Record: 9-3, 7-2 SEC
Coach: Steve Spurrier, 10th year, (102-21-1; 122-34-2 overall)
Top Off. Player: WR Darrell Jackson (64 catches, 1,151 yards, 9 TDs)
Top Def. Player: DE Alex Brown (13 sacks)
Season Summary:
After knocking off Tennessee and routing opponents in typical fashion early, things became unglued for the Gators starting with a 40-39 loss to Alabama on Oct. 2. The last half of the season, the offense struggled under both QBs, Jesse Palmer and Doug Johnson, culminating in a 34-7 loss to the Tide in the SEC championship.
| TEAM HEADLINES | | Aug 18 |
Florida defensive end pleads innocent to felony battery charge |
| Aug 17 |
Florida's Leak looks sharp in second scrimmage |
| Aug 7 |
Leak impresses during first Gators practice |
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Record: 9-2, 6-2 Big Ten
Coach: Bobby Williams, first game
Top Off. Player: WR Plaxico Burress (932 yards, 17.9 per catch)
Top Def. Player: CB Amp Campbell (two INTs, 24 pass deflections)
Season Summary:
The Spartans will be playing without the man who led them to their best season since 1990, Nick Saban, who took the LSU coaching job. Despite some flashy skill players like Burress and two-way threat T.J. Duckett, MSU's strength is its defense, tops in the Big Ten in total and rushing defense. Julian Peterson and Robaire Smith are scary up front.
| TEAM HEADLINES | | Aug 18 | Smoker fires four TDs in MSU scrimmage | | Aug 18 | Spartans name Smoker No. 1 quarterback |
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MSU's Lloyd Clemons rushed for 854 yards in '99 but never crossed the goal line.
