T-U 2

Published Oct. 19, 2010 10:07 p.m. ET

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SPORTS TALK

Our sports writers hit the airwaves on WFXJ (930 AM, The Fox) every Tuesday and Friday from 3 to 4 p.m.

University of Florida beat writer Michael DiRocco, high schools sports editor Hays Carlyon and golf writer Garry Smits will discuss the Jaguars, college football and other sports topics on today's show.

TOP SPOTS FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL

The Sporting News recently ranked the best stadiums to watch a college football game, and two leagues dominated the rankings.

A total of 11 Southeastern Conference and Big Ten stadiums are included among the top 18, including seven of the first eight. Alabama (first), LSU (fourth), Florida (sixth) and Tennessee (eighth) from the SEC are joined by the Big Ten's Penn State (third), Ohio State (fifth) and Michigan (seventh).

The Gator Bowl will match SEC and Big Ten teams this season.

Others from the two conferences are Georgia (11th), Auburn (14th), Wisconsin (16th) and Iowa (18th). Clemson (15th) and Florida State (17th) are the Atlantic Coast Conference's only schools among the top 18.

2 CENTS

The Sporting News listing of the top 50 sports cities in the country came out this week and is bound to create controversy, as it does every year when the rankings are released.

And once again, as it has bothered me in previous years, I'm mystified at some of the cities that are listed ahead of Jacksonville, which this year comes in at No. 49, one spot in front of Gainesville.

The city that bothers me the most is Orlando, which is pegged at No. 24. Whaaaaat?

Puh-leez. Orlando has the Magic and the ah, er, ay, well that wraps up what the city has. An NBA team that the city supports when the team is in contention but otherwise thumbs its nose at.

Professional football in Orlando? In that ancient stadium? Hardly. The city has an Arena Football League team, which Jacksonville matches. Anything even remotely close to an NFL franchise? Does a United Football League team count?

Baseball? The city had a Double-A franchise but it left town when nobody would come to the games. Jacksonville's Double-A team has been one of the most successful franchises in all the minor leagues for the past decade.

Golf? Orlando has the Bay Hill Classic which is nice, but it is looked upon as minor league when going up against The Players Championship, which is in Jacksonville's backyard.

Jacksonville has the edge in baseball and golf, and through this past year, would also have the edge in tennis with a professional women's tournament, compared to none for Orlando.

So somebody explain to me why it is Orlando ranks 25 spots higher than Jacksonville.

The Disney myth strikes again. Guess that's why The Sporting News continues to lag behind its major competition, Sports Illustrated.

Compiled by JEFF ELLIOTT/The Times-Union