- Oct 5, 2017
- 2,315
- 6,299
A little late and I didn't realize Cover had been back in until I was scrolling through the game thread while out with the wife. Glad to hear he is out, but the comment about him pulling the plug after the game had me laughing loudly...my wife didn't find the comment as amusing. LOL.
Despite what many may think because of me on X (easy to use while out) saying things to nonsensical excuses I am not as bothered by the loss to Arkansas as most. This weekend I had a 5 year reunion with UF Law and ended up my two best friends from law school needed tickets so they ended up sitting with me. One is loyal to his FSU undergrad and one supports UF and last time I saw him was randomly running into him in Death Valley in 2021 (maybe I should stop seeing him at games). I tell you that to also say they know what a big fan I am and have known for 8 years. When Arkansas scored, they both asked me why I didn't seem upset.
Here's my explanation, I saw this loss possibly coming months ago. Granted, in some ways for different reasons, but I was serious when I have said on the podcast and I wrote here that:
"The Gators are 5-5 the week after UGA in the last 10. They are 1-1 against Arky in such match ups. The win was 2020 in Sam Pittman’s first year with Feleipe Franks as the Hogs QB. This year, the Hogs return the SEC’s best returning QB/RB duo in KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders. Last year the Hogs were the 2nd best rushing attack in the SEC and have a bye week before the Gators while the Gators get a physical match up with UGA the week before. It may come down to Florida Offense vs. Arky’s defense. A game the Gators should win, but it is also in trap game territory coming between UGA and LSU. Those are the reasons why this game is a toss-up. Decent chance at a win, but I can’t say a sure win."
Although I didn't write a game preview, I did say talk on the podcast (and had tweeted mid-October) about the Bama, LSU and Ole Miss losses being 13 points combined. I talked about how Rocket Sanders was finally coming back healthy. I talked about how a Briles disciple simplifying the playbook and calling plays could help lean into KJ Jefferson's strengths in ways Enos didn't do. I knew that Arky was a dangerous team in a dangerous spot for us.
That said, I'm not happy looking down a losing season, but as I told my friends, told people who texted me giving up on Napier, as I told my mom, brother, Donk, and others (and don't mind taking flack for), I said before the season 7 wins was my bar for the year. That is still possible, though very improbable. Say what you will about me being too positive, too negative, or whatever you think, but I value having integrity more than most things. Until that # is impossible, whether via not being bowl eligible or making a bowl at 6-6 and losing, I'm riding that bar to the end of the line. I'm not one of the many I saw saying things like "8 wins minimum" on X in response to the Vegas 5.5 over/under and now act like asking to be bowl eligible is being a spoiled/entitled fan.
The offense is what it is. We threw 23 of 26 passes less than 10 yards and 11 of those behind the line of scrimmage. Several of those on 3rd down. Anyone fighting the Captain Checkdown moniker is not familiar with the facts. Luckily, a few times, like with ETN on the last TD drive, we had guys make moves and get plenty of yards. How Etienne and Johnson continue to get equal touches baffles me. I know, many people are going to point to Etienne's bad game against UGA and say "pass blocking". Guess who graded better against Arkansas with a 79.7 pass block rating. One guy can be solid and one guy can turn any touch into a big gainer. That is not to belittle one, it is a comment about optimal play and putting the most dangerous players on the field. Also, we saw the Zoolander effect again, just 3 throws outside of the numbers to the left while having 10 to the right.
I could talk about the OL and its problems, but I'll address one play that George was getting killed for from what I saw on X. We threw a 3rd down screen to Johnson and I heard how it was his fault for not blocking. I have had critiques for George and others all year. I think that was off base. When a DB stays outside to maintain an edge, the RB takes his route wide of his blocker and the ball is thrown outside of the blocker, I can't blame the blocker. In no world is George beating Johnson laterally. I have to blame design (and another decision to throw short of the sticks on 3rd down yet again.
