A favorite Gator weekend

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Hoops Gators knocked off #2 Michigan State, while Tebow’s Swamp Legacy concluded with yet another pasting of the worthless Seminoles of Florida State… all within 24 hours of each other.

In terms of schadenfreude, could this have been written any more sweetly? ESPN College Gameday dropped by, not because of the enormity of the game — FSU stinks, after all — but the significance of Tim Tebow’s final game in the Swamp. The parallel storyline, Bobby Bowden’s coaching legacy, was necessarily weak in the modern sense thanks to Bowden’s lack of accomplishments in the last 8 years of his career.

FSU’s ship is sinking. HMS Bowden is taking on water faster than Jimbo Fisher can bail it out. Meanwhile, the Gators are two games away from a historic accomplishment, and Tebow’s legacy as the greatest player in college football history is nearly cemented.

Good times, ladies and gentlemen. A halcyon era of Gator dominance… a masterful meld of coaching and players to produce an unprecedented string of success against Florida’s rivals.

But enough on the 6-6 Nolies, who don’t feature a single player on the roster who know the taste of victory over the Gators.

You want to talk about Gator Greats? Sure, Tebow’s one, but many of the Gator Greats of ‘09 play on defense. Brandon Spikes. Carlos Dunlap. Ryan Stamper. Joe Haden. A.J. Jones. While UF enjoyed a field day against FSU’s swiss-cheese offense, against better competition, our defense has carried the day. Thank you, boys. You may have walked through that tunnel for the last time, but you will not be forgotten.

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How to Buy Your Girlfriend the Best Fan Outfit

Regardless of whether your girlfriend is a sports fan or not, if you like football, baseball, basketball, or hockey, chances are you’ll want to take her to a game someday. While she could wear her normal attire, it’s common to feel left out at a game if not wearing the proper apparel, especially at college sporting events.

Sure, you could dig through your closet and find something for her to wear, but she’s probably not going to be too thrilled about throwing on an oversized t-shirt or jersey. Thankfully, team apparel selections aren’t limited to the generic rack of tees and sweatpants found at the nearest supermarket. We’ve put together some team outfits appropriate for warmer weather. Have your girlfriend looking her best in authentic team apparel that suits her personality and style.

As this Alabama Crimson Tide outfit demonstrates, plenty of team accessory options can be found if you know where to look. While there is nothing wrong with a team tee, a lightweight, comfortable ruffle dress is a great option and looks fine with the simplest of shoes. Add sunglasses, earrings, and a watch, and your girlfriend will be supporting the team from head to toe in items she actually likes.

Even a simple outfit such as this Ohio State ensemble shows plenty of team spirit. The logo-pattered cover-up dress and flip flops assure comfort and the watch adds a nice touch. If desired, the trio can be paired with accessories such as a scarf or floppy hat, as shown. You might like baseball hats, but chances are your girlfriend might like something else even better.

If your girlfriend isn’t into dresses or the weather is a bit colder, something like this Florida Gators combination could be perfect (and it's obviously my favorite). If jackets are her thing, a lightweight full zip jacket paired with matching jewelry makes a big statement and shows the team logo in subtle but effective ways. The bracelet, pendant, and earrings are stylish without being overpowering.

This Texas Longhorns outfit is another simple yet great example of fashionable team gear that your girlfriend will love. Shirts such as the striped tube top look like items that could be found at the mall. A leather watch makes a great accessory regardless, and the team logo makes it even better. A flip flops pendant necklace is a great summer item.

So, if your girlfriend isn’t thrilled about spending hours at a sporting event (or even if she is), keep your own team clothes to yourself and surprise her with comfortable and fashionable women’s apparel. Forget the plain men’s crewneck tee for her, unless you want to see it crumped up in the bottom of her closet or in her workout clothes pile. Pick her out something special that suits her style, and she probably will find places other than sporting events to wear it.