A podcast gave me this idea because the topic was discussed. I am going to avoid my take and enjoy your thoughts!
Miami to me. We should be fairly evenly matched, big rivalry game (at least to us old guys) early and we haven't played them in a while. Also, lots of new players we'll be seeing for the first time.
Better beat Miami or the knives will be out for CBN. Cam Ward is going to test our DL/secondary all day. After that, Texas and Ole Miss will be intriguing.
Miami. First game of the season. A game both programs want to win badly. A very important early read on what kind of season we will likely have. Notch the W: things look more hopeful. Lose: not so much.
I understand Miami being the popular choice, but I’ll go with A&M. A pretty evenly matched OOC opponent on week 1 can be unpredictable. There are a lot of unknowns. But win or lose, how do you respond? If you lose, do you course correct …or if you win, is it fools gold. Week 3 is key IMO.
I think the most important game is Miami for all the reasons already mentioned. As far as most intriguing, I’m leaning toward Tennessee and Kentucky. Right in the middle of the season sandwiched between a manageable first 5 games and a gauntlet last 5 games. Both games will be evenly matched with Tennessee wanting revenge and Kentucky wanting to extend their streak.
Agree that it’s Miami. Napier needs to open the playbook and throw the kitchen sink at them. It’s as close a must-win as there is in CFB.
Gotta go with Kentucky. We will finally get the monkey off our backs and get back to middling + instead of middling -. That was kind of hard to type...
The kitchen sink is in the equation, but first of all you have to line up and beat their ass physically.
Orange or Blue, depending on your perspective. After that, Miami... i.e., the next game is the most intriguing to me. Hoping for a little Leaks/Tebow in Mertz/Lagway this year, intrigued on how each game stacks.
Exactly what I want to see. And efficiency in all 3 phases. I understand the angst vs Miami. Fans want to see that we have improved and can win a marquee game out of the gate. However I wouldn't panic from a loss if we play well. Good teams often lose their opener and do really well afterwards. It is time though to reestablish state dominance, and DEFEND THE SWAMP.
Agree, this game is huge and sets the tone for the season! If we win the first five games, then Tennessee is really huge! Best case scenario, we go into the world's largest cocktail party, and everyone gets smashed (fans). After that, no one remembers who won the damn football game!!!
Yep, gotta rack up some W's early as the back half is brutal. It would be great to grab a few w's that no one expects us to.
Miami will probably be in the top 25. That is a statement game, and I expect the Gators to be fired up. Miami will definitely come to play. So, no game is huger!!!
I assure you, sir, I was smashed at the WLOCP last season … and I well remember how it played out, nor is time likely to heal the wound.
Fair or not the narrative after that game will be that one coach is circling the drain and the other is finally getting things pointed in the right direction. I know what narrative I want my coach to be on. UM is a HUGE, crucial game for the Gators and even more so for their head-man. I hope he realizes it.
I’m with you in that Kentucky is another game Napier probably has to win to get a fourth season, but if we can’t beat Miami after a full offseason to prepare, then we can probably forget about Kentucky. I would take Kentucky over Miami on a neutral field today. And that, too, was difficult to write.
Gonna go in a slightly different direction. I say FSU. It's the end of the season giving the team time to gel if it's going to happen. They lost a ton from last year and who knows how good that QB in his 10th school is going to do. Could also go with Miss. for the same reason.
