#1 Florida Gators vs Georgia Bulldogs
Saturday 12:30 PST
As I sit here writing, draped in my orange and blue Snuggie, I am struggling with how to approach this mail. Yes, I should be happy that the Gators beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs on the road and remain 7-0 atop the BCS Standings, but I can't help but reflect on yet another very poor showing by the Florida Offense. I still can't get that pick-six interception out of my mind by the Bulldogs in the closing seconds of the first half. Rather than pretty much sealing the deal and going into the locker room at 20-3 or at worst 16-3, Tebow forced a throw and the Bulldog defender snatched the ball and returned it for 100 yards, making the score a very uncomfortable 13-10. It felt like a punch in the stomach and turned my optimistic outlook to despair in a matter of seconds. Not a pleasant feeling at all, but unfortunately one we all are becoming more accustomed to when watching our mistake-prone offense. Sure we can move the ball efficiently from one 20 yard line to the other, but we simply can't get it into the endzone on a consistent or even occasional basis. I really can't comment on the second half since I headed to Qwest Field to watch the Sounders game, but I have read enough to know that there were more shortcomings and bone-headed mishaps on display to cause even the most casual Gator fan to shudder in dismay.
One thing that's really been tough to swallow this week is the incessant ridiculing of the Gators by the sports pundits (I tore my Snuggie in anger as I watched Around the Horn on ESPN). While some of their criticism is overly harsh given that Florida is an undefeated team, some of it's certainly merited. The offensive play-calling and agony-inducing lack of execution by Tebow and Company has truly been awful, particularly for a team ranked #1 in the nation. Especially stunning is the sub-par play of #15, our resident Heisman Trophy Winner. Let's call a spade a spade - Tebow has not played well of late. But it's still hard to hear the Gators getting thrashed in the media when we all know they can and should be so much better. At one point during the savage onslaught of Tebow by the media, I started feeling like Terrell Owens, on the verge of uncontrollable sobbing for the affront to "my quarterback". OK, that's a bit of hyperbole - even I'm not as lame as TO (although my first name is "Terrence" (for real) - but it's still a tad dispiriting.
But somehow we continue to win. Actually, "somehow" is not accurate, as we all know that our Defense has been the key to our success. As troublingly ineffective as our offense is, our D continues to dominate and hold teams in check who likely would have beaten us otherwise. And we should be at full strength again this week, returning four starters, when Florida travels to Jacksonville to face our historic arch-rival, the Georgia Bulldogs (back-to-back games against Bulldogs, that must mean something I guess?). If I were a Georgia offensive player right now, I would be very nervous knowing that I will be facing a fully-staffed and likely quite angry Gator defensive squad this Saturday.
Come on out this Saturday and watch the Gators face the Bulldogs of Athens this weekend. One can only hope that this is the weekend where the Offense finally clicks and begins to show their true potential. Otherwise, win or lose, the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" could turn into the "Angst-Ridden, Binge-Drinking Fest" (hey, that's kinda catchy!).
Go Gators,
Courtney
Friday, October 30, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
#1 Florida Gators vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
#1 Florida Gators vs Mississippi State Bulldogs
Saturday 4:30 PST
Howdy Gators:
Ok, now we can exhale!
Last Saturday was painful, verging on humiliating, but we emerged with a win nonetheless. I think we can all agree that the previous week’s outing against the Arkansas Razorbacks was very troubling. Yes, we won the game, but there’s not much pride in eking out a victory on Homecoming Day against a 24 point underdog when you are the supposed #1 team in the nation. One might even say that we would have lost the game had it not been for a bad kicking game by the Razorbacks and some very fortuitous (and frankly questionable) penalties late in the game that worked in the Gators' favor (interestingly, the officiating crew from last week’s game was suspended by the SEC for a phantom personal foul against Arkansas that gave Florida much needed yardage in the fourth quarter). Not the type of victory that imbues you with confidence midway into the season. Let’s face it, our offense is not very good and will need to show dramatic improvements to have any shot of finishing out the season undefeated and competing against the likely winners of the SEC West, the Alabama Crimson Tide (although Bama did not astound the college football world in their win over the Gamecocks last weekend).
