Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Alabama

cover2

Founding Member
I've grown old
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
8,829
32,013
Founding Member
I'm going to post in two parts, partly because we just got back in from a friend's birthday get together (where I watched the second half) and I got pretty deep into the cold beers. Also, I want to try and find the game stats (for whatever reason, I can't find them at Gatorzone anymore) to digest and I'd also like to see the post game presser. So what I'll give is my usual impressions and a few light analyses. Not much joy in Mudville after a 54-16 @ss kicking that was hard to watch even though most expected it. Anyway, here goes:
  • Glimpses. We had a couple to inspire some hope, like a TD drive on the opening possession. Similar to the script that began the F$U game, but actually found the end zone, and against Lord Nick and his professional collegians no less. Glimpses of sh!tty QB play. Well really there where extended views and it requires cuing the broken record of several seasons that until we get a bonafide guy in that position, many of our struggles offensively will continue. Glimpses of of a size, strength, depth, and speed mismatch where Bama is concerned. Despite a handful of good plays on both sides of the ball, we pretty much got dominated. To borrow a phrase from the late Kenny Stabler, I haven't seen as many roosters hitting the windshield of a team of semis in a long time as I did tonight. Hate to quote Dooley, but as he said in a post-game column, the gap is wide between us and them right now, and I'm personally having a difficult time seeing it close enough for us to be competitive with an elite team in the near future. Glimpses of what once was when the broadcast opened with a montage of the eight previous times we met Bama in the SECCG (well, seven of them at least).
  • Saw a lot of things I've seen before this season...1) the aforementioned poor QB play (3 INT's was more than enough to make me wonder for the umpteenth time "why have we not seen one or both of the freshmen?); 2) the OL get dominated (I know it was Bama and we've had injuries, but for goodness sakes, we were able to get a push against the LSU D that pretty much held Bama in check!); 3) the D gave a good effort, but eventually succumbed to a strong and powerful offense after our O, with a couple of exceptions, failed to convert or extend some drives; 4) open receivers either overlooked or under thrown to (on one of the picks, Callaway was streaking past the Bama secondary only to have Appleby throw well behind him off of his back foot); 5) a lot of missed tackles. I'm sure there were more, but I'll stop here for now. This is enough.
  • Saban is a good coach, nobody will contest that, but his genius may be in not only the simplicity of his game plan but also sticking with it. We weren't going to run on them and Appleby and the receivers were going to have to beat him. Of course, it's a plan that is easier to pull off when you are as good from top to bottom as they are, but even a lesser team could pull it off if they stick to the script. That is part of why we are as bad as we are against the better teams (and a couple of average ones).
  • Two plays that summed up a part of the divide that exists between us an Bama (and really most of the elites we play or might play)...Quincy Wilson getting stiff-armed to the ground by a Bama RB and young Reese getting pancaked on a Bama TD run. The difference in strength and aggression was quite stark in many instances tonight.
  • Glad we played UK and Vandy when we did!
  • There were bright spots...nice throw to Callaway for an opening TD, same to Goolsby, heads up play on the blocked PAT by Reese's to return it for points, a couple of good series by the D, etc. The special teams play overall was not. Nor was getting stuffed four plays when we had it first and goal, but F$U gave us a heads up on that. Of course, we hadn't pissed a drop running the ball to that point and yet (forgive me) we try it three times in that span! Go figure if you can.
Part II will come tomorrow, but in the mean time, I look forward to your input. I'll sign off by saying this...I appreciate that, as Mac is wont to say, our guys are playing their tales off, and there was a point early in the season that they weren't, but it isn't enough without depth, consistency, all around better play, and most certainly better offensive game planning. Without a quick fix in these areas, it's hard to see us become appreciably better in the near future. Tonight should have been a wake up call for any that are still dreaming of a hurried return to any National Championship conversations. The next step will be to see how we approach the bowl. Quoting Dooley again, but I agree that it should be a time to see a change at QB (and I'm not referring to reinserting LDR as the starter). Nor should it be viewed as just an extra few weeks to practice. A win would help in many ways!

Go Gators! :chomp:
 
Last edited:

BMF

Bad Mother....
Lifetime Member
Sep 8, 2014
25,399
59,220
Thanks C2. This keeps getting uglier every week (win or lose).

I think it's painfully obvious that this staff won't get us to where we need to be. It's bad. It's ugly. It's incompetent. It can't end soon enough.
 

ATXGator

Founding Member
Austin Gator
Lifetime Member
Jun 14, 2014
5,126
4,524
Founding Member
Thanks C2. I think the glimpses gave me hope. If we get a QB we are a different team.