It is worth noting the Arkansas D was 32nd in the nation coming into the game despite facing quality offenses like LSU and Ole Miss on the road. Again, I expect us to have issues. However, we did a great job fighting back. My brother got mad when I laughed at him saying he hoped we kept the aggression up after tying the game. We didn't, we only got aggressive when we got down or into put up or shut up time...until OT, but that's a different story.
On defense, yes, we had guys out, and yes, I saw this offense being better than they were, but we did make an offense that was 120th in the nation before the game look like a top SEC offense. The ironic thing I see is when people say that's what the bye week did for them (that part is true), but say we couldn't have done better last week coming off of a bye. X is a wild place.
Anyways, M. Mitchell and Marshall each probably had their most solid games this season. Marshall allowed only 2 yards. Mitchell should've had a pick, but since Arky didn't score on the drive (I think it was on 3rd down), I wasn't as upset. Castell continues to grow, probably the best part of this season, lead the team with 11 tackles (though having a safety lead in tackles is questionable sometimes) and got a big interception on a 3rd down on a good read of the play. There are interceptions that happen where the safety doesn't do much (see our late INT against Auburn in 2019) and then there is making a play on the ball like what happened there.
The run defense wasn't great giving up over 200 yards, but a lot of that was late after the D was tired and Pyburn was out (31 yards in OT alone). That needs to be better next year as does everything else. I still have no idea how we shut down UT in the first half like we did. The best explanation I have is the Swamp's impact and UT still figuring out who they were early in the season.
Could I rip a lot of this defense up and down? Could I rip us taking a 5th year SR linebacker who has contributed as little as I feared he would instead of being quality depth in case of injury like we have? Yes and Yes. All sorts of things I could rip, but isn't worth it.
We had a FG safe unit with 10 guys (there's a pic on X), we had a poor snap that arguably cost us the game on an XP (I'm not going to blame any one play) like 2017 A&M, and we missed a game winning FG as regulation expired after one of the most ridiculous things you'll ever see and somehow we were lucky the clock hadn't restarted as it should after a first down (and that by some dark magic in the rulebook the fact the clock would begin running before a whistle doesn't allow for a runoff). Some people, maybe here to, believe you can't relieve someone of duties in season because you can't hire in season. Let me introduce you to a new term you haven't heard of interim. The longer Couch is publicly part of this staff, the more of a problem I will have.
I've seen that if we make the kick, we are having a different discussion. I think that ignores a holistic view of where the program is and the issues. I saw some spiking the football after beating a 2 win Carolina. I stand by that game was the best called we've seen from this staff. However, the win had people ignoring symptoms they wouldn't had Boardingham not made a guy miss 10 yards from the line of gain and Etienne made a key block to get that first down and had we not hit Pearsall with 47 seconds left. The missed kick made people see things that had been there all along. If you're basing your attitude on whether one kick went in or not, that's a problem. That's not to say we shouldn't have won this game or that missing that kick sucked. That's saying that if you are saying there are issues and you wouldn't be seeing the same thing had we just missed the FG, that's on you. The issues have been apparent beyond results. Don't get me wrong, results matter. Playing with bigger margin of error matters. However, all that should not come down to a kick whether it's this FG or an official kicking a ball against UT allowing UF to make a quick sub (albeit a gamble) to stop UT's momentum on a 4th down.
The thing that bothered me the most on Saturday was the post game. Deet has a good review in the game thread (its the game thread...right?) of his takeaways and I agree with him. I will add, his defensive response asking De La Torre for examples regarding the ST play 100% reminds me of "Do you know what a midline is", "death threats", and "recruiting season" responses from former coaches. More than anything this weekend, that is what gives me pause.
I'm not on the fire train. I'm for the 3rd season, but the metrics don't change for year 3 because the facts are the facts and I'll stick by them until I see examples otherwise. It may be a waste and nothing other than getting in a good class and some game experience for young guys, but a third season is the train I'm on losing season or not. Changes must be made swiftly and publicly after the end of the regular season (at least announced).
