Jesse Palmer has a thing or two going for him.

He’s tall, young and dark-haired. He’s a television talent who is a bachelor and a lead in the reality show named “The Bachelor.”

He’s a college football analyst for ESPN in Bristol, Conn., and works pre-game and post-game shows on ESPN and ESPN Radio.

He’s a former Florida Gator quarterback (1998-2000, 27 games, fourth all-time in passing efficiency) where he played for and learned from Coach Steve Spurrier) and his marvelous recall ability allows him to recount virtually every play he wants to, or must).

He’s a Canadian who learned his football up there, “outside my igloo, on the tundra”, had a film shot of his talents, and sent it to the Gators, who suggested a visit. He went to an LSU game, loved it, and when Florida offered him a shot, he rushed to accept, sharing work with Doug Johnson.

He played with the New York Giants for a time, then found openings in television acting and commentating. He is good at what he does, as he was detailed and self-critical humorously in introducing himself at the annual Outback Deloitte Kickoff Luncheon. Nearly 1,000 were on hand at the A La Carte Pavilion for the function which bowl executive Jim McVay and the Outback people produced, with Palmer as the star and Channel 13’s Chip Carter as the emcee.

Palmer has an admirable - even enviable - memory. He is funny enough, qualified enough and experienced enough in his sport and his craft to invoke trust. He said just about what the audience wanted him to say. None there could leave dismayed.

He talked college football throughout, for that is his main game.

Sure, Florida had the shots to beat Mississippi, but misfired or fired blanks at close range. Sure Florida quarterback Tim Tebow was off, but, wasn’t the rest of the Gators, even the sidelines, in the last minutes? They may have thought Johnny Reb wouldn’t be that tough. But, Palmer said, that is the way this season is going to be: upsets, upsets, upsets, as with Southern California and Georgia going down. But, they’ll be back, and others will fall.

“Vanderbilt is tired of Georgia and Florida players going on the field assured they are better,” said Palmer. “They are saying you are not and they aim to prove it. Vanderbilt is 4-0,” as is Kentucky, someone popped up, “and I think they are for real. Only in some of the conferences out west,” are there a lot of undefeated teams and that is because they have not started conference play.”

Palmer said Alabama may be the toughest team he’s seen, offense and defense, and Auburn may be the fastest. He declared the SEC East the best small unit of teams. But, he has no idea how good, or bad, Tennessee is.

Palmer dwelled on the University of South Florida, saying they are fun to watch, noting quarterback Mark Goethe is underrated, along with the team. The Bulls are undefeated. They have Pittsburgh tomorrow at Raymond James. Win it and the Bulls may be on their way to the best yet.

Palmer made it clear he’s living a life little expected when he was in Iglootown. And he was totally accepted by this city in which he will work events this busy, busy sports time in Tampa Bay.

The women in the audience cheered his acknowledgement of his role in “The Bachelor”, and the men when he mentioned working with 20-something women. Both cheered when he talked college football, obviously a favorite of that audience.

In the end, the former Gator quarterback passed four autographed footballs to the audience. One was intercepted by a hanging banner. Tampa, home of the Bucs, knows about interceptions.