The big issue right now is recruiting and depth. Alabama has 5* after 5* and they are just bigger, stronger and faster than everybody. Their defensive speed was incredible!

We have no depth on D to deal with a team that physical. We can't rotate Dlineman because 1/2 of ours are hurt and we haven't recruited depth at the DT position.

It takes time to rebuild from where we were. Anybody who expects us to be elite with this talent is kidding themselves.

McElwain needs to recruit elite players. Bottom line. He hasn't shown he can put together a high level class yet. He needs to get that done.
 

78

Founding Member
Dazed and Confused
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
19,745
27,635
Founding Member
How can you play this hard and f*ck up this badly? I wanted to throw my beer at the screen over the special teams play, the handoff up the middle on fourth down, the blocked punt and the flea flicker that took two minutes to develop. Your coach is hired to put the team in the best position to win. Our guy didn't come close. We were poorly prepared on multiple fronts. We were competing with these guys until all the screwups. I know, mistakes are a part of being outmanned, but this was frustrating.

Summation: Foley doubled down and lost. Stricklin's got work to do. Why wait for the inevitable to play out? Get the process started now.
 

GatorJB

Founding Member
Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
3,449
6,124
Founding Member
Thanks C2. I think the glimpses gave me hope. If we get a QB we are a different team.

The big issue right now is recruiting and depth. Alabama has 5* after 5* and they are just bigger, stronger and faster than everybody. Their defensive speed was incredible!

We have no depth on D to deal with a team that physical. We can't rotate Dlineman because 1/2 of ours are hurt and we haven't recruited depth at the DT position.

It takes time to rebuild from where we were. Anybody who expects us to be elite with this talent is kidding themselves.

McElwain needs to recruit elite players. Bottom line. He hasn't shown he can put together a high level class yet. He needs to get that done.
The beginning of your post and the ending contradict each other. This team is hopeless as long as Mac is the head coach. Sure the game would've been closer if a better QB were playing, but we still would've lost due to the talent gap that exists. And there is no evidence to support that Mac can recruit well enough to fix the talent gap, and I don't think he could coach those players up if he did magically get all the good recruits. Bottom line is that Mac is a good OC but not a head coach.
 

gingerlover

Junior Member
Lifetime Member
Sep 20, 2014
3,923
4,674
Until we recruit better the only thing that will change against better teams is how much we loose by. depth, size, skill, strength, etc eventually will wear us down even if we are hanging tight early until we have studs. This was 5* vs 3* on display. This is my biggest concern with Mac if you want to fall for the "he just needs a QB argument". We need a line, bigger TE, better DL, better LB. I'll hold judgement on corners trying to tackle running backs by themselves because its a mismatch and I want to believe Scarlett would be better with a line in front of him. One thing is for sure and that is Nuss can't hack it without the scripted plays. Gets way to cute. There is also no reason for Powell to be the focus of our offense. That being said I was gone for the second half and I got all this from the first.
 

divits

Founding Member
A Muffin of the Studly Variety
Lifetime Member
Jun 13, 2014
12,702
22,997
Founding Member
It's amazing how this year has turned out to be a carbon copy of last year. Once again we end up getting blown to bits by FSU and BAMA and our soon to be bowl opponent. And the issues we have are the same we've had for the last 7 years. No QB. No o-line. No depth. Unimaginative play calling. I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of time loop continuum. Will somebody please stomp on the floor so that this f**king record will stop skipping?

I've heard we may play Louisville or Iowa in the bowl. I see another humiliation in the works and I don't think I can take any more of this. As it was I left in the third quarter to take the dog for a walk and we stopped to watched a local dance troupe do a rendition of The Nutcracker in a bandshell by my house. That's right, I chose to watch a bunch of little girls in tutus twirl around on stage rather than watch The University of Florida Sh!tshow in the freakin' SEC Championship.

I love the sunshiner's, really I do. I appreciate optimism even when I don't have any myself. But even the most optimistic pollyanna has to see that we are not getting any better than we were with Muschamp and it's obvious that we will not be getting any better any time soon. The bandaid has got to be ripped off and ripped off soon.
 