Still some things to play for, a bowl and possible spoiler to FSU's season. A chance at revenge against LSU after 4 straight losses to the Tigers. And a chance to get a good win in CoMo. It's really put up or shut up time.
Go Gators!
Despite what many may think because of me on X (easy to use while out) saying things to nonsensical excuses I am not as bothered by the loss to Arkansas as most. This weekend I had a 5 year reunion with UF Law and ended up my two best friends from law school needed tickets so they ended up sitting with me. One is loyal to his FSU undergrad and one supports UF and last time I saw him was randomly running into him in Death Valley in 2021 (maybe I should stop seeing him at games). I tell you that to also say they know what a big fan I am and have known for 8 years. When Arkansas scored, they both asked me why I didn't seem upset.
Here's my explanation, I saw this loss possibly coming months ago. Granted, in some ways for different reasons, but I was serious when I have said on the podcast and I wrote here that:
"The Gators are 5-5 the week after UGA in the last 10. They are 1-1 against Arky in such match ups. The win was 2020 in Sam Pittman’s first year with Feleipe Franks as the Hogs QB. This year, the Hogs return the SEC’s best returning QB/RB duo in KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders. Last year the Hogs were the 2nd best rushing attack in the SEC and have a bye week before the Gators while the Gators get a physical match up with UGA the week before. It may come down to Florida Offense vs. Arky’s defense. A game the Gators should win, but it is also in trap game territory coming between UGA and LSU. Those are the reasons why this game is a toss-up. Decent chance at a win, but I can’t say a sure win."
Although I didn't write a game preview, I did say talk on the podcast (and had tweeted mid-October) about the Bama, LSU and Ole Miss losses being 13 points combined. I talked about how Rocket Sanders was finally coming back healthy. I talked about how a Briles disciple simplifying the playbook and calling plays could help lean into KJ Jefferson's strengths in ways Enos didn't do. I knew that Arky was a dangerous team in a dangerous spot for us.
That said, I'm not happy looking down a losing season, but as I told my friends, told people who texted me giving up on Napier, as I told my mom, brother, Donk, and others (and don't mind taking flack for), I said before the season 7 wins was my bar for the year. That is still possible, though very improbable. Say what you will about me being too positive, too negative, or whatever you think, but I value having integrity more than most things. Until that # is impossible, whether via not being bowl eligible or making a bowl at 6-6 and losing, I'm riding that bar to the end of the line. I'm not one of the many I saw saying things like "8 wins minimum" on X in response to the Vegas 5.5 over/under and now act like asking to be bowl eligible is being a spoiled/entitled fan.
The offense is what it is. We threw 23 of 26 passes less than 10 yards and 11 of those behind the line of scrimmage. Several of those on 3rd down. Anyone fighting the Captain Checkdown moniker is not familiar with the facts. Luckily, a few times, like with ETN on the last TD drive, we had guys make moves and get plenty of yards. How Etienne and Johnson continue to get equal touches baffles me. I know, many people are going to point to Etienne's bad game against UGA and say "pass blocking". Guess who graded better against Arkansas with a 79.7 pass block rating. One guy can be solid and one guy can turn any touch into a big gainer. That is not to belittle one, it is a comment about optimal play and putting the most dangerous players on the field. Also, we saw the Zoolander effect again, just 3 throws outside of the numbers to the left while having 10 to the right.
I could talk about the OL and its problems, but I'll address one play that George was getting killed for from what I saw on X. We threw a 3rd down screen to Johnson and I heard how it was his fault for not blocking. I have had critiques for George and others all year. I think that was off base. When a DB stays outside to maintain an edge, the RB takes his route wide of his blocker and the ball is thrown outside of the blocker, I can't blame the blocker. In no world is George beating Johnson laterally. I have to blame design (and another decision to throw short of the sticks on 3rd down yet again.
It is worth noting the Arkansas D was 32nd in the nation coming into the game despite facing quality offenses like LSU and Ole Miss on the road. Again, I expect us to have issues. However, we did a great job fighting back. My brother got mad when I laughed at him saying he hoped we kept the aggression up after tying the game. We didn't, we only got aggressive when we got down or into put up or shut up time...until OT, but that's a different story.
