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DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
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(1)There's talk about our going to the Fiesta Bowl against UCF if we win out from here...But there's also discussion that Penn State (a more traditional invitee to that one) will get that bid...The interesting part of that discussion is how much either program really RELISHES that spot--to wit, defending the "honor" and pride of all the "Big Boy" Conferences and programs. Given everything that has happened this season and how our fortunes and outlook have risen and fallen over its course, I say we gladly accept that challenge, JUMP at the chance to go into what would be a much watched, highly anticipated matchup... Maybe I'm wrong, that this squad might be better off just going to something "nice" but less crucial, get what we need (extended prep and practice time, TV exposure and whatever post season "prestige" can be sqeezed from it all) going into the final stretch of recruiting, win or lose. I'd LIKE to think the challenge and focus, the national ATTENTION would serve to arouse the BEST in our team and program--and that we'd go into such a situation and RISE TO THE OCCASION, administer a BEAT DOWN that would help to further mark our "return" and only enhance our recruiting profile. But UCF will be hyped for that one too--all the more if it were against "The Mighty Gators". We could lose--and it COULD get away from us badly. But damnit, do we choose to "play it safe", choose from FEAR? Of course not: We leap at the opportunity, if it comes our way.
(2) We don't normally talk about OTHER teams' and/or Coach's problems unless we are about to play them--and even then, only from the point of view of how we might exploit it...But this business with Saban insisting on playing Tua against Citadel, even though he is CLEARLY injured, is kinda weird.
I understand his attitude--towards both the media offering THEIR opinion AND "sending a message" to his team, but it also strikes me as stubborness to the point of foolishness. His TEAM better than anyone knows what Tua means to their Championship aspirations, and understands their current situation at the QB position...Tua shouldn't even have BEEN in there for that last series where he took the hit on his (already injured) knee. At this point, no matter WHAT, no matter how severe (or not) the injury, he needs (at MINIMUM) some rest and rehab, and the 3rd stringer needs some work. If you wanna get Tua in there against Citadel for a series or two early to limit the chance of him losing that sense of rhythm with the offense, that's one thing, and there's some truth to the idea of the messages you send your team...but anything more just seems like Saban's "message" might be aimed more at the media and the WORLD "out there" he shows so much contempt for--which, manifested in this way at this time, would be the height of arrogant stupidity.
I credit the man with more sense than that. We may not like him, but you can't argue with the results achieved of late. But if "they" (everyone outside you and yours) don't matter, then you ignore them all and DO WHAT'S RIGHT. This is the easy part: Look out for your player AND your TEAM.
In this way, I think maybe we begin to see the "chinks in Saban's otherwise tough and shining armor": A perfectionist, yes, but more and more it starts to look like this is as much or more about HIM, what HE says and looks to prove out there.
If so, I believe Dan Mullen, who has similar standards but his own very different approach, and manner in which he seeks to achieve them, can and WILL find ways to exploit that.
"Pride goeth before the fall": Sanan himself begins to become the weakness in the total structure.
(3) There has been a lot of media BS criticism regarding our long-snapper's "karaoke/air guitar performance" end of the 3rd qtr on Saturday...Now, in most cases these people might have a point, but they have taken it completely out of context, oblivious to the "new tradition" TP-singalong now customary after "We Are The Boys", and calling them out for doing it when we were still DOWN 2 scores...But the TRUTH is IT HELPED FIRE THE SWAMP CROWD UP!!! We had already BEGUN to feel the "breeze" that would become a "howling wind", it had already started to FEEL different--and that slightly silly "thing" he and his fellow special teams cohorts got into over there appeared to galvinize a Swamp crowd READY to break out. Maybe they NEEDED something, ANYTHING to get them going, but at the very least it loosened everything and everyone UP: After that, good things happened and the Gator home fans went NUTS--They were a factor (like they HADN'T been) the rest of the way.
Coach Mullens has been PLEADING for that, all season and especially last coupla home games...Here it was, finally, and though maybe NOT the way he (or any Coach) would have requested or pre-approved, but NO ONE on the sidelines could be unhappy with the spontaneous results. I wouldn't make THAT part (the long snapper's "performance") a weekly thing, but as a one time deal, it was FINE: the crazy right thing at the unexpected, crazy right time.
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
I am not too worried about bowl games right now. There is always a chance that the Gators crap the bed against FSU and they get downgraded into a worse bowl game. UF vs UCF would not be such a bad match-up, but I think UCF will have the motivation to beat UF. Here are the latest bowl projections as of week 11:
  • ESPN (Sherman): Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC, Dec 29 vs Pitt
  • ESPN (Bonagura): Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL, Jan 1 vs Iowa
  • CBS Sports: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, Jan 1 vs UCF
  • Sporting News: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL, Jan 1 vs Penn State
  • SB Nation: Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, Dec 29 vs UCF
There are plenty of variables that could change those bowl projections, especially with two more games to play--including top-15 match-ups between #1 Alabama vs #5 Georgia, #4 Michigan vs #10 Ohio State, #3 Notre Dame vs #11 Syracuse, and #6 Oklahoma vs #8 West Virginia.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
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I am not too worried about bowl games right now. There is always a chance that the Gators crap the bed against FSU and they get downgraded into a worse bowl game. UF vs UCF would not be such a bad match-up, but I think UCF will have the motivation to beat UF. Here are the latest bowl projections as of week 11:
  • ESPN (Sherman): Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC, Dec 29 vs Pitt
  • ESPN (Bonagura): Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL, Jan 1 vs Iowa
  • CBS Sports: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, Jan 1 vs UCF
  • Sporting News: Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL, Jan 1 vs Penn State
  • SB Nation: Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, Dec 29 vs UCF
There are plenty of variables that could change those bowl projections, especially with two more games to play--including top-15 match-ups between #1 Alabama vs #5 Georgia, #4 Michigan vs #10 Ohio State, #3 Notre Dame vs #11 Syracuse, and #6 Oklahoma vs #8 West Virginia.
Yeah, I don't like worrying about bowl projections or our place in them at this point either, especially in a SEASON like this one, where dealing with what is right in front of us each week has been and continues to be so important, and we still have 2 actual games left to play--That's why I put comments concerning our undeniable (but dangerous to team performance) interest in "Side Notes"...
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
It would be interesting if the Gators did play UCF.
Oh, "interesting" is definitely the right word...Did you ever hear that old "Chinese Curse"?:
"May you live in interesting times."
I first heard of that when I was very young--and I couldn't figure out, "Why would that be a 'curse'?!! How could something 'interesting' be a curse? Be bad???"
I get it now. Here, for example, it will be a dubious "honor", at best. WE have little to gain in winning such a matchup (just doing what everyone will say is expected, even slightly bullying if we do "take care of business"...while THEY will be hailed as "underdog heroes: WRONGED up til now" if THEY win (and meanwhile WE then will be dismissed with contempt by all the OTHER major college programs and their fans for failing to better defend all THEIR pride, hopes and honor).
But of COURSE we TAKE the bid: Are you KIDDING? It will be perhaps the most-watched post-season game, maybe even stirring more attention and higher ratings nationally than the actual CFB Championship game--especially if THAT turns out to be a seeming Alabama coronation.
It is a rose with thorns though: enormous attention, but potentially even worse than losing in the Championship game...You could end the season with a loss that makes you the butt of jokes. As far as turning the page and BUILDING on your season's positives, NOT ideal.
In the event, however, of course we GO for it--and if worse comes to worst, we just go with that old showbiz addage:
"Just spell the NAME right!"

