Are we better than last years team at this point?

Durty South Swamp

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@Durty South Swamp Kentucky is playing a WR at QB - that’s a huge reason why they look worse. Even that Troy transfer we played makes them much better. Last year, they didn’t deal with injuries to their best players. Same with Mizzou - they looked a lot better before Bryant got injured.

My opinion, to be clear, is that I don’t see a discernible difference overall between the teams. You speak to peaking last year but seem to dismiss how bad we were before the second half of the usc game. And we didn’t beat anyone of substance at the end of the season, just felt good to finally beat the noles and defenseless Michigan.
You honestly dont see a discernable difference between KY and Mizz last year and this year? Winning vs losing records, ranked vs unranked status, healthy difference makers at the qb position vs WRs taking snaps? And then want to give us credit for beating two teams with losing records this year, but dismiss beating a top 10 team in a bowl last year?

Really? Ok...
 

SeabeeGator

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You honestly dont see a discernable difference between KY and Mizz last year and this year? Winning vs losing records, ranked vs unranked status, healthy difference makers at the qb position vs WRs taking snaps?

Really? Ok...
I see two teams who aren’t as lucky with injuries and that’s a big factor in everything you listed. But it’s also irrelevant. They’re both teams we should beat, no matter which year it is. Last year, we didn’t. This year, we did. The talent didn’t change that much for either but results flipped and we weren’t fortunate like UGA to play them with WRs for QBs.

I get it, you think we’re worse this year. I don’t. Not sure we bridge that gap. But our SOS this year is just as high and our advanced stats are equivalent. Big difference I see is that we cleaned up against the teams we should beat.
 

Durty South Swamp

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I see two teams who aren’t as lucky with injuries and that’s a big factor in everything you listed. But it’s also irrelevant. They’re both teams we should beat, no matter which year it is. Last year, we didn’t. This year, we did. The talent didn’t change that much for either but results flipped and we weren’t fortunate like UGA to play them with WRs for QBs.

I get it, you think we’re worse this year. I don’t. Not sure we bridge that gap. But our SOS this year is just as high and our advanced stats are equivalent. Big difference I see is that we cleaned up against the teams we should beat.
were you cool with 4-8? i mean we were the most injured team in all of CFB. i read an article after the season stating that we were possibly more injured by seasons end than any other team in major football history.

you are what your record says you are. mz and ky are losing teams. i dont know what else to tell you.
 

SeabeeGator

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were you cool with 4-8? i mean we were the most injured team in all of CFB. i read an article after the season stating that we were possibly more injured by seasons end than any other team in major football history.

you are what your record says you are. mz and ky are losing teams. i dont know what else to tell you.
Nope but we weren’t as bad at the beginning of the season as we were at the end. Same with Kentucky and Mizzou.

And if we are what our record says, then you can’t be too upset. 9-2 with a good shot at 10-2 isn’t bad by any standard. Not great but definitely preferable to what we’ve witnessed recently. And I guess that kind of kills your point, too - if we are what our record says, it was better than last year, and context (apparently) isn’t important, guess its fair to say we’ve improved this year.
 

gatorev12

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A lot of the main points have been covered, but the one wrinkle is that we didn't really emerge as a solid run team until the South Carolina game last year (coincidentally when Franks awakened to the idea that he can run the ball effectively), when we ripped off 360+ yards and came back to win. We struggled to run the ball against Kentucky, MissState, and UGAy...even with a much better line and better rushing QB.

My one main concern going into this year was whether our offensive improvement in the back half of the 2018 season was due to it being the weaker part of our schedule and also not facing Michigan at their best. It's kinda impossible to state definitively or not...but I tend to think we had an answer to that question @Kentucky this year. They were a much worse team than they were last year--and yet, we were being dominated until Trask came in.

