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Florida Gators give Brandon Spikes a full suspension

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 UF 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.

Florida Gators middle linebacker Brandon Spikes suspended

University of Florida football coach Urban Meyer announced a half-game suspension for Gators linebacker Brandon Spikes for the All-American's apparent attempt to gouge the eyes of Georgia running back Washaun Ealey during UF's 41-17 victory against the Bulldogs on Saturday.

``I don't condone that,'' Meyer said Monday morning during his weekly news conference. ``I understand what goes on in football, but there is no place for that. We're going to suspend Brandon for the first half of the Vanderbilt game.''

Top-ranked Florida (8-0, 6-0 SEC) hosts Vanderbilt (2-7, 0-5 SEC) at 7:15 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and Spikes will watch the first half from the sidelines as punishment for his unsportsmanlike behavior against Georgia. The CBS broadcast of the Florida-Georgia game showed Spikes reaching into Ealey's face mask during a tackle in an apparent attempt to poke Ealey in the eyes. Spikes finished the game with 10 tackles and returned a fourth-quarter interception by UGA back-up quarterback

Florida Gators' Urban Meyer a man of few words

Urban Meyer skipped out on his weekly teleconference with reporters on Sunday. Maybe Florida's coach was busy. Maybe he was just sick and tired of defending his undefeated team. Maybe there is just nothing left to say.

The No. 1-ranked Gators (9-0, 7-0 SEC) defeated Vanderbilt 27-3 on Saturday.

On Sunday, UF was ranked atop the Bowl Championship Series standings for the fourth week in a row. Win out and Florida likely will play for the national championship on Jan. 7.

Lethargic Florida Gators swamp Vanderbilt

Brandon Spikes showed up to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on Saturday without his signature beard. Perhaps it was a sign the Florida middle linebacker somehow has changed after his highly publicized attempt to gouge the eyes of a Georgia running back.

Although Spikes was visibly different, the Gators defense didn't change much despite not having its star All-American in the game. With Spikes serving a one-game suspension for his unsportsmanlike behavior, the defense turned in one of its best performances of the season and No. 1 Florida defeated Vanderbilt 27-3. The win moved UF closer to the Southeastern Conference title game Dec. 5 at the Georgia Dome -- a trip it clinched last week.

An announced attendance of 90,694 learned just before kickoff Saturday who the Gators will play in the SEC championship game. Again, UF will meet SEC Western Division champion Alabama with a BCS bowl berth, and possibly a trip to the national championship game, at stake. Alabama defeated Louisiana State 24-15 in Tuscaloosa

Florida Gators look like No. 1 against Georgia

Florida left no doubt. Georgia just left early.

The Gators defeated the rival Bulldogs 41-17 on Saturday at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, providing their fans and critics with proof that maybe the top-ranked team in the country isn't fading away, but in fact is improving as the season progresses.

UF quarterback Tim Tebow accounted for four touchdowns in his final Florida-Georgia game, and the Gators' defense intercepted Georgia quarterbacks four times. Finally, it was a complete performance by the team ranked No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series.