Breaking with recent tradition, I am not going to wax on and on about the “Mighty” Gators as I typically do in the closing paragraphs of these fairly formulaic emails. Suffice to say we should all be a tad nervous about this weekend’s game against Mississippi State following last week’s near debacle. Lest we forget, the Bulldogs head coach is Dan Mullen, who led the Gator Offense a mere nine months ago, and he is presumably well-schooled in Florida’s defensive tendencies. But I suspect last week’s game may have been a wakeup call and learning experience for a Gator squad, which to date has failed to dazzle as expected this season. At least that’s what I hope.
Go Gators,
Courtney (your critical but forthright Gator commentator)
NOTE: If you plan to watch the game at Sideline, they will be showing UFC (aka, brutal blood sport) at 7:00 and will turn up the volume so all can hear the savage, bone-crushing beatings in full Dolby Stereo.
Saturday 4:30 PST
Howdy Gators:
Ok, now we can exhale!
Last Saturday was painful, verging on humiliating, but we emerged with a win nonetheless. I think we can all agree that the previous week’s outing against the Arkansas Razorbacks was very troubling. Yes, we won the game, but there’s not much pride in eking out a victory on Homecoming Day against a 24 point underdog when you are the supposed #1 team in the nation. One might even say that we would have lost the game had it not been for a bad kicking game by the Razorbacks and some very fortuitous (and frankly questionable) penalties late in the game that worked in the Gators' favor (interestingly, the officiating crew from last week’s game was suspended by the SEC for a phantom personal foul against Arkansas that gave Florida much needed yardage in the fourth quarter). Not the type of victory that imbues you with confidence midway into the season. Let’s face it, our offense is not very good and will need to show dramatic improvements to have any shot of finishing out the season undefeated and competing against the likely winners of the SEC West, the Alabama Crimson Tide (although Bama did not astound the college football world in their win over the Gamecocks last weekend).
Breaking with recent tradition, I am not going to wax on and on about the “Mighty” Gators as I typically do in the closing paragraphs of these fairly formulaic emails. Suffice to say we should all be a tad nervous about this weekend’s game against Mississippi State following last week’s near debacle. Lest we forget, the Bulldogs head coach is Dan Mullen, who led the Gator Offense a mere nine months ago, and he is presumably well-schooled in Florida’s defensive tendencies. But I suspect last week’s game may have been a wakeup call and learning experience for a Gator squad, which to date has failed to dazzle as expected this season. At least that’s what I hope.
Go Gators,
Courtney (your critical but forthright Gator commentator)
NOTE: If you plan to watch the game at Sideline, they will be showing UFC (aka, brutal blood sport) at 7:00 and will turn up the volume so all can hear the savage, bone-crushing beatings in full Dolby Stereo.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
#1 Florida Gators vs Arkansas Razorbacks
#1 Florida Gators vs Arkansas Razorbacks
Saturday 12:30 PST
Spitfire Only
Howdy Gators:
We have decided to view the Arkansas game together at Spitfire this week. We look forward to having our Sideline Gators visit our Seattle Swamp. It's an exciting place to view the game and we will have a fired up Seattle Gator crowd.
We will be raffling off the Urban Meyer autographed football at halftime. Tickets are $2 each with a maximum of 320 tickets to be sold. Plenty of tickets still remain. The ball and trophy case will be on display at the game. All proceeds from the raffle go to the scholarship fund. Bring your Alumni membership cards to the game. We will have a special raffle for our Alumni Members to thank them for their membership. We received a check in the amount of $513 from the UF Alumni Association as a rebate from their alumni membership dues. The money we receive from the Alumni Association is used to run the club and pay for the picnic, young alumni events and other Gator Gatherings.