GATORS FOREVER!
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Florida would beat UCF nine times out of ten, but they would be more motivated than Florida in most cases. Florida has the advantage of skilled youth, just in case the seniors and draft eligible juniors decide to quit.
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Updated bowl projections:
  • ESPN (Sherman): Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, Dec 29 vs UCF
    • Old projection before Idaho - Belk Bowl, Charlotte, NC, Dec 29 vs Pitt
  • ESPN (Bonagura): PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, Jan 1 vs Penn State
    • Old projection before Idaho - Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL, Jan 1 vs Iowa
  • CBS Sports: Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, Jan 1 vs UCF (no change)
  • Sporting News: PlayStation Fiesta Bowl, Glendale, AZ, Jan 1 vs West Virginia
    • Old projection before Idaho - Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL, Jan 1 vs Penn State
  • SB Nation: Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, Dec 29 vs UCF (no change)
  • College Football News: Outback Bowl, Tampa, FL vs Penn State
  • DRatings: Chick Fil-A Peach Bowl, Atlanta, GA, Dec 29 vs UCF
 
Last edited:

Leakfan12

VIP Member
WVU would be an interesting matchup and also a way to smack around Will Grier (has WVU faced a good defense? I doubt it).
 

Escambia94

Aerospace Cubicle Engineer (ACE)
Moderator
Regardless of what happens this weekend, it is safe to assume that Dan Mullen and his staff have vastly improved this team. For the first time since 2009, the Gators have a top-50 total offense!
  • 2018 #50 (#30 scoring offense)
  • 2017 #116 (#107 scoring offense)
  • 2016 #116 (#100 scoring offense)
  • 2015 #112 (#53 scoring offense)
  • 2014 #96 (#112 scoring offense)
  • 2013 #115
  • 2012 #104
  • 2011 #105
  • 2010 #83
  • 2009 #6
 
Last edited:

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Florida would beat UCF nine times out of ten, but they would be more motivated than Florida in most cases. Florida has the advantage of skilled youth, just in case the seniors and draft eligible juniors decide to quit.
Really like your thinking here, E--: If the seniors and potentual-"jumpers" among the juniors appeared to be "just goin' thru the motions" out there in the first qtr, I hope Coach & Co. would BE ready to make wholesale substitutions, with the underclassmen given their opportunities to get in there and show what they got. It'd be unconventional, even risky--and possibly the one possible cure for some big "end-of-season/college letdown" that shouldn't, but sometimes DOES happen (diff situation, but nonetheless SEEN in '09 SEC Championship Game against Tide--REMEMBER?). Of COURSE I hope (and presently don't expect) such doesn't come to pass: That IF we end up in such a game the senior leaders come out, lead the way on BOTH sides of the ball and we TAKE this game, start to finish. We CAN do that, have the TEAM (talent, coaching, current states-of-mind/emotion/spirit) to get it done. But we fans never know for sure until the ball is kicked.
 

DRU2012

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Regardless of what happens this weekend, it is safe to assume that Dan Mullen and his staff have vastly improved this team. For the first time since 2009, the Gators have a top-50 total offense!
  • 2018 #50 (#30 scoring offense)
  • 2017 #116 (#107 scoring offense)
  • 2016 #116 (#100 scoring offense)
  • 2015 #112 (#53 scoring offense)
  • 2014 #96 (#112 scoring offense)
  • 2013 #115
  • 2012 #104
  • 2011 #105
  • 2010 #83
  • 2009 #6
Talk about "Stark evidence"!
WE (finally) GOT THE RIGHT COACH!
 

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