Reasons for Optimism

I agree that FSU is beatable, their schedule isn't terribly strong and they've been tested a few times. Unfortunately after watching the last few weeks I'm less confident UF is the type of team to give FSU fits; the pass rush and secondary haven't shown enough to believe they'll slow down Travis/Coleman/Wilson in any meaningful way. Duke led their game in Tallahassee through 3 quarters with a hobbled QB by winning the LOS. UF just isn't built to do that this year.

UF was able to get up and play a good LOS game at home against Tennessee. That game feels like an outlier this season, but maybe playing a big game at home brings out that version of UF again. Otherwise they'll have to try and win a shootout type game.

 

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I'm very optimistic about the spring sport teams. They are usually national contenders. Football not so much. It has been 15 years since they have been relevant nationally and I see nothing on the horizon that suggests otherwise.

 

We have to hold on to our recruiting class. The incoming players can see there is significant playing time available.
Napier has to give up play calling.
Napier needs to do a better job of evaluating portal players and getting an early start on signing them. Our portal transfer recruits are mediocre especially on the OL and LB. There is a reason they were not starting at the schools they came from. F$U is killing us in this space.
The OL coaches have to go. Recruiting is mediocre. We don't have a single OL who will play in the NFL. We will lose every time unless we close the gap.

 

We are making bad decisions on who we hire. FSU has not had a recruiting class ranked higher than 20 in four years. Rivals ranks their 2024 class at number 3 one above us. They are currently a top 4 Team and in line to play for a National Championship. They play in a different league and the portal has helped them immensly, but coaching is what has helped their program. They didn't need a top 5 class to win and get to number 4. Great coaches find ways to win when they are undermanned. This staff has not shown that ability and the play calling in critical situations is incoherent. I will be the first to admit I'm wrong when we're a top four team in Napier's fourth season, but I just don't see it. However, we will upset FSU in a thriller at home and cost them a Natty.

 

We really, really need to beat Arkansas and I’m certain we will get their best shot. They are coming off a bad showing and two weeks to prepare for us.
Stricklin needs to address the SEC about the positioning of our conference games. We are being penalized for playing good teams instead of 3 softies each season. Having our two cupcakes the 2nd and 4th game of the season is terrible scheduling. One of those games should be before the FSU game, or at the very least, in between Missouri and LSU.
Our last 4 games will be an uphill battle, but it’s an opportunity to grow stronger as a team and for our fan base to show some resolve by being positive. It might give us a little edge in recruiting. Couldn’t hurt.
I really like our chances against Arky and FSU, and I’m not conceding the other two games.

 

Defense is still a concern for me. Early on we were getting pushed around, and I knew we were in for a long game. But, McCray and others are on they way!

 

And the score wasn’t indicative of the differential. I love my gators, but this was a blowout.
We were manhandled from the third possession thru the rest of the half. But they didn’t give up. The gator crowd kind of fizzled a bit and stared leaving early (which was really disappointing) but the players played hard to the end. Give Georgia credit, they are in a place we want to be. We can get there.
I agree with the sentiment that we need to get elite lines, especially our offsensive line. Georgia was in our backfield without blitzing. But we lost all of our upper class last year to nfl/portal out and one of the three guys we brought in transferred out preseason. You can’t expect to fart out an elite offensive line. Wish we had some top 100 ol on the books for recruiting, but let’s hope some of those billionaire donors pull out the check book and wave the portal wand for us.
Blabbering aside, there is a ton of reason to be optimistic. Today was a blow out; we got handled until it became obvious that it was no longer a game. We have the signs of potential bubbling. And, from my perspective, with what we lost on the offensive line last year, we are too young to expect elite results, aka beating #1 at a neutral site. The portal / NIL is a formula changing magic wand that can help get us there sooner. Would love to see a couple transfers come in over the offseason.

 

For me it's the recruiting. Hopefully, we can also do some work in the portal. Next year is another rough schedule so tempering expectations for year 3 as well but it will serve as a good measuring stick for progress when compared to this year.

 

We are not good on the line of scrimmage, our receivers, except for Pearsall, can't create space against a quality secondary and our secondary can't cover quality receivers. We need a special teams coordinator and offensive coordinator really bad. And he has to hold this recruiting class together. I honestly only see the potential for 1 more win this year and that's this Saturday vs. Arkansas. No way we beat Missouri or LSU on the road and FSU is simply better than us and unless the breaks go our way, I don't see us beating them. 6-6 or 5-7 is how I see it. Not good.

 

So was their coach not elite the 1st 3 years on campus and just became elite this past off season? Because he surely wasn't "finding ways to win" until toward the end of season 3. Before that he was struggling to even recruit a QB. But he was able to add the Jimmy's and Joe's to his roster and he is now seeing the fruits of his labor.

 

Im not sure at what point you jettison BOTH o line coaches (end of season or post bowl season) but I dont see anything that makes me think either has more value than a speed bump. Our entire o line minus one bailed out on them (for whatever reason) and their recruiting has been putrid. On the field performance speaks for itself.

Adding the o coordinator...there is a chance we enter the post season with a string of miserable losses. Holding the class together particularly with our offensive issues will be really tough. Do you secure a o coordinator immediately to keep the offensive recruits engaged or wait till post bowl season to sift through the coaching changes and have more options and potentially lose some offensive guys who dont see the new scheme benefiting them or even lose some of our talent to the portal. I could see us taking a shot at Scott Frost who is innovative and unemployed currently (yes I know about Nebraska but who wants to play in Nebraska)

Also Im not sure how hard it is going to be to bring in a OC if we finish the season with 6-7 wins heading into a vicious schedule next year and potentially Napier on the hot seat. Even if we recruit well that schedule is beyond difficult and I would be thrilled with 9 wins. 7-8 wins may seem good enough but weve never been accused of being a patient fan base.

 

Going to have to pony up the bucks with a guarantee on years. That is if you want to get someone good.

Billy might go the same route he did with AA and try and find some young guy that he thinks is a hidden gem.

 

Need that W to get to 6 - 3.

 

Just another inane post by a nole troll. How did your boy Deion do yesterday?

 

I realize that is what the numbers say but last year UGA so outclassed us they treated us like Vandy and only halfway even tried. They at least had to try again this year.

 

This is what I like.

Every Gator fan believe that once we signed a new coach, had a good recruiting class, have another great recruiting class in waiting, that we should win a championship that quickly.

Even the great Kirby Dumb Dumb took years to build his roster. I hate these losses but please, give the man some time.

 

His record says otherwise. Only bad year was his first at 8-5. Granted he had a much better roster but he hit the ground running and they’ve not looked back.

2016
8-5

2017
13-2

2018
11-3

2019
12-2

2020
8-2

2021
14-1

2022
15-0

2023
8-0

 

No.