Bits & Pieces: Florida vs. Michigan

RocketCityGator

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Maybe not among our greatest of seasons, but certainly one to be remembered. As mentioned, anticipation for what's ahead has got to be higher than what we have been expecting. Hearing the fans loudly chant "It's great...to be...a Florida Gator" as the awards were presented post game made me think of where we were and that it might not be only relegated to history any longer. A lot to be done still, but it's good to expect better than dreading the worst! Have a great off season and Go Gators!

:chomp:

Thanks C2. I was at the game. The environment was awesome. Both the team and the fans were into it. It's been a while since I had this much optimism for our program.
 

Bayougator

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This is fan-frickin-tastic!!!
 

cover2

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My Take

The double pass had an open TE running free.

The O-Line got eaten up. Franks had little time and this makes me think that Emory will have a chance next year because he adds that element to help the O-Line.

Thanks, Cover. I'm not a big gadget play guy, but when they are run I like to see them when I least expect it. I'll give him points for checking that box. When I saw what was happening I got really excited until the duck that got thrown back. Had the pass been accurate it was going to be "Katy bar the door" for the fellas in the wrong shade of blue, because they were apparently as surprised as we were it was happening.

A long way to go for sure, but not so far perhaps as I expected.
When I saw the "duck," I believed that this wasn't the time nor that the play for this juncture in the game. As far as the timing, we had the game headed toward a happy finish for the good guys. Keep your foot on the pedal, but do so with what was working. No real need for the trickeration IMHO. Where execution is concerned, the results make me think it was not a lead pipe cinch. If you run them, they better have the outcome you want. That was a one read play, receiver back to QB behind the convoy. Any throw with a hump gives the D a chance to catch up. But as it stands, it didn't hurt so all is well. Just my personal opinion on gimmicks.

OL wasn't great by any means, but then they really haven't been for a while. Better in the second.

My mom used the phrase "Katie bar the door" to let me know if I f'd up either by commission or omission, my @ss was grass! Took me back to my childhood!
 

5-Star Finger

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My mom used the phrase "Katie bar the door" to let me know if I f'd up either by commission or omission, my @ss was grass! Took me back to my childhood!

I'm not sure if yours was Irish, but mine was - and from the south side of Chicago to boot. Her other famous quote was "you may grow past my head, but you'll never grow past my hand." She was true to her word.
 

gatormandan

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While I agree about the "trick" play, I am glad we didn't have to try it due to desperation. Nothing wrong with practicing the play when we didn't need it. Just glad it didn't backfire.
 

GatorStud

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It's Great to be a Florida Gator... we're a TEAM with some want to once again, thanks DM.
 

Durty South Swamp

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41-15 Peach Bowl victory over favored Michigan! Last year at this time, we were all sitting in the seat occupied by F$U this year, fresh off a 4-8 collapse engineered by famed offensive mind Captain Jim McElwain who staged his own death (so to speak) and left First Mate Randy Shannon to guide the SS Foley to the college football equivalent of Davy Jones' locker. Then came the hire of the less than ballyhooed Dan Mullen to raise the good ship and to meet expectations to not just raise the good ship, but to guide it to the forefront of the conference and perhaps all of college football at a speed likely faster than his inherited crew was capable. Yet here we find our ship closer to the CFB flagship than probably imagined. Instead of the garbage scow we'd become, we at least look like a sturdy destroyer if not a cruiser (not quite a battleship...yet). Pretty good finish after getting torpedoed by three Eastern Division foes and being led into battle by a QB who at one point looked more like Captain Bly than John Paul Jones!

Alright, enough naval references (you've got to forgive me as I watched In Harms Way a few nights back and it was still fresh on my mind - hey, the Duke was in it). But I think most get the picture. We've made a statement this season under Mullen that we're on the rise...not quite "there" just yet, but pointed in the right direction. We made it to a good bowl for the first time in a while, won it and in doing so beat a nemesis of sorts. And I'd be remiss not to remind you that we defeated the Nole$ and broke a five game losing streak (so what if they were coached by Taggert :nole:). The good created, while not yet great, gives hope and high expectations. The offseason has to be better than the last several and it's good to feel some of the confidence that once shown in Gator football make a return. Now, for our date with the Wolverines in ATL...

