For tomorrow's matchup between UF and Troy, the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column has reached into its collective bedside table for some perspective on Troy's mascot, the Trojans.
We called up Jim Daniels, the Vice President of Marketing for Trojan, the makers of "America's #1 Condom."
The company began in the 1920s, and while the origin of the name is uncertain, some stories point to the protective nature of the city of Troy and its soldiers.
Not to be premature, but we're a bunch of straight-shooters - Saturday?s game shouldn?t be close, and Troy could probably learn a thing or two from its prophylactic brethren.
Sorry, if that was a low blow (on that note, Trojan makes flavored condoms, too).
So what are the benefits of Trojan condoms?
"The obvious benefits are to protect against unexpected pregnancies and the spread of STDs," Daniels said. "With correct use and compliance, they are 98 to 99 percent effective."
With those numbers, who wouldn?t want condoms on the field on game day?
The Gators registered four sacks against Western Kentucky, and Troy will need some reliable protection to prevent the same from happening to them.
Since the football Trojans have already allowed a sack this season, the pieces of latex seem to offer more protection than the Troy offensive line.
"I don?t think Troy is 98 or 99 percent effective, so yes, we would be more protective," Daniels said.
Until recently, the company was represented by the "Trojan Man," who would come to the rescue of young couples by offering condoms.
Trojan Man was pretty jacked, so it made us wonder what kind of football player he would make.
"He would probably be a coach," Daniels said.
"One of the things consumers have told us about the brand is that it is like a trusted mentor. He's approachable, tells it like it is and he's always there to help you out. Obviously the coach doesn't get into the game, but he can help the players have success."
According to a study done by Trojan last year, the Gators would benefit from a visit by the Trojan man; UF ranked 49th out of 100 schools in Trojan's Sexual Health Report Card survey and earned an BFC in condom availability.
With a horde of Trojans due in town Saturday, that grade should improve some in the 2007 rankings.
Over the years, Trojan has made an effort to increase pleasure for its users with things like vibrating rings and corkscrew designs, so what would bring more enjoyment to Gators fans: a win or one of the company's products?
"That's a good question," Daniels said.
"Let's just hope that the students on the Florida campus have a great time, and if they choose to celebrate by being sexually active, they make sure they have a Trojan condom for protection."
With that said, Daniels isn?t ready to award UF a win just yet; he picked the Gators to win but expects a tough fight.
"Troy is going to put up some very good defense, given their namesake, and they will be respected," he said.
With that, on to the picks!
Leading off with an 8-2 record is Bryan "Let me make sure this is okay with my girlfriend" Jones, who has survived for two weeks straight off of crumbs he found in his unkempt mustache.
In the two-spot, also at 8-2, is Brian "Sneakers only get better with age" Steele, who will miss the entire opening weekend of the NFL season when he realizes MTV is running a marathon of America's Next Top Model.
Hitting third with a 6-4 mark is Jenna BOooh, pick the team with the cutest mascot to win the Super BowlC Marina, whose hair in her column picture looks eerily like Joakim Noah?s without a hair tie. Now if only we could get her to stop wearing those billowy African gowns around the office - she's scaring away the new staff.
Batting cleanup at 6-4 is Mike "I like to pick up the occasional running back on the side of the road," McCall, whose top three searches on Google are "David Garrard topless," "ecu pep band song lyrics" and "David Garrard shirtless." He'll love every minute of those muscles if he has enough hand lotion to last him through the night.
Bringing up the rear, also at 6-4, is Nick "I'll cover your high school soccer game for free" Zaccardi, who has had a rough couple of days, as his beloved Illinois football team lost last week and Lon Kruger has yet to respond to his message on eHarmony.
