Since moving into my new house this semester, I've started playing a lot of ping pong with four of my roommates.
The competition has been generally balanced, but there is one roommate who is a little bit behind the big four - think Man U, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
Every time I play that roommate - Sunderland, let's say - I use it as a time to develop my game. There's little to no chance of me losing to him, so maybe I bust out a new serve or attempt a slam I wouldn't normally try. My forehand is a little weak, so I try to force myself to hit more forehands against him.
Now, I have developed a stronger serve and a serviceable forehand for whenever I play the big boys.
That is exactly how Florida should treat the upcoming Charleston Southern game.
There's little to no chance of an App State-level upset happening, but that doesn't mean there isn't something to gain from playing a team like the Bucs to open up the new season's schedule.
Try Joe Haden at quarterback, see how a three-man defensive line looks or get a new offensive package some work in a low-pressure environment.
Urban Meyer and the coaching staff think that stuff might help them win down the road, but they can't really be sure.
What could be a better idea than experimenting in a game that you will probably win 999 times out of 1,000?
Sure, Haden could get hurt playing quarterback, but he could get hurt playing cornerback, too.
If you think the benefit you will receive from having him play in a real game situation outweighs the injury risk, then it makes sense to use him.
Charleston Southern is still a better litmus test than practice, if for no other reason than the 90,000 screaming fans causing an intense, pressure-filled atmosphere.
Another plus to experimenting this weekend: It gives the coaches one more chance to throw the new stuff out if it doesn't work.
If the under-center package looks limiting and unsuccessful against Charleston Southern, the Gators probably won't want to use that when they travel to LSU or when FSU comes to town.
Yes, other teams will have some tape to watch and help them prepare, but it's not like Florida would be unveiling something completely unique.
Tennessee can prepare for the Wildcat whether or not the Vols have tape of five to 10 snaps of Haden running through the Bucs.
Just because my other roommates saw me use a new serve or forehand against Sunderland doesn't mean that my game wasn't better for having developed it against a lesser foe.
