For the first time in nearly two UF football seasons, I actually cared. Before this year, losing had become an expectation. Offense was a cringe-inducing penance. Hope was hoping we would not choke. Anxiety at the outcome was absent. We sucked and played thuggishly. I just attended games to say I was there.

This season, optimism ensued. Not that we would win a championship; but that we would compete better. Wins over NMSU and ECU were encouraging. I was in Lexington before the game and on the sidelines during it. All ESPN pundits picked us to lose. The Wildcats and their nation could taste a win. But we were better than them. We were.

Come the Vols to the Swamp. Their losing streak to UF is only a third of Kentucky's. It is still a lot, but not enough to preclude unanimous predictions the Gators would lose. Given that premise with last year's staff, I would have no hope. A wish, but not hope. 

Today was different. We have some talent and coaches that appear to play to win. Down by 13 points in the fourth quarter, I was confident Coach Mac had instilled some of the guts of his old Alabama teams. He had. 

This was the most improbable UF victory I have witnessed among hundreds of games.

The hope is back. The fun has returned.