I think we'd have at least 1-2 more losses with Franks as our QB bc our OL is truly that horrible and Franks is not the best decision-maker with the football or consistent enough to overcome that.
 

bayou gator

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A few comments have been made about the 2006 team, and I think it's appropriate, considering Trask and Leak are/were pro style QBs. That team was a discombobulated mess until Urban broke down crying, and pretty much forced Dan to make a change. And even then, it's not like we became a well-oiled machine after that. Our offense really didn't seem to find itself until the SEC and National title games. It looked wretched at times leading up to those games, and was a big reason why so many people thought we didn't deserve a chance to play against their darling bucknuts.

However, a HUGE difference from that year and now (and what also appears to be our very near future) was that 2006 team had one of the greatest defenses we've ever seen. This year's defense... not so much. That '06 D was stacked, with studs that were nasty as hell. And even though our offense had become Frankenstein's monster, it was able to do whatever it wanted in that title game because the OSUx offense couldn't do jack sh*t against our defense. We don't have the luxury of a D like then to protect our current anemic offense. I'm not sure how long Dan can go around here without meeting expectations if he can't recruit better, and he must find a way to do a better job of putting players in a position to make plays. That's gotta start with our red zone offense. It's like watching a horrific tragedy most of the time.

The template for our success is there (2006). We've all seen it. He just has to design and call better plays, and coach our guys to execute. He can't keep calling plays as if Tebow or Dak is in the huddle and expect Trask, or even EJ, to have much success. Hell, he needs to remember that he didn't win sh*t with Dak, and even the mighty Tebow needed a competent OL, and Percy and Hernandez to move the ball with Dan's high school playbook.
 

Durty South Swamp

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Nope but we weren’t as bad at the beginning of the season as we were at the end. Same with Kentucky and Mizzou.

And if we are what our record says, then you can’t be too upset. 9-2 with a good shot at 10-2 isn’t bad by any standard. Not great but definitely preferable to what we’ve witnessed recently. And I guess that kind of kills your point, too - if we are what our record says, it was better than last year, and context (apparently) isn’t important, guess its fair to say we’ve improved this year.
lol nice try, ill give you that. but once again, your record is a reflection of what you did against other teams in that year, and that year only. our record this year, despite looking to be one win better, doesnt mean that we actually have a 1 game better team than last year, although most default to that line of thinking. I never said we were bad, not this year or last. I said I think we were better last year because we were balanced and more complete. We didnt have glaring deficiencies like we do this year - run game, Oline, cant get off on 3rd down to save our lives against good opponents. We didnt have those issues last year.

I do enjoy the continuous debate though, thanks for playing :thumbup:
 

deuce

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Like every thread, this one devolves back to Pumper vs. Dumper.

People post their opinions as if they are unassailable fact and anyone who dares disagree is ridiculed. I don't mind the ridicule because this ins't real life. It's obvious that some of you know a lot about football and make solid observations but some are experts only because you play Fantasy Football. I enjoy you all.

With that said, I am a solid Pumper so I think we are a better team this year. Admittedly we have sever shortcomings with run blocking, poor tackling and coverage skills but the unexpected play of Trask is enough to make up for those problems against everyone except Top 5 teams.

Thinking back to preseason post, non of our problems are unexpected, even DM's stubbornness was addressed, but the fact that Chatters recognize the potential problems mean's nothing in the Big Picture. Even the pre-season poll on our record had most people picking 3/4 losses......... We haven't got the 10th win yet but it's certainly a strong possibility. If we do go 10-2, all you Dumpers can take a dive.......:flush:


Love you misfits :grouphug:
 

SeabeeGator

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lol nice try, ill give you that. but once again, your record is a reflection of what you did against other teams in that year, and that year only. our record this year, despite looking to be one win better, doesnt mean that we actually have a 1 game better team than last year, although most default to that line of thinking. I never said we were bad, not this year or last. I said I think we were better last year because we were balanced and more complete. We didnt have glaring deficiencies like we do this year - run game, Oline, cant get off on 3rd down to save our lives against good opponents. We didnt have those issues last year.

I do enjoy the continuous debate though, thanks for playing :thumbup:
It’s all in fun.

Consider this: we didn’t get blown out this year, though. Happened twice last year. Not claiming moral victories but our offense allows us to be in every game - not true last year.
 

