What saved the season the most for Billy Napier?

A lot of teaching, development and strengthening going on for sure.

I've seen several players mention the Mississippi State game and the bye. They came together, decided to take ownership, and actually perform like they wanted to do all along with fierceness and confidence. A lot of things came together over the first bye.

 

I agree that we couldn't have beaten FSU without that amazing defensive effort. Why the big change in productivity that you mentioned? When you believe you can win, you'll play much, much harder. They believe in DJ. That's the difference. Coaching staff has done a good job in getting the culture in place, but none of it works without the right players. Lagway is a guy they all believe in. As long as he's in the game, they know they're still in the fight. That's an incredibly powerful thing.

 

You think they didn't play hard for Mertz? The defense was playing well against Tennessee and if Mertz hadn't gotten hurt we win that game.

Go look at the numbers. The offense didn't score a whole bunch more when lagway started playing. In fact the offense struggled quite a bit to stay on the field in multiple games which is expected since lagway was thrust into the starting role. He has definitely stretched the field more than Mertz was capable of doing but he isn't "there " yet. He will be no doubt. The offense stressed our defense even more once lagway got hurt although the potential for a quick score improved greatly.

Fans love the backup qb. They have good reason to love Lagway. But attributing everything to lagway is off in my opinion. The reports were that the defense was simplified during the first bye week. That happens to coincide with the improvement of the defense. You don't drop as many starters as florida has and continue to play even better defense when the defense beforehand was abysmal even with major contributors like Marshall, Moore, etc in place. The defense improved against ucf. Remember when miss state ran for 300 yards against us before the bye?

 

The D-line saved the season...

 

And after 7 pages of posts about the D-E-F-E-N-S-E.

the defense rests it case.............LOL

 

How can it be anything else? We haven't seen sacks, turnovers and 4th down stops since mullens second year here. It's the biggest thing that changed and it did so suddenly.

 

It reminds me of how the Patriots just FELT like a different team when a young Tom Brady took over after Bledsoe got injured.

 

Talking about the defensive #s. Didn't mention offense once. You mentioned a phenomenal defensive turnaround. Why? Lagway. Defense plays harder when they think they can win the game. Gators are 5-0 when Lagway starts and finishes the game. Unfortunately, there's no real way to measure intangibles, but the exponential rise in performance corresponds w/ Lagway taking over the QB role. You can see it in recruiting as well. Transfers and incoming freshman want to play for him. It's not like the players have a separate mind that they use just for games. Motivation to come to UF to play w/ Lagway will show up as motivation in the weight room, on the practice field and in the games.

 

Didn't mention offense? Lol ok.

 

Well, there's a written record above this post. The defensive turnaround is the key to the success at the end of this season, but it doesn't happen w/o Lagway. They simply wouldn't have played as well for anyone else.

 

Exactly. We haven't had anyone like this in the program since Tebow. DJ elevates everyone's game.

 

Wonder why they didn't play hard for him against aTm? Weird

 

He wasn't the lone starter against aTM. Why didn't they play well without him against Texas? Weird.

 

Ahhhh he had to be the lone starter now lol.
Ok buddy. Agree to disagree.

Thank God the defense wasn't deflated against ucf because Mertz was still playing!

 

Yeah, pretty much. Once it was his team the attitudes changed. You mention a change several times. Wonder what it was? Just a big picture take.

Also, UCF is ranked almost dead last in the BIG12. Not sure that's the winning point that you think it is.

 

Ok man. Take care.

 

Agreed. Not really talking about offensive skills here.