Guys, I did some more analysis. I flipped a coin ten times and Bama won 6 out of 10 coin flips.
Seriously, this game will come down to Justin Fields' ribs/back and Mac Jones' ability to minimize mistakes. Jones does not make many mistakes, but like Kyle Trask, when defenses push the offensive line or disrupt the receivers he will toss interceptions. Granted, Jones had fewer lost fumbles compared to Trask, because he had running backs to carry the load. Alabama lost 7 fumbles this year; Florida lost 9. Mac Jones only lost 2 of the 7 fumbles and tossed 4 interceptions, but Kyle Trask lost 3 of the 9 fumbles and tossed 8 interceptions (3 in the last game) because he carried the entire offense on his back. Jones can spread the load to his running backs, but he has been forced into making bad throws with opposing rushers in his face.
I will watch the game, if only to see how close the Gators are to being in this CFP final. Maybe the Gators really are 4 points away from being in this game. Maybe it just takes a new secondary coach. Who knows?
Well, we learned TWO things tonight:
(1) Your coin has definitely GOT to sober up, or “he” will go broke—along with everyone who follows “his” prognosticating. Stick with “Mr. Eye Test”, who has a better record than “6 of 10”!, and
(2) Um, WE were the ONLY team that even came CLOSE to Bama at the top of their game this season...
In fact, let’s just SAY it, STATE THE OBVIOUS:
With the sudden blossoming of assorted playmakers on offense, this was a squandered opportunity at a Gator Natty!
And one more thing:
This season’s Gator offense, plus LAST season’s Gator DEfense, “woulda/coulda/SHOULDA” been 2020’s Nat’l Champs—AND favored to REPEAT heading into 2021!
(Of course, EVERYTHING would be different at this point, the “Mullen-to-NFL” talk all the stronger, though I’d STILL lean towards him likely sticking around ...As it is, it underlines and puts the exclamation point to your comments above preceding “...Who knows?”, E—.
Once he can get things fixed, find some help (for Grantham or beyond him) on defense, there could be a long term, annual battle rejoined between us and the Tide for seasons to come.
I suspect the Offense, in different guises, has already begun to reliably hit its stride under Mullen...but it’s of course on Defense where the question marks remain.
On to 2021, Gents.
Go Gators—The NEXT Champions of the SEC (and hence, the WORLD of CFB)!