Gee, It's Great to Be a Florida Gator! and that was especially true last Saturday. It was a very sweet victory over a good LSU team. I don't think we have ever seen such a conservative Gator offense. It was so conservative that it made Rush Limbaugh look like a left winger. Where have the days gone when the Old Ball Coach played conservative in the second half with a big lead only to let the offense score touchdowns at will? When the Old Ball Coach was asked why he ran up the score, he replied "It's not our job to stop the Gators from scoring; it's their defense's job." Maybe Urban Meyer should show some film of those old Spurrier game blowouts to the offense to get them going? Charlie Strong showed the defense film of how they played last year and they responded with the best defensive effort I can remember since the 2006 National Championship game.
Arkansas is fresh off their victory over undefeated Auburn at home last week. They thoroughly dominated Auburn and deserved to win the game. I don't expect to see another conservative game plan this week from the New Ball Coach (may be the words Ball Coach will fire up the offense?). Last week, our receivers blocked and ran short routes to protect Tebow. Now that number 15 is healthy, they can light up the offense. The Razorbacks will be in for a good whopping thanks to a stingy defense and a new 90's attitude on offense.
I look forward to seeing everyone at Spitfire on Saturday.
Go Gators!
Neil
President, Seattle Gator Club
Saturday 12:30 PST
Spitfire Only
Howdy Gators:
We have decided to view the Arkansas game together at Spitfire this week. We look forward to having our Sideline Gators visit our Seattle Swamp. It's an exciting place to view the game and we will have a fired up Seattle Gator crowd.
We will be raffling off the Urban Meyer autographed football at halftime. Tickets are $2 each with a maximum of 320 tickets to be sold. Plenty of tickets still remain. The ball and trophy case will be on display at the game. All proceeds from the raffle go to the scholarship fund. Bring your Alumni membership cards to the game. We will have a special raffle for our Alumni Members to thank them for their membership. We received a check in the amount of $513 from the UF Alumni Association as a rebate from their alumni membership dues. The money we receive from the Alumni Association is used to run the club and pay for the picnic, young alumni events and other Gator Gatherings.
Gee, It's Great to Be a Florida Gator! and that was especially true last Saturday. It was a very sweet victory over a good LSU team. I don't think we have ever seen such a conservative Gator offense. It was so conservative that it made Rush Limbaugh look like a left winger. Where have the days gone when the Old Ball Coach played conservative in the second half with a big lead only to let the offense score touchdowns at will? When the Old Ball Coach was asked why he ran up the score, he replied "It's not our job to stop the Gators from scoring; it's their defense's job." Maybe Urban Meyer should show some film of those old Spurrier game blowouts to the offense to get them going? Charlie Strong showed the defense film of how they played last year and they responded with the best defensive effort I can remember since the 2006 National Championship game.
Arkansas is fresh off their victory over undefeated Auburn at home last week. They thoroughly dominated Auburn and deserved to win the game. I don't expect to see another conservative game plan this week from the New Ball Coach (may be the words Ball Coach will fire up the offense?). Last week, our receivers blocked and ran short routes to protect Tebow. Now that number 15 is healthy, they can light up the offense. The Razorbacks will be in for a good whopping thanks to a stingy defense and a new 90's attitude on offense.
I look forward to seeing everyone at Spitfire on Saturday.
Go Gators!
Neil
President, Seattle Gator Club
Thursday, October 8, 2009
#1 Florida Gators vs #4 LSU Tigers
#1 Florida Gators vs #4 LSU Tigers
Saturday 5:00 PST
Howdy Gators:
Hope everyone enjoyed the week off from Gator football and spent some time outdoors in the beautiful fall weather we are having. More importantly, I hope Tim Tebow used the brief hiatus from the gridiron to recover from the truly terrifying hit he suffered during the trouncing of Kentucky a couple weeks ago. Like everyone in Gator Nation, I watched in fear as Gainesville’s favorite son lay immobile on the turf following a crushing tackle that resulted in a trip to the hospital and a concussion. After watching the video of the collision again and again, in excruciating slow-motion on ESPN, (it felt like watching the Abraham Zapruder film after awhile… frightening stuff!), it dawned on me that Tebow, though seemingly superhuman, is mortal and perhaps needs to be a tad more careful if he wants to extend his career beyond the college ranks.
