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Rivals respected Spurrier, despite his constant digs

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AP Photo/Dave Martin
  • Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior Writer Close
    • Senior college football writer
    • Author of seven books on college football
    • Graduate of the University of Georgia
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COLUMBIA, S.C. -- After Florida State beat Florida 24-21 and replaced the Gators as the No. 1 team in the country in the final regular-season game in 1996, then-Gators coach Steve Spurrier opened fire on the Seminoles and coach Bobby Bowden.