Last edited:

Jbossgator8

Founding Member
Senior Member
Lifetime Member
Jun 11, 2014
4,706
4,299
Founding Member
Can't be happy to be here in the SEC Title game. In it to win it. Getting blown out 2 straight years doesn't cut it. Scoring 20 points a game doesn't cut it. Being ranked 20th in recruiting doesn't cut it. Being ranked 120th in offense doesn't cut it. Gotta be better and get better.
 

gardnerwebbgator

Founding Member
Aight Then
Lifetime Member
Jun 19, 2014
9,548
15,606
Founding Member
Like I said in the other thread, in the first half, we had receivers running WIDE open every damned play, even though we made zero attempt to run the football. The yellow toothed dildo on the sideline that is a supposed QB genius can't get us an average one to complete those throws.
 

rogdochar

Founding Member
RIP
Lifetime Member
Jun 14, 2014
25,397
29,513
Founding Member
It's amazing how this year has turned out to be a carbon copy of last year. Once again we end up getting blown to bits by FSU and BAMA and our soon to be bowl opponent. And the issues we have are the same we've had for the last 7 years. No QB. No o-line. No depth. Unimaginative play calling. I feel like I'm stuck in some kind of time loop continuum. Will somebody please stomp on the floor so that this f**king record will stop skipping?

Well scripted 'divits'. I'd just add that this year turned out to be a carbonehead copy of last year.
Now, what real adjustments can be made to get us more "stocked" for the new HC-CEO and competent crew? This crew can't stock UF very well unless at least some coaches make changes
"we can use" ... asap. The "new-crew" may not get here for 2-3 more years.?? Woe is us.
 

Swamp Donkey

Founding Member
7-14 vs P5 Fire Stricklin First
Lifetime Member
Jun 9, 2014
78,161
109,975
Founding Member
Can't be happy to be here in the SEC Title game. In it to win it. Getting blown out 2 straight years doesn't cut it. Scoring 20 points a game doesn't cut it. Being ranked 20th in recruiting doesn't cut it..
To be fair, scoring 20 points or being 20th in recruiting would be an improvement.
 

TN G8tr

Founding Member
The "Original" TN G8tr
Lifetime Member
Jun 14, 2014
7,372
9,022
Founding Member
Cover, you needed to be into those beers to have to sit there and watch that abomination we saw last night. Many of us expected a BAMA win and one convincingly. What I find myself so pissed off about is how this staff approaches it with the ole Golly Gee mentality. It did appear we tried to throw more of the kitchen sink at them than what we usually do. Difference is the talent. The other part that is so bad is they seem to not take action. You have a QB throw 3 picks, bench his azz. When its 4th and goal, you don't run the same dang play you did the previous three or a semblance of them. And realizing that you had better get some talent in there and fast. Mac says be proud of what you put on tape. Well dammid he is just as much responsible for what goes on tape. Really proud huh. Several things need to happen prior to the bowl or shortly after......

AA should not take another snap at UF unless all other QB's are mysteriously missing. LDR is very close to that state as well. I would take Franks or Trask in a heartbeat.
Nuss needs a fresh start and we need a break. Nuff said there.
Mac and team had better recruit bodies and some with significant talent. He had the blueprint of what a recruit needs to be by the azz whippin' he got last night.
Sommers....time to retire.
Nord needs to hit the road as well. Poor coaching espeically on a botch punt fake. Sure it went through his hands but everyone in stadium knew that was coming.

If I were Mac its pretty simple what he has to do to survive here. Or anywhere for that matter. No way he would get by with this shyt at say like.....Oregon or Bama. Get a decent QB, if he can't ball, go to the next. Recruit quality players, and make some changes on the staff. Part of me wants to think he realizes this if I can figure it out. But he's got to do this or next year he is done.
 

deuce

Founding Member
"Cry 'Havoc!', and let slip the dogs of war."
Lifetime Member
Jun 11, 2014
6,891
6,162
Founding Member
The silver lining is that this season is almost over and I didn't die when we lost to FSU and Bama (again).

I don't care what Bowl Game we go to. I'd like for UF to win it but I'm not basing my happiness on the result of a meaningless game.

I'm tired of Mac's countrified banter and have realized that he's not very likable. I don't think he will be fired so I will do my best to support him and hope he has the fortitude to make some staff changes and surprises us with a top 10 recruiting class. Unfortunately I don't expect either to happen.

As time passes, I will start to feel better about Florida Football and will begin to look forward to next season with hope.
That's just my nature, where there is life, there is hope.

The funny thing is that from season to season everything can change.... players grow up and become better, coaches can learn how to do their jobs better and the old adage "winning fixes everything" is true.

As bleak as it seems right now, we are still Florida Gators and we will prevail.

I need a new drug!

* I wish Mac would have his teeth whitened, maybe that would help recruiting...
 

T REX

Founding Member
Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2014
10,107
7,389
Founding Member
I don't care what Bowl Game we go to. I'd like for UF to win it but I'm not basing my happiness on the result of a meaningless game.

