I was hoping for a scene out of Heaven Can Wait, where the player gets up off the stretcher (or cart in this case) and sprints back to the game. Didn’t happen.
No team plays the same schedule as another. And we've routinely had very difficult ones over the years. We got the spot against OSU in the BCS over Michigan as a one loss team because we played the toughest schedule in the country. This year's schedule, while difficult, already looks different in practice than it did preseason, with UK and UCF having less success than expected and FSU comically horrible.
I wonder if the FACT that so many fans are down on the program and Napier has anything to do with our recruiting doing so poorly? Other coaches don’t have to say anything bad about us - we’re doing it ourselves!
The possibilities were endless if DJ stayed healthy. I think we are in trouble until Talahassee with Aidan Warner at QB.
Kids read the boards,read social media. It influences them. This team was ready to play last night and had UGA on their heels. We have lost 2 lynchpins to this team and others. How would Urban Meyer fared without Chris Leak and Tebow?
Just to square this circle, it’s pretty clear that the mods moved @gatordavisl’s post to this thread after he posted it.
He slipped. It isn't dumb - it's smart. You run DJ because his ability changes the way the entire defense plays. You can do it with relatively safe runs. The running backs were clicking because of his arm and his running ability stressing the defense. Again - he slipped - do you want to game your plays to not put your players in situations where they might slip? I saw our players slip while trying to cut numerous times. If the condition of the field was subpar, UF should never play there again. I didn't notice UGA players slipping but I watch them differently. I noticed it happening so often to us on offense, I started wondering why the announcers weren't saying anything about it. I think one of the on field commentators finally did. We lost Shemar James last year because of that field. We need to demand that they fix it.
It seemed like Herbsteit couldn't get enough digs in on Florida and couldn't praise Beck enough. The final straw for me was toward the end of the game when Herbie said something to the effect of "I doubt we'll see much of Florida the rest of the year."
No, sorry. It was utterly STUPID to run CALLED running plays for our only viable QB. I'd fire Napier for that alone.
Seabud, this is an outstanding post. I agree with your last point about a new coach. Unfortunately for Billy, I believe he has spent all of his grace and he has lost the narrative of his vision for Gator football. At this point, what can he offer recruits or portal players? Development to get you to the pros? Questionable at best. A chance to play for titles? Nope. How about postseason play? No again. A winning season? NIL money? Probably going to start to dry up as there is poor return on investment with Billy at the helm. Unfortunately for Billy, the story is over. The tale that is left is not good.
I realized this morning the QB curse is worse than I thought. I remembered Mertz going out in Mizzou, a game we nearly won, and having Max finish the season. Because Kitna...wasn't available. Yesterday he was 25/32 for 404, 6 TDs, QBR 95.5.
I disagree. Before the game, I told someone our only chance to steal some games was the pressure a running QB puts. And yes, I was considering the risk. Playing it safe is what he gets roasted for.
Well I disagree DJ’s greatest threat to stress the D is the long ball at any moment. I do like him running when plays break down and he sees open field. I felt the same way with AR. Just stubborn. Go Gators