Spurrier takes aim at the enemies

Published on Friday, 7/24/15, at 2:35 p.m. Eastern.

Here are some notes/quotes/links/picks, etc…

–Steve Spurrier wasn’t pleased Wednesday and decided to call a quick presser with just 75 minutes of notice to the media. Spurrier wasn’t happy the local newspaper printed a column written by Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that implied the South Carolina program was in decline. Another source of his dismay was apparently a quote from Clemson QB Deshaun Watson, who indicated he planned on going undefeated against the Gamecocks. Watson helped the Tigers snap a five-game losing streak (all by double-digit margins) to South Carolina last season. You can check out Spurrier’s rant here after scrolling down toward the bottom of this column by USA Today’s Dan Wolken, who calls The HBC ‘petulant.’ Forget Wolken’s remarks. This is vintage Spurrier, drawing criticism on himself to take the pressure off his players and to fire up his fan base. The last time Spurrier drew so much ire from the media boys was late in 1996. He spent a month throwing darts at Bobby Bowden and Mickey Andrews for teaching their players to take cheap shots on opposing QBs. The media blasted the HBC in the week leading up to the rematch with FSU on Jan. 2 of 1997. In reality, he was making the hits on Danny Wuerffel a big deal to embarrass and fire up his offensive line. Those guys up front responded, Spurrier used the shotgun formation for the first time in his career and the Gators crushed the ‘Noles by a 52-20 count to win their first national title in school history. Now I’m not implying Wednesday’s events are going to culminate with the Gamecocks going to Atlanta in early December. However, I certainly think this will fire up his players, who have spent the offseason listening to the media predict dire results for 2015. There’s never a dull moment with Stephen Orr Spurrier.

—I’m bullish on Auburn’s season win total to go ‘over’ 8.5.

—I also like Wisconsin’s win total ‘over’ 9.5.

–From The Big Lead — a nice breakdown of the best college football weekends for 2015.

–Florida junior CB Vernon Hargreaves III recently did a Q&A with the Gainesville Sun.

–I was on ESPN Radio Nashville earlier today hitting on the Big Ten and the ACC with the A to Z Gang. You can listen here if you wish.

—Josh Peter of USA Today breaks down Tim Tebow’s two-year preparation for his return to the NFL. He’ll get his shot at Eagles camp starting on Aug. 1.

–Another former Florida QB Chris Leak is also in the NFL this year. After spending two years on Will Muschamp’s staff (the first as a grad assistant, the second as the WRs coach after Joker Phillips was forced to resign), Leak has landed with the Tampa Bay Bucs in a role managing football development.

–The prize of Wisconsin’s 2015 recruiting class — 4-star RB Jordan Stevenson — has been denied admission. Therefore, he’s recruitment is wide open. The contenders are believed to be Tennessee, Ohio St., Texas, Nebraska and possibly Texas Tech because his high school coach is now on the Red Raiders staff.