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Quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) eludes Josh Evans during UF’s 20-17 win at Texas A&M on Sept. 8.

Sports

Picks Column: Bye Week

Sep. 12, 2013

This week’s edition of the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column finds our crew soul-searching, desperate for meaning in our lives.

Pamela Begic battles for the ball during Florida’s 2-0 win against Oklahoma State on Sept. 8 at James G. Pressly Stadium.

Sports

Gators preparing to face two unbeaten opponents this weekend

By MICHELLE PROVENZANO< | Sep. 12, 2013

Southeastern Conference Freshman of the Week Pamela Begic is already making an impact for the Florida offense this season.

Sports

Florida cross country preparing for first home meet of 2013

By GORDON STREISAND< | Sep. 12, 2013

After a strong performance two weeks ago at the Western Carolina Invitational, Florida looks to carry its momentum back home to Gainesville for the 2013 Mountain Dew Invitational.

Ronald Powell attempts a tackle during during Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Sept. 7 in Sun Life Stadium. Powell has two sacks this season.

Sports

New Harry Potter film has similarities on football field

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 12, 2013

On Thursday, the film and literature worlds were rocked by an out-of-the-blue announcement — the Harry Potter universe will come back to film with an adaptation of author J.K. Rowling’s “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.”

Olivia Janowicz prepares to return a serve in a match against Duke in 2011.

Sports

Florida to debut two freshmen this weekend at Fab Four Invitational

By ERICA A. HERNANDEZ | Sep. 12, 2013

For their first play of the year, the Gators will bring their young and old talent to Durham, N.C., for Duke’s Fab Four Invitational.

Gators coach Buddy Alexander announced Tuesday that he will retire after the season ends.

Sports

Gators to compete at Olympia Fields Invitational for fifth straight season

By LAWRENCE LAGUNA< | Sep. 12, 2013

The No. 18 Florida men’s golf team will tee off the 2013-14 season at the Olympia Fields/Fighting Illini Invitational tonight in Olympia Fields, Ill.

Jeff Driskel rushes during Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Saturday in Sun Life Stadium. Driskel suffered a knee sprain in the game but is expected to face Tennessee on Sept. 21.

Sports

Driskel expected to face Vols

By PHIL HEILMAN< | Sep. 11, 2013

A bye week has come at the perfect time for the Gators.

Junior tight ends Tevin Westbrook (87) and Clay Burton (88) block Miami defenders during Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Saturday in Sun Life Stadium. UF has three offensive linemen dealing with injuries.

Sports

Johnson planning to redshirt despite injuries along offensive line

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 11, 2013

If coach Will Muschamp had his way, Rod Johnson would not see the field this year.

Sports

Three-star offensive line prospect decommits from Gators

By LANDON WATNICK< | Sep. 11, 2013

After maintaining his verbal commitment to the Gators for about seven months, Class of 2014 offense tackle Benjamin Knox opened up his options Tuesday night.

Jeff Driskel runs through a drill during warm-ups prior to Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Saturday in Sun Life Stadium. Driskel turned the ball over three times in the game.

Sports

Red-zone blunders spoil otherwise productive offense

By ADAM LICHTENSTEIN< | Sep. 10, 2013

Jeff Driskel’s redemption was imminent.

Simone Antwi jumps for the ball during Florida’s 3-0 victory against New Orleans on Aug. 30 in the O’Connell Center. UF is 5-1 this season.

Sports

Play of middle blocker will prove critical to Gators’ success

By RJ Schaffer | Sep. 10, 2013

Although it may seem as if Florida was run out of the gym by then-No. 1 Penn State on Sunday, there were enough positives to leave the Gators optimistic moving forward.

Johnny Manziel scrambles during the third quarter of Texas A&M’s 52-31 victory against Rice on Aug. 31, 2013 in College Station, Texas.

Sports

The Rally: Who will win the Texas A&M-Alabama matchup on Saturday?

By JOE MORGAN< | Sep. 10, 2013

Each week, two alligatorSports columnists will debate the biggest looming matchup in college football. Today, Joe Morgan and Phil Heilman preview No. 1 Alabama’s showdown against No. 7 Texas A&M in College Station, Texas, on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.

Jeff Driskel runs the ball during Florida’s 21-16 loss to Miami on Sept. 7 in Sun Life Stadium. Driskel is the Gators’ starting quarterback heading into the season, but the backup remains unknown for now.

Sports

Gators defend Driskel after loss

By ADAM PINCUS< | Sep. 9, 2013

Jeff Driskel suffered a “slight sprain to the knee” against Miami, UF announced Monday. The injury was part of a forgettable, muggy Saturday in Sun Life Stadium. He is expected to return to face Tennessee on Sept. 21, aiming to build on the good — a career-high 291 passing yards — and improve on the bad — his three turnovers against the Hurricanes.

Gabby Mallette squats to bump the ball during Florida’s 3-0 win against Duke on Aug. 31 in the O’Connell Center. No. 5 Florida beat then-No. 2 Stanford on Saturday before losing to then-No. 1 Penn State on Sunday.

Sports

Early loss prepares Florida for rigors of postseason play

By JONATHAN CZUPRYN< | Sep. 9, 2013

In the finale of the Campus USA Invite last week, Florida rebounded to defeat Duke after showing some signs of weakness against LIU-Brooklyn the previous night.