Lamm at Large

On the way to the outhouse, the Seminoles and Gators were quietly invited into the main house. Not the lavish master bathroom, but not the mini-hall bathroom either. Both of the state's biggest football programs have turned miserable seasons into seasons that show promise for the future. Few teams have been more impressive than FSU in recent weeks. They halted an ugly 4-game losing streak by winning 3 straight, two […]

I don't care how good something is, too much of anything -- and I mean anything -- can turn sour. Take football, for example. If you're reading this, you most likely love football. High school, college, pro -- makes no difference. You want more, and then some more. Well, it's this time of year when the TV networks try to satisfy our thirst. Starting back on Oct. 27 and running […]

Almost everyone I've run into this week had a little extra skip in their walk, a brighter sparkle in their eyes and a wider smile than usual. That's because football fans -- that's nearly everyone on the First Coast, right? -- had a weekend to remember. All three of the state's NFL teams won; FSU, Florida and UCF won. Across our northern border, both Georgia and Georgia Tech won. It […]

I've tried and I've tried to find another angle to why the Jaguars can't win a game. In 5 straight losses, the script has almost been identical: Team plays reasonably well and takes the lead before or early in the 4th quarter. Then everything goes to hell in a handbasket. The defense gives up big plays. QB Trevor Lawrence starts playing more like Mr. Irrelevant than the No. 1 overall draft […]

As usual, there's talk of moving the Georgia-Florida game out of Jacksonville. Most of the chatter is coming out of Athens. It's really no different than it's been in years, but that doesn't mean it's not serious. Georgia considers it a road game played on Florida soil, a mere 90 miles from Gainesville. The scheduling is now more complicated with Texas and Oklahoma joining the SEC in a year or […]

You know all of the cliches. You've heard them a thousand times. In such a heated rivalry you can throw out the record book; ignore the statistics. This is a game where stars are born. Of course I'm talking about Saturday's Georgia-Florida game. The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is not longer acceptable by the schools. Georgia fans are calling it the largest Appetizer Party, their anticipation of the Bulldogs […]

When Hendon Hooker transferred to Tennessee last season, few Volunteers' fans were singing "Rocky Top". Although he had a spectacular season -- 31 TDs and only 3 INTs -- those outside of Tennessee didn't include him when the topic turned to a slew of outstanding SEC quarterbacks  -- Alabama's Bryce Young. Georgia's Stetson Bennett, Mississippi State's Will Rodgers, Kentucky's Will Levis and Ole Miss's Matt Corral. But no one can […]

I hope you didn't bet on NFL games last week. Don't misunderstand. I love to make a wager or three myself. But last Sunday you got a butt-kicking from the bookies and sports books. A third of the 12 games were surprises. Maybe more. Jets 27, Packers 10. Giants 24, Ravens 20. Steelers 20, Bucs 18. Falcons 28, 49ers 14. You could throw in the Jaguars, who were favored to […]

As we reach the midpoint of the college football season, it's time to reflect on life as a head coach. The pay is great but secure stinks.   Schools are firing coaches earlier to get a jump on signing the next guy and not losing a recruiting class.   Already seven Power 5 coaches have been canned. The list will grow. Is  Bryan Harsin still hanging on at Auburn?   […]