The hype surrounding Florida vs. Auburn began over 50 years ago

While the X’s and O’s of Saturday’s matchup between the Florida Gators and the Auburn Tigers give fans a lot to look forward to, the excitement of this SEC East vs. West matchup didn’t stem from Saturday’s announcement of the throwback uniforms. Fans’ interest didn’t peak when Kirk Herbstreit told us that him and College GameDay would be touching down in Gainesville for the first time since 2011.

The anticipation for Saturday’s game started building over half a century ago. 

It’s eerily fitting that Florida will don throwback uniforms replicating those worn in 1966.

A time where football games were shown in black and white was one of the best times for those dressed in orange and blue. 

After finishing 7-4 in 1965, while the Gators returned some guy named Steve Spurrier under center. However, the team graduated their two leading receivers. 

“This team has to be a question mark,” Gators head coach Ray Graves said of the 1966 team. “I don’t know what type of football team we have.”

As the season progressed, the Gators jumped out to 6-0 start to the season. The Gators were no longer a question mark – the Gators were the mark. 

However, the 1966 season did bring one question – would Steve Spurrier win the Heisman?

Spurrier led the Gators to an impressive start that included downing three top-10 opponents, but over at Purdue, quarterback Bob Griese was also turning heads. 

Enter the Auburn Tigers. 

It’s October 29, 1966 and a 3-3 Tigers’ team came to visit Gainesville...

On homecoming. In front of a record-breaking crowd at Florida Field. 

Beginning to sound familiar?

Wearing white helmets with a block ‘F’, blue jerseys with white and orange accents at the shoulders and white pants, the Gators kept a close game with the Tigers as the teams traded the lead all day. 

Tied 27-27 in the fourth, Spurrier led the Gators down to the Tiger 39 yard-line. The kick was just outside the usual placekicker’s range so Spurrier famously waved off the kicker and decided he was going to kick the field goal himself. 

He kicked 40+ yarders in practice all the time. Why was this game-winner any different?

He nailed it. 

As the ball cleared the cross bar, Spurrier’s Heisman campaign now had a bow on it. The race was over. 

Now, snap back to reality. 

I’m not saying you should expect Kyle Trask to line up for a kick at any point in Saturday’s game. Although, Trask is the first starting quarterback to wear no. 11 since Spurrier’s final game in 1966. 

The coincidences are eerie – that’s all I’m getting at here. 

The nostalgia of Saturday’s game is enough to get hypnotized by, and sure, we can look in the rearview mirror, but it’s best not to stare. 

While honoring the past is special, Saturday’s game against Auburn will likely be one of the best indications of what the future of this Florida Gator football team looks like.