On defense, yes, we had guys out, and yes, I saw this offense being better than they were, but we did make an offense that was 120th in the nation before the game look like a top SEC offense. The ironic thing I see is when people say that's what the bye week did for them (that part is true), but say we couldn't have done better last week coming off of a bye. X is a wild place.
Anyways, M. Mitchell and Marshall each probably had their most solid games this season. Marshall allowed only 2 yards. Mitchell should've had a pick, but since Arky didn't score on the drive (I think it was on 3rd down), I wasn't as upset. Castell continues to grow, probably the best part of this season, lead the team with 11 tackles (though having a safety lead in tackles is questionable sometimes) and got a big interception on a 3rd down on a good read of the play. There are interceptions that happen where the safety doesn't do much (see our late INT against Auburn in 2019) and then there is making a play on the ball like what happened there.
The run defense wasn't great giving up over 200 yards, but a lot of that was late after the D was tired and Pyburn was out (31 yards in OT alone). That needs to be better next year as does everything else. I still have no idea how we shut down UT in the first half like we did. The best explanation I have is the Swamp's impact and UT still figuring out who they were early in the season.
Could I rip a lot of this defense up and down? Could I rip us taking a 5th year SR linebacker who has contributed as little as I feared he would instead of being quality depth in case of injury like we have? Yes and Yes. All sorts of things I could rip, but isn't worth it.
We had a FG safe unit with 10 guys (there's a pic on X), we had a poor snap that arguably cost us the game on an XP (I'm not going to blame any one play) like 2017 A&M, and we missed a game winning FG as regulation expired after one of the most ridiculous things you'll ever see and somehow we were lucky the clock hadn't restarted as it should after a first down (and that by some dark magic in the rulebook the fact the clock would begin running before a whistle doesn't allow for a runoff). Some people, maybe here to, believe you can't relieve someone of duties in season because you can't hire in season. Let me introduce you to a new term you haven't heard of interim. The longer Couch is publicly part of this staff, the more of a problem I will have.
I've seen that if we make the kick, we are having a different discussion. I think that ignores a holistic view of where the program is and the issues. I saw some spiking the football after beating a 2 win Carolina. I stand by that game was the best called we've seen from this staff. However, the win had people ignoring symptoms they wouldn't had Boardingham not made a guy miss 10 yards from the line of gain and Etienne made a key block to get that first down and had we not hit Pearsall with 47 seconds left. The missed kick made people see things that had been there all along. If you're basing your attitude on whether one kick went in or not, that's a problem. That's not to say we shouldn't have won this game or that missing that kick sucked. That's saying that if you are saying there are issues and you wouldn't be seeing the same thing had we just missed the FG, that's on you. The issues have been apparent beyond results. Don't get me wrong, results matter. Playing with bigger margin of error matters. However, all that should not come down to a kick whether it's this FG or an official kicking a ball against UT allowing UF to make a quick sub (albeit a gamble) to stop UT's momentum on a 4th down.
The thing that bothered me the most on Saturday was the post game. Deet has a good review in the game thread (its the game thread...right?) of his takeaways and I agree with him. I will add, his defensive response asking De La Torre for examples regarding the ST play 100% reminds me of "Do you know what a midline is", "death threats", and "recruiting season" responses from former coaches. More than anything this weekend, that is what gives me pause.
I'm not on the fire train. I'm for the 3rd season, but the metrics don't change for year 3 because the facts are the facts and I'll stick by them until I see examples otherwise. It may be a waste and nothing other than getting in a good class and some game experience for young guys, but a third season is the train I'm on losing season or not. Changes must be made swiftly and publicly after the end of the regular season (at least announced).
Still some things to play for, a bowl and possible spoiler to FSU's season. A chance at revenge against LSU after 4 straight losses to the Tigers. And a chance to get a good win in CoMo. It's really put up or shut up time.
Go Gators!
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