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Time To Take It On the Road

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Well, I considered whether it was too early to turn the page, start looking at the next one: We deserve to enjoy where we're at, what's changed, what's been accomplished so far. We don't get to do that very often.
But you KNOW the COACHES have our TEAM refocusing now, so let's go with it. This is how "one game at a time" works.
So: Can we beat this Tiger team? Are we capable, healthy and talented enough? Bet your ass. No, the key in this one, for SURE, is in our players', our TEAM'S collective head. And the good news is that it's there that Mac & Co. have made the most progress--even taking into account the obvious practical changes in overall offensive approach and ATTITUDE (which are really a part of the larger context change in team culture and attitude I'm crediting here, let's face it).
Will it hold? Will we take the next step, realize we haven't really "accomplished" anything very significant yet besides gotten better, won a coupla games--and that its main value is in giving us an OPPORTUNITY to build towards something special? Thing is, as fans, I feel we really can relax a bit as compared to past years. Either way, win or lose, this team is about to learn a great deal--about itself, and what it takes to win CHAMPIONSHIPS.
That's gonna mean everything in the future. How we use it, this year and beyond, well, be GREAT to see us keep exceeding expectations now--but it'll be valuable no matter what.
This is fun.
 

Leakfan12

VIP Member
They can beat Mizzo, they don't look that good but it can be a trip game. Does hope they don't look ahead of this game and play well.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
They can beat Mizzo, they don't look that good but it can be a trip game. Does hope they don't look ahead of this game and play well.
Like I said, main thing here is how we handle success, take the next step. We CAN beat this Mizzou team at their place, might even be favored. If we don't, it'll likely be BECAUSE we take a step backwards.
People are talking about how they'll "learn a lot about Florida in this game"--but that's nothing compared to what we'll learn about ourselves. EVERYTHING that happens from here on out will be a lesson, part of learning how to not just win, but win championships. The lessons are gonna come fast and furious now, further acceletating a process we are clearly already further along in than we could have dared hope for coming into the season.
NOT time yet to start hoping it could all apply now, our sudden ascendancy in the polls and media attention notwithstanding. Leave that to everyone else...They have been and remain so wrong about us and so many other things up til now, maybe it's best to leave all that aside--at least until it can't be denied, and more importantly, can only help, not hurt us.
 

miltongator

Gator Fan
October is the test for us. So far we've only played one complete game. We'll know way more about the maturation process at the end of the month.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
October is the test for us. So far we've only played one complete game. We'll know way more about the maturation process at the end of the month.
Couldn't agree more. In fact, if there was something I might let bother me now, it's the fact that on the radio and TV NOBODY is picking Mizzou in this one.
Geez--when did WE become the "juggernaut" for whom a road game against a team that has had our number, that has topped the SEC Eastrrn Div last 2 years no less, is some kind of "sure win" for us?!! Musta been some time in the last 8 or 9 days: Until then, we were practically invisible, OTHER people's "next win" if we were discussed at ALL.
But I'm trying to take all this, the whole season so far with its surprises and encouraging signs regarding our FUTURE, in stride--and hoping the Gator players take it that way too. Mac's doing his best to make just that kind of perspective, emotional balance, a basic part of this team's every day approach to each game, each opponent. Instill a concern for what WE do, how we think, act and prepare for the NEXT one, the main focus.
I am trying to do the same. Seems the least I can do--and considering how unexpected, even unreal what appears to be happening so fast, so soon, well, it seems the best way to go. For the sake of my OWN "perspective, emotional balance".
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Sep 5 New Mexico State W 61-13 [Florida was heavy preseason and pregame favorite]
Sep 12 East Carolina W 31-24 [Florida was preseason and pregame favorite]
Sep 19 @Kentucky W 14-9 [Kentucky favored outside of SEC]
Sep 26 Tennessee W 28-27 [Tennessee favored]
Oct 3 Mississippi W 38-10 [Ole Miss heavily favored]
Oct 10 @Missouri 4:30 PM PDT [Florida favored in winnable game, but Missouri was preseason favorite]
Oct 17 @LSU 4:00 PM PDT [LSU heavy preseason favorite]
Oct 31 @Georgia 12:30 PM PDT [Georgia heavy preseason favorite]
Nov 7 Vanderbilt 11:00 AM PST [Florida heavy favorite]
Nov 14 @South Carolina 11:00 AM PST [Toss up in preseason, Florida likely favorite pregame]
Nov 21 Florida Atlantic 11:00 AM PST [Florida heavy preseason and pregame favorite]
Nov 28 Florida State 11:00 AM PST [FSU heavy preseason favorite, TBD pregame]

I can see why opinions have flipped for Florida. Some outside the SEC even predicted Kentucky to win. Most assumed Florida would lose to Tennessee. Nobody (not even me) gave Florida a chance against Ole Miss.

Florida has been the better team in all of its losses against Missouri, but it has shot itself in the foot each time with turnovers, sloppy play, and crappy coaching. This year, Missouri is better in all phases than it has been, except at QB. This is a winnable game. I would be highly pissed if Florida lost this one.

LSU's Fournette is going to carve up Florida's defense for over 200 yards. I expect a loss here, but would not be surprised to see a win. Georgia's Chubb might carve up Florida as well, but I think the secondary can slow down the passing attack.

I have no idea what to think of FSU, but I think Missouri and Georgia will be good gauges on how we will do against FSU.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
@Escambia94,
Yes to all of the above--but this is such a strange onslaught of re-evaluation exercises...Never been thru' a Gator season like this one so far--sort of "lowered expectations seemingly unwarranted". At this point, I'M less "positive" than the "world at large" about our prospects, least for this year, even still. REALLY wanna be wrong, tho'. Has been SO heartening "being wrong" so far!
 

miltongator

Gator Fan
Was watching ESPN today and one of their guys had Florida as one of the final 4. It would be nice but let's get a dose of reality.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Was watching ESPN today and one of their guys had Florida as one of the final 4. It would be nice but let's get a dose of reality.
.
Lol That's what I mean. Here's that "reality": We were still stinkin' up the place much of the time just 4 and 1/2 quarters ago. Now, it has become clear that if/when we play our best, we are GOOD...do it for a full game beginning to end, we are capable of beating ANYONE. BUT NO ONE DOES THAT, all the time. Fortunately, we showed ourselves that we CAN come back, too--but prob NOT against anyone/everyone, no matter what... and most good teams aren't gonna slow down and wait for us, a la Jones and the Vols, either. We are quite capable of laying another egg out there...proved that too, earlier in year. Are we fully past that? Have we learned ALL the lessons? Doubt that--this is still a young team, thin at certain spots. So though I hate to say it, will hate even more to SEE it, gotta figure there're still some rough patches ahead, one way or another. Y'all know I can be bit superstitious, so I won't list all the opportunities for success OR failure ahead, general or specific. Just try and settle back, ride the ride.
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
I am puzzled that after beating Ole Miss the sports pundits went from ranking Florida at #25 or so to a power-top-5. I will wait and see. Missouri has a way of getting Florida to be stupid. 20-point wins in back-to-back years, primarily by turnovers and penalties.
 

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