I really don't give one shyt about your happiness. If winning our bowl game increases the perception of our program and Aw shucks...then go out and win it and win it big. Time for our country bumpkin coach to show he knows what he is doing. I'm tired of BS pumping.

This was just a very poor hire from day one. Mac has basically rode a talented defense to MEANINGLESS SEC Easts. Next year? El Crapo is going to have to stand on his own two feet. Look for him to get trucked.
 

oxrageous

Founding Member
It's Good to be King
Administrator
Jun 5, 2014
36,935
97,630
Founding Member
I expect the East to be stronger next year (admittedly, that's not saying much). If we play next year like we've played the last two, we won't even sniff a lowly East title. We could be looking at losses to UK and Vandy.

Translation? Barring a miracle, next year is already a lost season with a dead-man-walking coach. He's being given another year because the AD almost certainly feels he has to give a coach at least 3 years. You think recruits don't see what's happening? This class is destined to be a disaster because they know Mac is going to be fired.
 

ATXGator

Founding Member
Austin Gator
Lifetime Member
Jun 14, 2014
5,126
4,524
Founding Member
Only two teams scored more than us against Bama this year. Our offensive game plan actually worked. We didn't have a QB who could f'n execute, but when he was hitting we moved the ball.

We realized we couldn't run so used the short passing game like a running game.

We took risks like we should (flea flicker, reverse, fake punt) we just didn't execute. Coaching is a big piece of that, but so is not having the talent to compete. The lack of depth is not fully on Mac it is mostly on Champ, but fixing it is on Mac and he needs to get better st recruiting.

The reality is that we are rebuilding and it will take years before we can compete against Bama. Of course that won't happen at all if we can't get into the Top 10, which is where Mac is failing
 

oxrageous

Founding Member
It's Good to be King
Administrator
Jun 5, 2014
36,935
97,630
Founding Member
Of course that won't happen at all if we can't get into the Top 10, which is where Mac is failing
Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if we didn't make it into the top 25. I don't think we've seen the last of the recruits fleeing their commitments.
 

cover2

Founding Member
I've grown old
Lifetime Member
Jun 12, 2014
8,829
32,013
Founding Member
Part II

Many good comments and observations thus far. Not much sunshine in a beat down reminiscent of Nebraska, though I'm not confident that we'll see a similar rebound the following year ;). Not much confidence either that Mac's going to change his two-year recruiting blueprint and land a haul of elite players. I mentioned last week and have read the same observation from others that Mac's personality is probably not conducive to attracting the serious elite players. I still haven't been able to get the presser to load and watch it, but have read where Durty reports that one of his responses was "We're just glad to be here" regarding thevSECCG and the outcome. If that's so, then the message I think many, including recruits, are hearing is that we're ok with being mediocre, winning more than we lose and being the best of the worst in our conference. Mac also seems to be saying I did the best I can with the players I inherited. He talks about getting better but the product on the field when we are tested, punched in the mouth, says otherwise. My confidence in his ability to get this thing turned anytime soon eroded some more last night.

Still haven't seen the complete stats, but while watching the SEC network, I did see where we rushed for 0 yards and gave up 250-ish. We had 3 turnovers to Bama's 0. We did win the time of possession, an important stat if you are keeping your opponent out of the end zone and creating turnovers, which we did neither. Already mentioned this but Spec Teams were awful, save the PAT block and score. One thing that really pissed me off was the botched fake punt. Poorly executed, but I can't believe we call a TO just prior. Think Saban and staff weren't pounding the "Silly Rabbit" call?

At this point, if you still have hope that Mac can get it turned, we'll have an idea with the bowl game. Sounds like we'll play either of two challenging teams. If we get the same sh!tty preparation and performance as last year, it will be confirmation of what many think and probably already know. Problem is we will have to endure another season with low expectations. I have to believe the AD is preparing for the next guy and I can only hope that when he pulls the trigger, he has a good one, veteran or up and coming, on the hook and in time to pull a good class. Can you tell I've had enough of Buffalo Bob and Howdy Doody?
 

T REX

Founding Member
Well-Known Member
Jun 24, 2014
10,107
7,389
Founding Member
The fake punt after the time out was another amateur hour call.

I'm just glad I'm here at GatorChatter. I love you all.
 

playzwtrux

Founding Member
Wait,... what?
Jun 11, 2014
1,847
1,686
Founding Member
Mac said in his post game presser the he would have to talk to the kids, their parents, and their "handlers" before pulling their red shirts and playing them in the bowl. Why would college kids have handlers? When did parents start to have input about who played, or didn't play? Could you picture SOS saying that? Yeah, me neither.

Just another fact that Mac's not cut out for this job.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Help Users

You haven't joined any rooms.