*A tale of two halves. Though we didn't play terribly early on, we experienced some problems with UM's defense and failed to take advantage of a couple of TD opportunities in the red zone. Franks was looking more like his earlier version that couldn't connect on the long passes and who had no peripheral vision when flushed. We also seemed to be having our problems defensively both containing their ground game and generating consistent pressure on the QB, thanks mostly to the Wolverine OL. And we had a punt blocked! However, things changed in the second half. Michigan fans might tell you that not having their guys that are going pro (antiquated term) was the difference. I believe it was more a matter of Franks settling down and playing like he has lately and our RB's finding their groove (with a little help from the OL). The D got their second wind while UM looked to be spent (or disinterested somewhat) and suddenly our speed and tenacity overcame their strength and reputation. Mullen also deserves some credit for his game plan, adjustments, and setting an example of keeping your cool. All things that have been in short supply for some time.

*If I have a criticism of Coah Mullen, it would be for the double pass called. Certainly it might have been a big play if better executed, but the timing of it made me go

:what2:

Fortunately it didn't cost us. Otherwise, I thought what he and the staff put together was pretty good.

*Looks like a great swan song for Chauncey, Scarlett, and Perine, should all decide to test the waters of the draft. All have made great strides this year. Especially proud of how far Chauncey has come. When he first got on the field here at UF, he was soft as chewed bubble gum where tackling was concerned. He improved that aspect of his game and added leadership to his resume. Good luck! I'm also sure we'll lose Polite and a couple more on the D side, so the rebuild will continue to a certain degree. I heard Vosean was contemplating entering the draft. He could certainly benefit from another year of coaching.

*Michigan's OL wasn't too bad. Big and with a lot of mobility. Hopefully we'll sort of resemble that prototype in a year or so. I thought our OL guys were obviously better in the second half. Even though our rush total was pretty good, I was looking for more misdirection (counters, etc.) as we seem to be more consistent blocking on the move parallel to the LOS than moving laterally in the zone concept. Evidently, we were good enough along with the RBs and Franks (to a degree) running like champions. Looked like this one meant a lot to the big guys and to all the Gators on this day.

*Tunnel screen and slants were open with UM's coverage schemes. Good to see us take advantage. Also good to see our receivers getting behind their DBs when coverage tightened, even if we didn't do a great job of getting it to them.

*A lot of key moments in the game, but I thought not allowing them to score a TD right before the half preserved a psychological advantage for us.

*Looks like the Gator fans showed up. Thanks to all the Chatter members in attendance. All of you made a difference!

Maybe not among our greatest of seasons, but certainly one to be remembered. As mentioned, anticipation for what's ahead has got to be higher than what we have been expecting. Hearing the fans loudly chant "It's great...to be...a Florida Gator" as the awards were presented post game made me think of where we were and that it might not be only relegated to history any longer. A lot to be done still, but it's good to expect better than dreading the worst! Have a great off season and Go Gators!

:chomp:
like whore ;)
 

lizardbreath

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That was a helluva last game for Gardner-Johnson. He displayed all his many skills for future employers: tackling, toughness, hi football IQ, speed, leadership. Great job, CGJ and good luck!!

Nice to get the FSU and Michigan monkeys off the Gators' back in consecutive games...and in convincing fashion no less. Hope recruits take note.

Despite being a submariner I'll refrain from maritime references.
Time to scuttle the poop deck pappy bilge?
 

TN G8tr

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Cover, you never fail to meet the expectations of the GCMB. Well done as always. There's so much that could be said, but you have Covered (no pun intended, well maybe) it precisely. The analysis you have given has been something I've looked forward to after every game. But to sum it all up, YES this ship is headed in the right direction. Mullen has everything he needs now, FSUck/scUM down, momentum, and relevance. Time for him to take the next step. He may be the guy that can get it done. Again, thanks for your posts and already excited about next year.
 

BNAG8R

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I’m never going to fricking catch cover2 in the likes/posts ratio.

:trux:
 

NVAGATOR86

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Cover, dittos on the great job. This was a solid team win and unlike last year our linemen did not look like boys going against men. You could see the results of the Savage conditioning. Plus I believe that our speed and pure athleticism surprised the Michiganders. The real difference to me is Mullen's play calling and how well we make in game and halftime adjustments. Adjustment was a word that never entered the vocabulary of our previous two coaches.
Even without 2 of their best ballers Michigan's defense is very good. Even though they pressured Frank's through out the game ,their aggressive play gave us some huge plays on the ground. Especially loved Perines TD run in the pass look set. We didn't run many draw plays in that formation this year and I am sure Brown and UM were expecting Felipe to throw. Somewhere the HBC and Fred Taylor were smiling. In watching Bama and the Dawgs we still have a way to go. But while we haven't yet completely turned the corner we are peeking around the edge.

Great win and a very enjoyable season.
 

78

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I’m never going to fricking catch cover2 in the likes/posts ratio.

:trux:
If it's any consolation, you have no chance of catching me in the dislikes ratio either.
 

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