Enjoy this one while it lasts.
While the last few times I've said that, I believed it to be self-given romantic advice, this time, the clichéd phrase goes for you, Gators fans.
UF is on its way to spoiling you even a little bit more.
Believe it or not, stretches like the previous six games really don't happen all the time. Honest.
And yes, you may very well watch UF's third football national championship this season, just two years after its second.
But don't forget, it took 90 years for that first one. (Not that I expect the Gators to go on that long of a drought again, just saying.)
Sometimes you don't realize what you have. I mean, look at Michigan right now.
Say what you want about the Big Ten Conference, but one of the most storied programs in college football history has eight losses.
Eight.
You probably sit there and snicker, but there was a time when UF was in such a state. How about 0-10-1 in 1979? And 4-7 the year before?
At this point in time, it's nearly unfathomable to think about a time when the Gators would be in such disarray. But UF's most recent era of mediocrity (aka Ron Zook) was only four years ago.
Because talent just doesn't mean everything. Sure, you're not going to compete for a national title without it, but teams have to get a few breaks to get there.
The Gators have been firing on all cylinders lately, but their best attribute has been taking advantage of opportunities. When opponents make an error, UF pounces and knocks 'em to the ground - and doesn't let them get up (well, except for that whole Mississippi madness).
Ah, yes, that game against the Rebels. The 12:30 game that spoiled your weekend, I'm sure you remember it?
You should go give Houston Nutt a kiss. I'm serious.
Because that man and his team gave the Gators a bigger kick in the rear than any Urban Meyer practice.
For one thing, it made Tim Tebow rally the troops, which, frankly, is something I just wouldn't bet against.
It made UF a team and gave it a chip on its shoulder. The results have been pretty scary since.
Yes, this is an elite football program. Yes, it will reload and replace (to a degree) stars like Percy Harvin and Brandon Spikes.
But it takes a perfect storm of events to stew up what's brewing in Gainesville right now. It's something special, people. It's a coaching staff at its prime, filled with assistant coaches who might not be here next year. It's filled with backups who are good enough to be starters. It's filled with talent.
And it's filled with intangibles.
The fire, so far gone on last year's team, is back.
So, a few years from now, when you're with the next girl down the road and pining for this old 2008 flame, just let me say this - I told you so.
