SEC Daily Fever: Verbal Jabs Between Meyer and Kiffin Escalate

Posted: Sep 22, 2009

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New Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin may have gotten the first word in between him and Urban Meyer when he boldly (or stupidly depending on your point of view) announced at his hiring that he would beat Florida this year. Now, after winning the game, Meyer appears to want to get the last word.

With Tennessee in rebuilding mode and the Gators as the consensus #1 team in the land, a ‘big payback blowout’ was expected by Gator Nation. After Saturday’s game ended with only a 23-13 win over Tennessee leaving many Florida fans upset, Meyer felt the need to explain.

Meyer first blamed the flu for the Gators not blowing out the Vols. Then, after complementing Tennessee's defensive plan, he slyly said that the Vols “weren’t trying to win” by having a conservative running attack.

Kiffin, of course, fired back:

“I’d say this. This offseason the (SEC) commissioner (Mike Slive) made a big deal about our renewal of vows about what we’re supposed to say about other teams, other coaches, other players.

“Obviously, Urban feels he doesn’t need to follow that. I won’t say anything else.’’

He also added: “I guess we’ll wait and see, and after we’re not excited about our performance, we’ll tell you that everybody was sick.’’

The conclusion for now is that Kiffin enjoys being the hunter as well as clearly identifying Florida and Meyer as the hunted when it comes to Tennessee's SEC aspirations.

Consider this rivalry officially renewed.

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