Rivalry week brings quite a bit of drama in the college football world, with the lion's share of focus on what actually takes place within the white lines on the gridiron. However, the 2017 edition (like many before it) also includes quite a bit of attention paid to coaching vacancies and searches, with other big-picture story lines coming to the surface before kick-off even arrives in various stadiums across the country.
On the eve of big games for both Florida and Michigan, though, it was the recruiting world that was abuzz, as four-star Gators commit Taylor Upshaw announced on Friday that he was flipping to join Jim Harbaugh's next class in Ann Arbor.
Upshaw made sure to thank Florida for their pursuit but his decision to change commitments is certainly an interesting one. The 6'5, 240-pound defensive end from Braden River (Fla.) had been committed to Jim McElwain's class since June but, in light of uncertainty in Gainesville and a Michigan offer arriving in late October, the perfect storm came together for an alteration.
It would be a bit aggressive to suggest that this was a game-changer but it is another quality addition for Michigan and a real loss for a Florida class that could have some challenges in the midst of a coaching transition.