Egor's Assistant

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Like every thread, this one devolves back to Pumper vs. Dumper.

People post their opinions as if they are unassailable fact and anyone who dares disagree is ridiculed. I don't mind the ridicule because this ins't real life. It's obvious that some of you know a lot about football and make solid observations but some are experts only because you play Fantasy Football. I enjoy you all.


Thinking back to preseason post, non of our problems are unexpected, even DM's stubbornness was addressed, but the fact that Chatters recognize the potential problems mean's nothing in the Big Picture. Even the pre-season poll on our record had most people picking 3/4 losses......... We haven't got the 10th win yet but it's certainly a strong possibility. If we do go 10-2, all you Dumpers can take a dive.......:flush:


Love you misfits :grouphug:
It's really all about the realists. If we have a good year, exceeding expectations, then the pumpers were the realists. If we have a sh!t year, then the dumpers were the realists.

"Told you we sucked ass, idiot pumper."

This second year under Dan has clearly exceeded expectations as voiced by this board of pompous prognosticators in the preseason predictions thread. Congratulations Gators and Gator pumpers everywhere. Will the real Realists please stand up!
 

oxrageous

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It's really all about the realists. If we have a good year, exceeding expectations, then the pumpers were the realists. If we have a sh!t year, then the dumpers were the realists.

"Told you we sucked ass, idiot pumper."

This second year under Dan has clearly exceeded expectations as voiced by this board of pompous prognosticators in the preseason predictions thread. Congratulations Gators and Gator pumpers everywhere. Will the real Realists please stand up!
What should be the expectation in year 3? Be specific, as it will be held against you later.
 

Egor's Assistant

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What should be the expectation in year 3? Be specific, as it will be held against you later.
If you're holding me to my predictions with feet to the fire, then I'd have to think it over.
Would need to know:
1.) 2020 Schedule.
2.) 2020 Roster.
3.) Including Eligible 2020 Recruiting class.
4.) Post Spring Game Roster.
5.) Coaching Staff changes.
6.) Concessions Menu.
 

Egor's Assistant

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What should be the expectation in year 3? Be specific, as it will be held against you later.
I'm sure you await my predictions with bated breath. For fair turnaround, what did you predict for this year? And how did it turn out compared to your predictions?

Trask was a fun surprise. But we didn't win any championships. Might be an excellent finish though by bashing some clowns and then beating some brand name on New Year's Day. Please let it be Notre Dame.
 

oxrageous

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I'm sure you await my predictions with bated breath. For fair turnaround, what did you predict for this year? And how did it turn out compared to your predictions?

Trask was a fun surprise. But we didn't win any championships. Might be an excellent finish though by bashing some clowns and then beating some brand name on New Year's Day. Please let it be Notre Dame.
Pretty sure it was 10 wins. I always expect at least 10 wins.

Sometimes you get beat by better teams, it happens. It's when I see piss-poor coaching in the big games that is avoidable that gets me pissed off.

For me personally, any season UF doesn't win at least the SEC is a failure. I don't care about the bowl games.
 

MissouriGator

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We are LIGHT YEARS ahead at the QB position with Trask--a QB that actually plays the position the way it's meant to be played.
The O-line has suffered and that goes way back to lack of recruiting on both the Chimp and Butters regimes.
We lack depth, talent, and experience on D line, LB, and safety, and that really hurt us imo.
The bottom line is that we MUST recruit better at those positions; it is going to take time and possibly some coaching changes.
But I think we are a better overall team than last year--mostly because we're more experienced and understand who we are.
That ugly game still bothers me--as it should--but they were the better team that day as a whole.
I hope we can get the recruiting fixed, because I doubt we're having this conversation if recruiting wasn't an ongoing issue.
 

rogdochar

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I'm in the camp that we're definitely better this year

The "better" that I accept is how rare & tremendous it is for usUF to be so relaxed and confident that "them" haven't a chance at stopping our passing attack. Pass play after pass play bingo! That is such a welcome Gator development, for me this 2019 is the better one even though our run attack is atrocious.
 

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