Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Michigan

[T REX]

Shannon sucks! He's so overrated, it's ridiculous. Not a great recruiter, not a great coach, I don't know what he brings to the program.

That narrative has to stop now. All three coordinators are garbage. Zero reason to keep Mac on year 4. None. Nada. Zilch.

 

[Floridagator]

Line of scrimmage game. We fix that then an average QB and RB would look good. Same on D. No push and overpursuit by backers.

 

[GatorInGeorgia]

That narrative has to stop now. All three coordinators are garbage. Zero reason to keep Mac on year 4. None. Nada. Zilch.

Then why did you make a post strictly about Shannon, the one to which I replied??? Don't take my post to meab I'm letting Nuss, Mac or any other staff off the hook as I didn't take your Randy Shannon post to mean you were.

 

[T REX]

Then why did you make a post strictly about Shannon, the one to which I replied??? Don't take my post to meab I'm letting Nuss, Mac or any other staff off the hook as I didn't take your Randy Shannon post to mean you were.

I'm talking about the narrative that Shannon did a good job yesterday. He did not call a good game at all. He was abused by Harbaugh all game long.

I'm pretty sure we are in agreement.

 

[GatorInGeorgia]

I'm talking about the narrative that Shannon did a good job yesterday. He did not call a good game at all. He was abused by Harbaugh all game long.

I'm pretty sure we are in agreement.

 

[Swampergator]

Cover, you were far too nice in your breakdown.

I see no reason to believe that we will improve anytime soon. As usual, we are not even close to competing with the big boys of college football. Once again, we spent an offseason hoping for a look at something new and improved (Mac is an offensive guru... right?), yet we ended up getting our hearts crushed. I don't mind watching a game that is a loss, if the team is actually competitive, and the other team is just better than we are. But, now I am back to where I have been for the last few years: no desire to carve out 3+ hours of my day off to watch a group of UNPREPARED, UNDISCIPLINED, and OVERMATCHED kids get humiliated on a national stage. Mac should be charged with criminal fraud and neglect at this point.

The coaching sucked. Period. For me, that was a given, going into the game. I gave up on these coaches last year early in the season. Mac and his crew are not the answer, and I believe they will be fired by the end of the year.

However, I was hoping some of these young guys would have the talent to at least be able to make it competitive. Especially since Michigan was so young, as well. Wow... what I saw was pretty shocking. We were overmatched in every phase of the game, and it looked like we did not belong on the field with them for most of the game. Sherit and Franks showed a glimmer at times, but otherwise, we were just pathetic looking. And why in the hell did Franks only get 9 pass plays??? Zaire got 17...

Possibly worst of all: Michigan, a Big 10 team, had MUCH more team speed than we did. Think about that. We looked slow against them all day. And the strength difference was even greater. We looked incredibly weak. Do we have a weight program anymore, or did we do away with it to fund the indoor practice facility? I cannot remember the last time I saw a Gators team look so weak up the middle of the defense.

I am all out of hope, and out of patience. This staff and these players will continue to squeak by the bottom dwellers (I think... but would not bet on it), and will continue to be humiliated by the better teams. Same song, same verse, same $#!+

Same as I saw and felt...it was 2010; deja vu all over again...

 

[jdh5484]

The only fair assessment is that we did not belong in a game like this. We were embarrassed (again) on national television because we have one of the worst offenses in CFB. Mac should be put on notice tomorrow...either fix the offense or pack your bags.

Line of scrimmage game. We fix that then an average QB and RB would look good. Same on D. No push and overpursuit by backers.

Yeppers.

 

[EyeDocGator]

What does it say about the state of the program that reading this thread was much more enjoyable than watching the game?

 

[cover2]

What does it say about the state of the program that reading this thread was much more enjoyable than watching the game?

Doc, I'm afraid it says we might start putting up signs on both ends of Gale Lemerand that says "Maybe Next Year, Gators" as we start for home just before the third quarter ends! I jest of course, but it's feeling something like that and I'm a stay 'til the end guy both in person and while watching on the tv. Somebody said in another thread that it looks like the decade of gloom (or words to that effect) is gonna continue. I'm having a hard time seeing Mac getting it turned at this point. Truthfully, I felt pretty much like this after last season, but a little surge in recruiting gave pause to reconsider somewhat. Saturday has erased that feeling, however.

