"That wasn't right. It was a bad deal. It will forever be in the mind of Urban Meyer and in the mind of our football team. We'll handle it and it is going to be a big deal."

— Florida football coach Urban Meyer in his book "Urban's Way" about a slight by Georgia last season.

Never mind elephants, apparently Gators don't forget, either.

At least Urban Meyer and the University of Florida Gators, that is.

A prime topic at the Southeastern Conference football media sessions in Hoover, Ala., this week has been Meyer's vow of retribution for Georgia's perceived act of disrespect in rushing the whole team into the end zone to celebrate a touchdown last season.

Now, on the surface, that wouldn't ordinarily mean a whole lot here except it sheds some light on the thought process and could be an indication of what, albeit on a smaller scale, awaits the Warriors Aug. 30 in Gainesville.

You will recall that last December then-UH coach June Jones labeled UF's Tim Tebow a "system quarterback" and said he wasn't sure the Florida star could run UH's system. "System" quarterback being derisive on the order of saying a QB's mother wears Army boots.

When ESPN's Reece Davis sought clarification, Jones said his own quarterback, Colt Brennan, could "run any system" but expressed doubt about Tebow being able to make all the necessary throws or being a "natural" passer.

No matter that they were words intended to boost, in the final days of voting, Brennan's stock enough to get him to New York where Tebow was already the odds-on favorite to win the Heisman. Message boards and call-in shows sizzled at the slap across the face of Gator nation, where they have a coach named after a pope and a quarterback upon whom sainthood has already been conferred.

Coaches, even ones who are 28-point favorites, love bulletin board material. Especially for openers against non-ranked opponents. The better to keep their teams focused. While the meeting with Georgia isn't until Nov. 1, the Gators are getting their minds focused on UH.

Eight months will have passed when the Warriors step into The Swamp. Never mind that Jones is no longer at UH. Brennan either. Tebow and Meyer are still at Florida and the words apparently still fresh.

"We're not doing a very good job if we're not concentrating on Hawai'i ..." said Meyer, who concluded one statement this week with a rousing, "... Go team. Go beat Hawai'i."

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.