Definitely not meh when you factor in the rushing numbers. 144 rushing yards for a QB has to be close to a Gator record. I don’t remember what Tebow’s best single game rushing was but I don’t recall any 150 plus yard games. Then again I can barely remember what I had for breakfast (cheese grits and eggs with side of a leftover cheeseburger and sliced tomatoes).
What happens with EJ is pivotal to how the rest of Dan’s tenure will go. He’s gone the route of loyalty to this kid’s patience. AR already boasts the higher ceiling. But the run game is strong right now and not just because of one person, and Dan is starting to figure out what he can get from EJ as a passer. AR is the future, but our defense isn’t ready to contend just yet, and pulling the rug out from a loyal upperclassman QB who hasn’t provided enough bad looks to justify benching him makes Dan look like Kirby.
I can’t explain Dan’s initial attachment to Franks, but EJ brings the run game to his QB play in a way Franks never did and others have pointed out that Dan was going to start Trask on a couple occasions when Kyle got unluckily injured before he could. EJ is tough to watch in the passing game at times, but he did show improvement today and we haven’t lost because of him yet.
AR can take it to another level no doubt, but Dan has dug in his heels and decided not to be as fickle as Kirby and his musical chairs and whispered promises at QB. It’s blown up in Smart’s face at UGA and Mullen wants a deep roster at QB without people up and transferring. I guess he figured the best way to avoid that problem is lay the ground rules and make guys wait their chance to step up after injury or in the off/pre season.
If EJ flourishes, and we work out the defense, we’re looking at a good run over the next three years as we transition to AR. If EJ flatlines and Todd stays Todd, then Dan will be the dude who wasted AR and what could have been. He already carries that burden from 2020 for keeping the slob as DC and wasting a world class offense. This situation is his chance to turn it around or seal his fate and he’s already decided how he’s going to approach it.
Of course 3rd/4th and Grantham can blow this all up by his big sloppy self. DBU is a fading memory.