foot-4.
7. Hot take of the week
Man, Phil Mickelson dropping out of the British Open — which means he will play in zero majors this year — is the second biggest story involving a guy who used to count me among his biggest fans. When he joined LIV, I dismissed him, but the latest stories revolving around his infidelities and inappropriate behavior make him persona non grata at multiple courses and the PGA Tour. Sometimes, elite athletes start believing they are bulletproof, and only fictional superheroes truly are.
8. Tweet of the week
This one from college football writer Zach Barnett: “The great irony of the Brendan Sorsby saga: he’s faced a much harsher consequence by trying to avoid accountability than he would’ve if he’d just accepted the NCAA’s punishment in the first place.”
9. Remote drop of the week
Occasionally, this movie shows up on one of the 9,000 channels we get. I remember seeing it as a child in Gainesville and the tickets we purchased were huge for some reason. Maybe my hands were small. Anyway, “A Hard Day’s Night” is epic and helped The Beatles become even bigger stars.