Movie buffs always play a game called Seven Degrees of Kevin Bacon because well, he is a Hollywood actor probably tied to every actor and actress in the business.

Another reason is the idea that one action always affects something else.

Case and point, I’m sure the Eastern football coaching staff was really not all that interested in who was going to be the head coach of the University of Florida after Ron Zook was dismissed. However, the Panthers starting quarterback next season could be directly intersected. So when you diagram the situation, it all makes sense. So call this the seven degrees of Bob Spoo if you want but its amazing how things work out.

1. Ron Zook was dismissed during the 2004 football season at Florida but allowed to finish the season with the Gators. This allowed the Florida athletic department two months to search for a replacement.

2. Urban Meyer (otherwise known as the most wanted head coach in the country) led his Utah team eventually to a undefeated season and a BCS invitation to the Fiesta Bowl. Call this 2A, the Florida athletic director was the boss at Utah before heading to Gainesville so obviously a phone call was made.

3. Ron Zook leads the Gators to a 7-4 record and eventually to the Peach Bowl against Miami but the athletic department is against him coaching the game. Since he didn’t have to prepare a bowl team, this led to a opportunity for him to meet with other athletic directors. Enter Illinois.

4. The University of Illinois fires head coach Ron Turner and athletic director Ron Guenther states lack of recruiting as a concern. This happens to be Zook’s main drawing card making him a great fit. Guenther and Zook meet in Chicago over lunch to discuss the Illinois program and Zook’s interest. Zook describes the meeting as a “positive interview”.

Call number five decision time.

5. Urban Meyer is announced as the next head coach of Florida but will coach Utah in the bowl game. ESPN announced Monday evening that Zook will be named the next coach at Illinois Tuesday. So how does this affect Eastern? Enter Justin Midgett.

6. Two years ago there was a highly touted quarterback recruit named Justin Midgett who signed with Florida and Ron Zook.

7. Because of reasons one through six, Midgett may sign with Eastern.

Zook pinned his success on All-SEC first team signal caller Chris Leak during Midgett’s first two seasons leaving the Punta Gorda, Fla. native out to dry and understandably upset.

Midgett was rated the number eight pro-style quarterback in the country by Rivals.com and could compete for the starting job at Eastern next season.

Now, Florida has granted the release of Midgett but the question remains, why would this kid care to set foot in on this campus. Apparently, Mr. Midgett has some beef with his former coach Ron Zook.

Midgett is of the belief that he is a better player than Leak and has stated so repeatedly. The red-shirt freshman will be here on a campus visit this weekend for two reasons.

One is that his high school teammate is Eastern star receiver Ryan Voss and now, number two is that Midgett is really interested in beating whatever team Ron Zook coaches in the future.

Since defensive coordinator and designated Florida recruiter Roc Bellantoni has visited with him and informed him the Panthers have a scheduled game with the Illini in 2006, being involved in a upset intrigues the potential transfer.

So, let’s assume Midgett signs with Eastern.

The Panthers coaching staff should thank Florida’s administration, Illinois athletic director Ron Guenther, in a way Urban Meyer for being out there and Ron Zook for moving to Champaign.

Because in the links of the chain, if Zook isn’t fired, Midgett might still transfer but the chances of him coming here drastically decrease.

Amazing how things work out.