I didn’t think the postponement of this season’s LSU-Florida game had that much bearing on the emotions surrounding this game. It’s time for a mea culpa because I absolutely, positively could not have been more wrong. Not only did Florida remember all the things said and written about them ducking the game, about the Gators being too scared to play it in October or other asinine conspiracy theories on why the game wasn’t played a month ago ...
Scared of losing and falling in the standings, Florida is using #HurricaneMatthew to dodge LSU.
— FOX Sports Radio (@FoxSportsRadio) October 7, 2016
-- @ClayTravis. https://t.co/94dYwmMBje pic.twitter.com/bRRomUvoqm
... they took the field in November with a chip on their shoulder, and after beating LSU 16-10, they let em have it.
LSU also lays claim to the hypest pre-kickoff song in college football. I’ve been to Tiger Stadium, and can tell you that it does indeed get the people going.
But apparently, the Tigers no longer roll with it.
LSU do away with the itch I'm from Louweezyanna song?
— Thomas Goldkamp (@ThomasGoldkamp) November 19, 2016
It’s fine though, because Florida sung it in the locker room anyway.
We call it the BOOT‼️ pic.twitter.com/4WsSIoeRN5
— Teez Tabor (@_31Flavorz) November 19, 2016
You bet Jim McElwain remembered all the talk back in October as well.
100 percent agree @CoachMcElwain pic.twitter.com/GtyllZq6FW
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) November 19, 2016
“They got some guts, they got some pride,” head coach Jim McElwain said after the win. “They were called out. And you know what amazes me? People call people out when there’s actual tragedy happening. Unbelievable to me.”
Jim McElwain: "It just shocks me that someone would question the Gators. The way I look at it (LSU) got what they deserve."
— Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorreGC) November 19, 2016
Florida coach Jim McElwain on LSU: "They got what they deserved."
— Julie Boudwin (@Julie_Boudwin) November 19, 2016
Defensive lineman Caleb Brantley, wide receiver Antonio Callaway, defensive back Chauncey Gardner and running back Jordan Scarlett channeled their coach’s words as well.
Twitter can't save you on the field !
— Caleb Brantley (@RichYungg57) November 19, 2016
“They insulted us… are we going to lay down or smack them in the mouth.” — Scarlett
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) November 19, 2016
It don't matter where we play lol!
— Antonio Callaway (@Ripbobby_G) November 19, 2016
We Don't Run From NOBODY AT ALL ..... Twitter Fingers Will Get U Exposed
— Chauncey Gardner Jr (@StillDat_) November 19, 2016
And defensive back Jalen “Teez” Tabor certainly had his fun after the game too.
.@_31Flavorz on LSU calling UF scared: "Scared? The Gators? We the big dog on the block." pic.twitter.com/NWXCxEXOwR
— Patrick Pinak (@pinakk12) November 19, 2016
Teez #Gators pic.twitter.com/CnqkvtWt4u
— Nick de la Torre (@NickdelaTorreGC) November 19, 2016
Florida now returns to the SEC Championship for the second season in a row and Alabama may be excellent, but that game will be played in a dome. No need to worry about if the Gators will show up or not.