The last time Kentucky beat Florida in football, gas was 93 cents a gallon, “The Cosby Show” was America’s most popular television program and Tim Tebow hadn’t even been born yet.
Yes, it’s been a long time - 22 years to be exact.

On a cold Kentucky day in November, a week after coming from behind to beat Georgia 31-19 in the old Gator Bowl, the Gators fell to the Wildcats 10-3 in Lexington. The date was Nov. 15, 1986. Since then, Florida has run the table on Kentucky, winning a rather incredible 21 consecutive games in the series.

“Yes, it’s hard to fathom that,” Florida coach Urban Meyer said. “That’s why I don’t fathom it.”

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Two teams. Two starts. Example No. 2,437 of how college football rankings are screwed up:

Southern California was ranked No. 1 early because it was the “hot” pick. It pummeled Ohio State before losing to unranked Oregon State on Sept. 20. It then dropped to ninth in the Associated Press poll, but beat up a few patsies and recovered so that when the first BCS poll comes out last week it was No. 5. With its toothless schedule it’s in a prime spot for the national championship game.

Florida was ranked No. 4 early because it wasn’t the “hot” pick. It lost to unranked Mississippi on the same Sept. 20. It fell to No. 12. It then beat up previously No. 4 Louisiana State but only recovered to No. 10 in the country when the first BCS poll is released.

Huh?

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Facing a tough fight to keep all their hopes and goals alive, the Florida Gators were looking to make a statement Saturday against LSU, the defending national champions and the nation’s fourth-ranked team.
They made their statement, and it is this: they are still very much involved in the SEC and national championship races after a stunning 51-21 victory before 90,684 in The Swamp.

The victory elevates Florida to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC. It also certainly vaults the Gators back into the top 10 - and back onto the national title radar. LSU falls to 4-1 and 2-1.

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Mike Bianchi:  Gators leave little doubt vs. LSU

Pat Dooley:  Game-winning drive could define season

Greg Stoda:  Gators make football look fun again

Eleventh-ranked Florida is getting healthy at the right time.

Besides USC transfer running back Emmanuel Moody being out with an ankle injury, the Gators (4-1, 2-1 SEC) head into Saturday’s game against No. 4 LSU (4-0, 2-0 SEC) close to full strength.

Coach Urban Meyer said Thursday that junior receiver Percy Harvin, who walked off the practice field with his ankle taped, “looked good” at practice and will be ready come game time. Meyer said Harvin will have a light workout today as well.

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When did it happen, Gator fans?

When did it reach a point where you became so persnickety and such perfectionists that you sucked the joy out of winning football games like a boa constrictor squeezes the life out of small rodents?

The reason I bring this up is because of all the conversation and consternation about Florida’s offense and quarterback Tim Tebow in the aftermath of Saturday’s embarrassing, humiliating 31-point, um, victory over Arkansas.

That’s right, Florida went on the road, ran up more than 500 yards of offense and destroyed Arkansas 38-7 in a tune-up for Saturday’s monumental Southeastern Conference showdown with No. 4 LSU. And you know what everybody’s talking about?

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Despite rumors that QB Tim Tebow is playing injured after some struggles through the first five games, his father said his son is not hurt.

“Nothing other than the normal bumps and bruises,” Bob Tebow said. “It’s a rough game.”

When asked whether this year’s bumps and bruises are worse than last year, when Tebow played with a broken nonthrowing hand and an injured shoulder, Tebow said, “He’s fine.”

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - It’s hard to fathom a game turning more quickly, more abruptly than this one. From downright ugly to picture-perfect pretty.

Somehow, that’s the way it played out for the Gators on Saturday before 70.072 at Razorback Stadium.

After falling all over themselves for most of three quarters, the Gators and quarterback Tim Tebow crafted a flawless fourth quarter to pull away for a 38-7 victory over Arkansas in a game that was very tight, too tight, heading into the final 15 minutes.

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Pat Dooley:  Tebow, fans should try to enjoy it

Jeremy Fowler: If Gators play like this next week, they’ll lose to LSU

GAINESVILLE - This, the rallying cry, is the time when Urban Meyer makes his money.

The aftermath of a devastating loss welcomes Creative Motivation 101, of which Meyer supposedly has a doctorate.

The Gators coach somehow reached into the chests of his 2006 Gators, a touch that produced seven straight wins and a national title after an Oct. 14 loss to Auburn.

But the 31-30 loss to Ole Miss on Saturday creates a steeper climb for this year’s Gators (3-1, 1-1 SEC), who might have to run off 10 straight for a national title. The road to redemption begins Saturday at 2-2 Arkansas.

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