GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Another week of the college football season is here, and so, too, is another media circus involving the University of Florida.
The apparent attempt by Florida middle linebacker Brandon Spikes to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey last Saturday received national headlines Monday and Tuesday.
The story found new life Wednesday when Florida coach Urban Meyer announced that Spikes would be suspended when the top-ranked Gators (8-0, 6-0 Southeastern Conference) face Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5) on Saturday.
On Monday, Meyer said Spikes would only be suspended for the first half of Saturday's game. News of the half-game suspension was met with criticism by many who believed the punishment was too light.
The distraction caused by Spikes' incident apparently forced Meyer to reevaluate the suspension.
POSSIBLE DISTRACTION
"A lot of the negative things out there are really weighing heavy on his heart right now, so as a group we decided that it would be in the best interest of team to not play Spikes Saturday," Meyer said Wednesday without taking questions from reporters.
"It's a group decision and we're doing it out of respect for our team so we can focus on trying to win our ninth game."
Meyer indicated that Spikes, a team captain, suggested that he should be suspended for the entire game, not just the first half.
"I really don't want to be a distraction to the team," Spikes said. "I want the guys to prepare without any negative things going on, and I feel like if I would play it would be a big thing. I'm just trying to stay out of the way and just motivate the guys."
The reaction to Spikes' unsportsmanlike behavior and UF's response are just the latest in a long list of side stories for the Gators dating back to before the season.
"I think Lou Holtz says it best," said Meyer, a former Holtz assistant at Notre Dame. "Our job is real simple. Somehow you have to be the best team in the stadium on that day and then move on and get ready for the next one."
Will things quiet down in Gainesville before Saturday's game against Vanderbilt?
Not likely, if Meyer can help it. He seems to feed off of the media and uses the weekly media coverage of the Gators to steel his team's resolve.
On Wednesday morning, Meyer publicly criticized SEC officials for what he believed was a missed call during the Georgia game.
The coach was upset by a blindside hit Georgia linebacker Nick Williams delivered to Florida quarterback Tim Tebow a few moments after Tebow had handed off the ball to a running back. Meyer said video evidence of the hit was sent to he Southeastern Conference for review.
MISSED CALL
"That should have been a penalty, in my opinion," Meyer said. "Obviously, it should have been. You've got to protect quarterbacks. That's the whole purpose. It's right in front of the referee.
"I'm not sure how they're going to handle that, but ... that was one of the plays we did send in."
Subplots and distractions have been commonplace for the Gators this season. They began when Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin and his Volunteers visited Gainesville on Sept. 19.
The running feud between Kiffin and Meyer was well documented. After the game, Meyer commented that the media circus that accompanied the Volunteers was like nothing he had ever seen.
But the circus seems to get larger as the season progresses. First there was a possible swine flu outbreak. Then Tebow sustained a concussion, which dominated news during the Gators' bye week.
Pressure grew inside Florida's locker room after back-to-back lackluster victories over conference rivals Arkansas and Mississippi State. Meyer used the criticism of his team's performances as ammunition for a fiery speech on the eve of Florida's win over Georgia.
"This Friday night with our football team was the best job Meyer has done talking to our football team since I've been here," said second-year defensive line coach Dan McCarney, a former head coach at Iowa State.
"I had hair standing up on the back of my neck. There were goose bumps up and down my arms. I've been around this for a long time. I've heard a lot of coaches talk and I've heard myself talk a lot, too much. I thought he did an unbelievable job. I was ready to go play."
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