Site: EverBank Field (Cap. 67,164)
Kickoff: 3:30 p.m.
TV/Radio: CBS
With each team fresh off a bye week, Florida and Georgia class on Saturday in Jacksonville at "The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party." The No. 11 Gators (6-1, 4-2 Southeastern Conference) have moved to the top of the SEC East while the Bulldogs (5-2, 3-2 SEC) sit close behind in second.
The Alligator Sports Brand Picks Column continues with this season’s eighth edition, and arguing this week’s Duke vs. Miami game is alligatorSports editor Graham Hall and Alligator managing/online editor Jordan McPherson.
Duke will win because...
Much has been made of Duke’s defense, but quarterback Thomas Sirk is one of the conference’s premier passers. Sirk leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in total offense with 280.6 yards and isn’t afraid to run with the ball, as evidenced by his game-winning two point conversion in quadruple overtime to down Virginia Tech last week. The Blue Devils aren’t accustomed to losing over the last two and a half seasons, having gone 23-4 in their last 27 regular season games. I don’t see Duke losing to a reeling Miami squad.
— Graham Hall
Miami will win because...
Oh wait, I'm supposed to have an argument for this? Maybe the Hurricanes will be motivated by the firing of Al Golden and come out fired up.
But probably not.
— Jordan McPherson
Now onto the picks!
In first place with a record of 34-29-1 is Alligator managing/online editor Jordan "Ferret" McPherson, whose tufts of fur he calls a beard makes him resemble a scurrying rodent. We considered calling you "sugarglider" but that seemed mean.
In second place with a record of 33-30-1 is the Palm Beach Post’s Anthony "People Are Mean" Chiang, who was appalled at the bitterness exchanged in a beat writer email this week. Time to accept that people say bad words sometimes, Chiang. You’re the kind of guy who sits in his house in unincorporated Dade County and watches TV with a V-Chip on.
We have a two way tie for third place with a 32-31-1 records. First up is the Orlando Sentinel’s Edgar "I think I’m going to die" Thompson, who felt so sick on Wednesday that he had to take a seat on the sidewalk following a media session. It’s OK Edgar, even if you die from a tummy ache you’ll still outlive Graham Hall.
In a tie with Edgar is alligatorSports assistant editor Luis "I love Al Golden" Torres, who was found sobbing in the office following the former Miami coach’s dismissal.
We are all relieved he’s gone, Luis, because we don’t have to hear you talk about how smart and professional he is anymore. If he’s your role model, it explains a lot about your personality.
In fifth place with a 31-32-1 record we have Gator Country’s Nick "Cheapskate" De La Torre, who has openly complained to coach Jim McElwain about Dunkin Donuts changing its "Happy Hour" policy.
Come on Nick, you’re going to have to pony up for the quality coffee. Use some of that undeserved salary Gator Country pays you.
In sixth with a 29-34-1 record is alligatorSports editor Graham "Ramadan" Hall, who believed the Muslim month of fasting was a Jewish tradition.
How could you be so stupid, Graham? Oh wait, it’s that Alachua County education you received.
In seventh place with a 28-35-1 record we have 247Sports’ Thomas "Transcription King" Goldkamp, who sent out an email to the beat writers saying how much they suck at transcribing quotes.
Hey Thomas, we appreciate your thoroughness and attention to detail, but maybe next time you and Mark Long can go through the emails and see who sent you the problematic section? Seems simple enough to us.
And STILL in dead-ass-last with a piss-poor record of 25-38-1 is alligatorSports’ staff writer Graham "Wallflower" Hack, who "enlightened" Edgar with NASCAR knowledge following Wednesday’s morning media session.
Hey Graham, nobody cares if Jeff Gordon wins his final race of his career. He’s trailer park trash, just like every NASCAR fan.