I've gone from cautiously optimistic when Mac was hired, in part because I was dead wrong about Muschamp and like everybody else wanted anybody (almost) as long as the plug was pulled on him. First year he got a pass, but I wasn't too keen on the way we closed the season. Next season about the same, only I had grown tired of Mac's routine with the press and a lack of prowess offensively, which was contrary to what he claimed and was supposedly the reason he was selected. Saturday was about it for me and as I stated in another thread, his countenance in the presser painted him as having no idea how to fix the team and full of doubt. He looked like he was done.

As for me, I'll keep watching and pulling for our Gators. But my confidence in Mac's leadership has eroded significantly. I sincerely hope that a much better plan than those we had prior to these last two hires is being prepared. I think we're gonna need it barring some sort of miracle.

 

[stephenPE]

What does it say about the state of the program that reading this thread was much more enjoyable than watching the game?

FWIW this thread has always been enjoyable win lose or draw.........hell, watching reruns of Perry Mason is better than watching yesterday's 2nd half..........

 

[soflagator]

Probably already mentioned, but to me the biggest takeaway was that recruiting rankings absolutely matter, and it was on full display Saturday, especially on defense. We can talk all day about busts, exceptions to the rule, outlier examples and feel good stories. But the fact is our inability to recruit the top flight talent in the trenches(outisde of this year's freshmen) showed. Rashan Gary lived up to his ranking. Unfortunately so did Taven Bryan and Jabari Zuniga. Both good players, both seem to be solid student athletes. But neither should be starting at the University of Florida if we're expecting to compete for titles. Just reality. By McElwain's own admission, UM was bigger, faster and stronger than us. Sure, some of that is S&C related, and these are kids that can still grow beyond high school. But generally speaking, the higher rated recruits are coveted because they're bigger, faster and stronger than the rest as far back as their Jr and Sr years. That's why you have to land those guys, instead of taking on projects that may develop into something by their 4th year.

We've talked at length about our failures in recruiting ultimately catching up with us, and it did. And while Henderson had a nice pick-6 in his first game, we shouldn't be relying on freshmen across the secondary either, as we saw with the deep pass over Davis. All because guys like Stiner, McWilliams, and Taylor aren't SEC caliber starters. McElwain loaded up on fillers and insisted that he knew what he was doing. The fact that in year 3, guys like Henderson, Wilson and Davis are on the field in the second quarter of game 1, says that he was wrong.

Also, Shannon has no concept of defending a draw play or covering a TE. When everyone in the room--none of whom have coaching background--knows that there's a high likelihood of seeing as draw play (3rd and 13), there's absolutely zero excuse for not being prepared for it. In addition to JM and Nuss looking as if they're in way over their head, Shannon's ceiling is probably more of a LB's coach, not DC. Throw in Nord, and you've got quite a staff.

 

[Gator-Don]

Line of scrimmage game. We fix that then an average QB and RB would look good. Same on D. No push and overpursuit by backers.

First they need to be taught that they can't stand around nearly flat footed and try to arm tackle a 210+ lb. RB running by them @ 30 mph.
Never seen so many whiffs by a Gator team.

 

[cover2]

Probably already mentioned, but to me the biggest takeaway was that recruiting rankings absolutely matter, and it was on full display Saturday, especially on defense. We can talk all day about busts, exceptions to the rule, outlier examples and feel good stories. But the fact is our inability to recruit the top flight talent in the trenches(outisde of this year's freshmen) showed. Rashan Gary lived up to his ranking. Unfortunately so did Taven Bryan and Jabari Zuniga. Both good players, both seem to be solid student athletes. But neither should be starting at the University of Florida if we're expecting to compete for titles. Just reality. By McElwain's own admission, UM was bigger, faster and stronger than us. Sure, some of that is S&C related, and these are kids that can still grow beyond high school. But generally speaking, the higher rated recruits are coveted because they're bigger, faster and stronger than the rest as far back as their Jr and Sr years. That's why you have to land those guys, instead of taking on projects that may develop into something by their 4th year.

