s two. The confrontational style of Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff might not be to everyones tastes, but Dayne Zorko is confident its the best way to lead the underperforming Lions.It remains unclear whether Rockliff w

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- The Florida-Georgia rivalry begins a new era this weekend, with Kirby Smart making his head coaching debut in the neutral-site game.It will have a familiar feel for the men in charge.Smart and second-year Florida coach Jim McElwain became close friends while spending four years together at Alabama (2008-11). Between meals, meetings, practices, late nights, long hours and road trips, they forged a bond that extends well beyond the football field. Winning helped, too. With Smart and McElwain as coordinators, the Tide went 48-6 and claimed two national championships.Smart and McElwain will reunite in Jacksonville on Saturday as the Bulldogs (4-3, 2/3 Southeastern Conference) try to salvage their season against the 14th-ranked Gators (5-1, 3-1).This will be a great chess match, McElwain said.Smart and McElwain know each other well enough to predict every move. Of course, that wasnt always the case.When McElwain arrived in Alabama in January 2008 to help Nick Saban get the Crimson Tide back to national prominence, he had never heard of Smart. The former Georgia safety was coming off brief stops at Valdosta State, Florida State, LSU and in the NFL before following Saban to Tuscaloosa and being put in charge of the defense.I didnt know anything about him before I got there, McElwain recalled. And yet he was one of the first guys to welcome me in the door, which tells you what kind of guy he is. When you work together like that in an environment like that, you get to know each other pretty well. Our wives know each other.I mean, it becomes a family.With McElwain drawing up plays and Smart trying to stop them, they made practices intense and raised the bar in Tuscaloosa.All that success helped McElwain land his first head coaching job at Colorado State and eventually make the move to Florida. Smart remained with the Tide another four seasons -- picking up 50 additional wins and two more national titles -- before leaving for his alma mater.He had a bunch of opportunities along the way, obviously, McElwain said. I think he did a great job of being patient and taking the one that he had his eyes on.Smart downplayed how much the coaches common background will be a factor this weekend, saying itll be mostly meaningless after kickoff.I dont know that it does provide advantage, because for every advantage I might have, they have the same, Smart said. I think you can overthink these things.We know what we do, and the players got to go make the plays.The Bulldogs havent made enough plays lately. They have dropped three of their last four games , including an embarrassing home loss to Vanderbilt two weeks ago.Freshman quarterback Jacob Easons inexperience has been obvious at times. The running game, even with Nick Chubb healthy, has been inconsistent behind a mediocre offensive line. The defense has been decent, no surprise given Smarts background. But special teams have been downright awful.I want to play our best game in all facets of the game, being able to be balanced on offense and being able to control the line on scrimmage on defense and play well in the kicking game. Thats the part that weve got to be able to do all three, and some of them have hit on all cylinders at all different times. We need them to hit all the same time.Even though the Gators sit atop the Eastern Division, they have been far from perfect. Floridas vaunted defense was gouged in the second half against Tennessee, and the offense has been hit and miss because of quarterback Luke Del Rio s limitations and a lack of playmakers outside receiver Antonio Callaway.McElwain and Smart have spent the last two weeks dissecting every aspect of the matchup. When they see each other on the field before the game Saturday, theyll be able to relax -- for a few minutes.Well get together and laugh about some stories, and thats always fun, McElwain said. And yet it doesnt matter. When you kind of blow the whistle, its your guys against their guys and see who comes out (on top).---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org Jesse Gonzalez Jersey . The FA rejected Wilsheres appeal that the length of his punishment was "clearly excessive" and said Thursday his suspension begins with immediate effect. He will miss league matches against Chelsea on Monday and West Ham on Dec. Paul Arriola USA Jersey . Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek defeated Nenad Zimonjic and Ilija Bozoljac 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (4) on the indoor hard-court at Belgrade Arena. The victory improved the Czech pairs impressive cup doubles record to 14-1. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/antonee-robinson-usa-jersey/ . The Croatian served 21 aces and hit 42 winners against Sijsling, who double-faulted to give Cilic a 4-3 lead in the deciding set. "All the players, they know me and they were really happy to see me and they were really happy that this is over for me," Cilic said. Sacha Kljestan Jersey . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. Matt Miazga Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. The confrontational style of Brisbane captain Tom Rockliff might not be to everyones tastes, but Dayne Zorko is confident its the best way to lead the underperforming Lions.It remains unclear whether Rockliff will remain Lions captain or even stay at the AFL club in 2017.Rumours abound of players being unhappy with his leadership style with question marks over his commitment and fitness.But Zorko, who claimed a second successive Merrett-Murray medal as the Lions best player, says Rockliff is a fantastic leader.He certainly likes to hit players between the eyes, that era might have gone a little bit but I think its definitely the right thing for our football club at the moment, Zorko told Melbourne radio station SEN.We need to start performing and we werent.Its a little bit strange to hear how much has come out abouut it all because, for mine, hes the right person for us going forward.dddddddddddd.Zorko said he was disappointed by the decision to sack coach Justin Leppitsch, insisting the players needed to shoulder more blame for the clubs woes.The Lions won three matches this year and only avoided the wooden spoon on percentage to Essendon.The club are expected to ask the AFL for a priority pick at this years draft.But Zorko doesnt believe that step is vital to the success of the Lions, saying theres already plenty of young talent within the ranks at the club.If its developed and developed the right way, I dont think thatd be necessary, he said.If the AFL wants to give us one, yep (well take it). 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