Yesterday Tebow participated in practice, but it’s still unclear whether he will take the field this Saturday when the Gators travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers. Urban Meyer made a statement today that he won’t pass down a verdict on Tebow until game-time, so we will all just have to wait and see. Some have speculated that this is just a ruse by Meyer to keep LSU guessing and to add to the overall drama of the game. Perhaps. We can only hope though that the reluctance to make a decision is not due to concerns over lingering effects from the concussion Tebow suffered.
As for the Tigers, they remain a bit of a mystery this season. Yes, they are ranked #4 and are undefeated, but if it hadn’t been for a goal-line stand against Mississippi State and an arguably game-changing, controversial call against Georgia last weekend, Les Miles and his boys could easily be limping into this week’s contest with an unimpressive 3-2 record. Particularly concerning for LSU is their offense, which, to put it mildly, has not been a juggernaut to date. If the Gator defense continues to dominate as they have thus far this season, I suspect the Tiger offense will continue their pattern of relative futility.
Come on out this weekend and watch the Gators take the field against the LSU Tigers. In recent years the Florida\LSU game has risen to become one of the more interesting rivalries in the country, and the upcoming contest will likely add another page to the scrapbook. It will be a night game in Death Valley so you can bet that the Tiger-faithful will be amply liquored up and in a raucous mood to dethrone the #1 team in the country. Given the rather favorable schedule the Gators have this season, a win over the Bayou Bengals could solidify Florida’s path to the Conference and National Championship games (although the game in Columbia, SC later this season looms large as well), so needless to say this is a very big game.
To quote the fine folks of Louisiana, “laissez les bons temps rouler!!”
Geaux Gators!
Courtney
Saturday 5:00 PST
Howdy Gators:
Hope everyone enjoyed the week off from Gator football and spent some time outdoors in the beautiful fall weather we are having. More importantly, I hope Tim Tebow used the brief hiatus from the gridiron to recover from the truly terrifying hit he suffered during the trouncing of Kentucky a couple weeks ago. Like everyone in Gator Nation, I watched in fear as Gainesville’s favorite son lay immobile on the turf following a crushing tackle that resulted in a trip to the hospital and a concussion. After watching the video of the collision again and again, in excruciating slow-motion on ESPN, (it felt like watching the Abraham Zapruder film after awhile… frightening stuff!), it dawned on me that Tebow, though seemingly superhuman, is mortal and perhaps needs to be a tad more careful if he wants to extend his career beyond the college ranks.
Yesterday Tebow participated in practice, but it’s still unclear whether he will take the field this Saturday when the Gators travel to Baton Rouge to face the LSU Tigers. Urban Meyer made a statement today that he won’t pass down a verdict on Tebow until game-time, so we will all just have to wait and see. Some have speculated that this is just a ruse by Meyer to keep LSU guessing and to add to the overall drama of the game. Perhaps. We can only hope though that the reluctance to make a decision is not due to concerns over lingering effects from the concussion Tebow suffered.
As for the Tigers, they remain a bit of a mystery this season. Yes, they are ranked #4 and are undefeated, but if it hadn’t been for a goal-line stand against Mississippi State and an arguably game-changing, controversial call against Georgia last weekend, Les Miles and his boys could easily be limping into this week’s contest with an unimpressive 3-2 record. Particularly concerning for LSU is their offense, which, to put it mildly, has not been a juggernaut to date. If the Gator defense continues to dominate as they have thus far this season, I suspect the Tiger offense will continue their pattern of relative futility.
Come on out this weekend and watch the Gators take the field against the LSU Tigers. In recent years the Florida\LSU game has risen to become one of the more interesting rivalries in the country, and the upcoming contest will likely add another page to the scrapbook. It will be a night game in Death Valley so you can bet that the Tiger-faithful will be amply liquored up and in a raucous mood to dethrone the #1 team in the country. Given the rather favorable schedule the Gators have this season, a win over the Bayou Bengals could solidify Florida’s path to the Conference and National Championship games (although the game in Columbia, SC later this season looms large as well), so needless to say this is a very big game.
To quote the fine folks of Louisiana, “laissez les bons temps rouler!!”
Geaux Gators!
Courtney
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