We've talked at length about our failures in recruiting ultimately catching up with us, and it did. And while Henderson had a nice pick-6 in his first game, we shouldn't be relying on freshmen across the secondary either, as we saw with the deep pass over Davis. All because guys like Stiner, McWilliams, and Taylor aren't SEC caliber starters. McElwain loaded up on fillers and insisted that he knew what he was doing. The fact that in year 3, guys like Henderson, Wilson and Davis are on the field in the second quarter of game 1, says that he was wrong.

Also, Shannon has no concept of defending a draw play or covering a TE. When everyone in the room--none of whom have coaching background--knows that there's a high likelihood of seeing as draw play (3rd and 13), there's absolutely zero excuse for not being prepared for it. In addition to JM and Nuss looking as if they're in way over their head, Shannon's ceiling is probably more of a LB's coach, not DC. Throw in Nord, and you've got quite a staff.

Bull's eye, SoFl. As you state, having to rely on freshmen and guys recruited last year and the year before who are still a year or two away from their best is a poor odds gamble in the top level of college football. Like taking your last $5 when the baby needs milk and instead spending it on scratch-offs hoping for a payday. Combine this recruiting/developmental plan with the planning, prep, and play calling/execution that was on display Saturday and the result was another beat down to a ranked opponent. Not boding well as we move into the season.

 

[TaterGator]

What really sucks is because Mac won the east (even though everyone knows it doesn't mean $&%+ considering the facts) his first 2 years he will almost certainly be given the 4th.

I can't freaking believe I have to sit through 2 more years of this crap when it should be clear to everyone with eyes what is going on here.
I'm dumbfounded.

 

[p'cola gator]

You were too nice. Not prepared and no options.

First....we sux!! Second.... I think the eight suspended for credit card fraud should be commended for using entrepreneurial skills to make money.....they just got caught. As for the other 2 who were smoking dope...let them smoke!!!! If you have every FBS FOOTBALL player take a piss test right now....70 to 80 percent would test positive! So let them smoke.....if helps us win, I'm fine with it because we damn sir are not going to win with coach mac and coach miss!!!

 

[Swamp Donkey]

First....we sux!! Second.... I think the eight suspended for credit card fraud should be commended for using entrepreneurial skills to make money.....they just got caught. As for the other 2 who were smoking dope...let them smoke!!!! If you have every FBS FOOTBALL player take a piss test right now....70 to 80 percent would test positive! So let them smoke.....if helps us win, I'm fine with it because we damn sir are not going to win with coach mac and coach miss!!!

You're stoned right now, aren't you?

 

[BruceWayne]

Same as I saw and felt...it was 2010; deja vu all over again...

Your Avatar is a Georgia bulldogs fan. I'm guessing you know that though.

 

[Circle City Gator]

I can't help but wonder how much better Franks would have played if he hadn't shared snaps with Zaire and LDR right up until game time. Did his inexperience limit the game plan (and how tired are we of hearing that garbage)?

 

[Durty South Swamp]

I don't think the defense looked bad

How many 3rd and california conversions by running it right up the gut does it take for you to feel otherwise?

 

[soflagator]

I can't help but wonder how much better Franks would have played if he hadn't shared snaps with Zaire and LDR right up until game time. Did his inexperience limit the game plan (and how tired are we of hearing that garbage)?

That definitely makes zero sense, especially considering they didn't even let Zaire throw, and LDR was a complete afterthought. So why take away reps from the only guy that you have any faith in? Again, we're trying to be cute instead of having the confidence that our players are as good as the opponent's, and we don't need gimmicks. I also think the whole "let them prepare for different things" approach is really indicative of how we handle in game situations. Competent staffs actually have the ability to adjust to what the other team is doing--a thought that is apparently foreign to us. We could've announced either QB as the starter, then surprised with someone different, and it would've probably worked for 1-2 series before JH and Co adjusted. It's what football is all about.

But honestly, other than being a bit clumsy, I thought Franks played fairly well. Practice reps or not, if you have zero time to make your reads because the "strength" of the team is a complete disaster, there's not a whole lot that you can do. WR's also got very little separation, which has become the norm recently.