Captain's Cogitations - Florida State

Well we've finally moved past the lost decade against FSU. There's no reason it should have been this long between home wins against those assh*les, but after taking a few wrong turns, we're back on the right path.

I was so happy to see us come out and stomp on their throats from the get go. As we all know, we've had far too many games where we kinda piddled around for half the game before pulling away down the stretch. And while the end result is still the same if we're winning, I still like to see us put some points up right off the bat and remove all doubt before halftime. Even after FSU's initial TD drive where they threw the entire Coach Cline green playbook at us, it was obvious they were in WAY over their heads if they wanted to keep the game even remotely close. When you think about where we were as a program just two years ago, right up until the day before Mullen was hired, and we dicked around in this game and got waxed for the umpteenth time in a row, the turn around has been remarkable. We've gone from being barely competitive with a rival that was having a VERY down year, to running them off the field and embarrassing them in back to back years, all in a span of just over two calendar years.

I really can't say enough about Kyle Trask and what he did for us this season. I thought teams were going to adjust to him after a few games and it was going to be rough sledding after that, but he never flinched and continued to improve every single week. A lot of credit needs to go to Mullen, as well, for making sure he was prepared and ready to go when Franks went down. Last night might have been his best game as a Gator so far. He didn't take a sack for the first time this season, he hit a couple checkdowns to keep the chains moving (and for a TD to Swain when FSU didn't bite on the fake screen), and he didn't make a single bad decision that I can recall. This kid was a godsend this year, and I can't wait to see how he performs next year.

It was great to see the senior wide receivers all kinda get their own moments last night, as well. Every one of them has each had their own individual big games and big moments both this season and throughout their careers, and they all contributed in big ways last night. I just wish Cleveland could have scored on that last tunnel screen they called for him, but someone whiffed BADLY on a block. Oh well, he'll always have the 98 yarder and the Heave.

Defensively, what can you say about the way they played at home this year? Even though we had a lot of easier opponents at home, three shutouts and only 33 points given up in six games is NOT easy. FSU kinda got some cheap ones with that busted coverage on the first drive and Akers slipping away on the last TD, but it's hard to complain about 8 sacks and only 13 first downs given up. Here's hoping they continue to get better away from home next year and we can clean up 3rd down in some of the bigger games.

I also can't say enough about Jonathan Greenard and what he did this year. I would think it's unheard of that a guy coming off a serious injury to join an SEC team for one year would become an absolute wrecking ball like he did. Hopefully he gets the All-SEC recognition he deserves, as well as an NFL roster spot, because he's earned it. I wish we could clone him and give the clones four years of eligibility.

So that's that. I said before the season I thought 10-2 was a very realistic goal for this team, and while it's bittersweet knowing a handful of plays were all that stood between us and 12-0, we're getting there. We need to see this on-field success get followed up by recruiting success, but we're on the cusp of something great here again. And again, it can't be stated enough how different things are now compared to the day before Mullen got hired. He deserves every bit of credit thrown his way for grabbing the wheel of the ship and yanking that son of a b*tch around 180 degrees back the other way. It's not easy to do in college football, but he did it. We still have that next step to take, but I couldn't be more confident that we'll take it.

Go Gators, and everyone keep your fingers crossed for an Orange Bowl bid!

 

"Wait till next year" is reserved for 129/130 teams every season, it is what it is. Just have to learn from your mistakes and improve next season. We did that from last year to this year, gonna have to keep doing it in the following years.