- Jun 12, 2014
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The malaise that is Gator Football under Dan Mullen continued today with a convincing beating in Jacksonville at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs 34-7. Actually, malaise is probably not a strong enough descriptor. Maybe it should read “The flesh-eating bacteria that is Gator Football under Dan Mullen…” Too extreme? Maybe, but that’s pretty much what it feels like from the final four games of last season through now. I can only imagine what it must require of the players to show up and practice each week.
I should apologize for my absence two weeks ago. Fall Break and a family vacation into North Carolina found me on the road during the game with only my son’s play-by-play from the stream to keep me updated. I’m glad I didn’t watch. Never thought I’d say that, but there…I said it! That’s about what I’m reduced to. I feel like their are others, perhaps many, who are like-minded.
Today felt like what I imagine rock bottom to be. We are so far removed from 2008, SOS, and the glory days of Gator football. For the first time I can remember, the emphasis of a Gator game became not to win, but to see if we could just score and preserve a record for the longest span of not being shut out. Pathetic.
I selected a photo of Mullen in MissSt attire as a bit of a zing. Ironically, it was from a SDS article forecasting that he wouldn’t make it more than two seasons at UF. He’s still here, but two seasons was about as good as he had to offer. That he went so long without playing Trask, then seeing how remarkably good he was only to sabotage the season last year after eight games was the sign. Actually two signs: 1) We frigged up hiring him; 2) We would frig up keeping him.
As hard as it is to say, Mullen was beaten by a better coach today and you don’t have to look any further than a recruiting comparison. Smart will tell you (and I believe this is quoted somewhere) that “out-coaching” is overrated. You’ll win most of your games when you have better players…and more of them. It would be hard to argue that point this year. Mullen was in a close position last year, that is until he “Danned it up” against LSU in ‘20.
*Our pk game has gone from sugar to shti in a big hurry. Not only can we not make a FG, but our short KO’s are easily returned beyond the touchback yardage. Lack of talent is a problem, but worse might be the lack of attention to this problem by the staff.
*The recruiting discrepancies mentioned earlier were on full display. When we are down the pack a ways in our conference and behind in-state rivals in terms of recruiting efficiency, a game like this was bound to happen. Relying on the portal and perceived “out-coaching” ability makes you a McElwain doppelgänger, not necessarily a winner.
*Poor tackling, OL procedure penalties, and roughly a minute and a half before the end of the second quarter was too much to bear. Those consecutive plays for TDs along with the turnovers was the worst feeling I’ve had during a stretch of football in a very long time.
*I have no reason not to believe that AR won’t be a really good QB before all is said and done. I believe it’s going to take better coaching. I’m hoping that he will have better here at UF and not at another school somewhere.
*Torrence was a bright spot with two picks and a fumble recovery. He was generally in good position with the exception of the TD pass given up. Danielson pointed out how flat footed he was and slow to sink and flip. Poor technique has to be addressed, corrected, and repped. That was thought to be a problem with English. Hopefully it is on the way out ;)
*Sick of the “keep everybody happy” RB rotation. Give the guy that can get you the tough yards more carries!
I listened to some of the postgame on the way to the lake place after the game was over. Lee kind of ended things by saying the players still have a lot to play for. 8-4 and a bowl game are in play as well as beating FSU and maintaining some of the Gator pride. He’s right, but it’s a helluva note that it’s almost November and that’s what the season is reduced to. ****ttter’s full, overflowing at this point, and somebody’s tracked it all over the house. It ain’t the players! Go Gators!
(ready to be in the hunt again…)