Florida game: Impact on season?

[jakez4ut]

i keep reading and hearing how this game coming up is the barometer of whether TN is back or not....which i can certainly see why people would say that....but even if we lose, the season is not over, nor is out of the question that we could still win the East.

is too much being made about this game being THE game to say whether or not we're back or going to be any good? I mean if we win, obviously the upside is huge, that would be 2 top ten teams defeated at Neyland thus far and we'd be probably in the driver's seat for the East...not to mention back in the top 10 in the rankings....

but if we lose...does that mean the season is over? is the season a failure? to me i think you have to judge the season as a whole when complete...cause i got to tell you with games left still agains Bama, @UGA, @ USC and LSU and @ ARk...there is still plenty to play for and plenty to hang your hat on should we finish 10-2...i think that would be a better indication of us "being back" rather than the outcome of one game in Setpember, albeit a huge game.

thoughts?

 

['Boro-vol]

Well said, but as you know college football is fickle at best, and usually judged on the here and now. That is why we buy the magazines, tune into the radio, and watch every week. Everyone is looking for a quick answer, and this matchup certainly seems to give that.

The the season record only matters....at the end of the season.

 

[therealUT]

If we beat Florida, I see us going 7-1 in the SEC and winning the SEC East. If we lose to Florida, we go 6-2 in the SEC, tie UGA for the East, and we go to the SECCG. Not bad either way, right?

Well, I do not see us winning the SECCG. So, we either go 11-2 before the bowl games or 10-3. 11-2 puts us in either the Citrus Bowl (if the SEC Champ makes the BCS Title Game,) or the Cotton Bowl. 10-3 puts us in at best the Cotton Bowl, most likely the Peach Bowl.

 

[Lexvol]

i keep reading and hearing how this game coming up is the barometer of whether TN is back or not....which i can certainly see why people would say that....but even if we lose, the season is not over, nor is out of the question that we could still win the East.

is too much being made about this game being THE game to say whether or not we're back or going to be any good? I mean if we win, obviously the upside is huge, that would be 2 top ten teams defeated at Neyland thus far and we'd be probably in the driver's seat for the East...not to mention back in the top 10 in the rankings....

but if we lose...does that mean the season is over? is the season a failure? to me i think you have to judge the season as a whole when complete...cause i got to tell you with games left still agains Bama, @UGA, @ USC and LSU and @ ARk...there is still plenty to play for and plenty to hang your hat on should we finish 10-2...i think that would be a better indication of us "being back" rather than the outcome of one game in Setpember, albeit a huge game.

thoughts?

Too much can never be made of this game, if for no other reason, it is the SEC opener. This game will be an important barometer for the following:

1. Can Ainge hold up under pressure?
2. Is the UT defense as fast as it looked in the Cal game?
3. How well with this OL pass protect and run block against a speedy defense?
4. Is Robert Meachem ready for primetime?
5. How well will the coaches manage a close SEC game including special teams and playcalling.
6. Can UT lose this game and still finish 10-2?

The UT team was the media darling after week one. A win puts them back in the national spotlight, and one step closure to regaining some sort of national pride.

 

[jakez4ut]

If we beat Florida, I see us going 7-1 in the SEC and winning the SEC East. If we lose to Florida, we go 6-2 in the SEC, tie UGA for the East, and we go to the SECCG. Not bad either way, right?

Well, I do not see us winning the SECCG. So, we either go 11-2 before the bowl games or 10-3. 11-2 puts us in either the Citrus Bowl (if the SEC Champ makes the BCS Title Game,) or the Cotton Bowl. 10-3 puts us in at best the Cotton Bowl, most likely the Peach Bowl.

I'd take all that right now and not play another down....

although, if we win 11 games, and we only lose to, i assume LSU, and say Auburn in the SEC title game...BCS could be possible...

10 win regular season would definitely say we're back imo.

 

[lawgator1]

I agree with those who say that a win here for UT might set the stage for a huge season but that a loss might not necessarily doom you. Even if Florida is fortunate enough to win, they still have a brutal SEC schedule with some tough road games and it is not at all that wierd to say that UT still has a lot to say about the SECE even with a loss.

On the flip side, given its schedule, a loss for Florida this weekend would really put them behind the proverbial 8-ball.

 

[Lexvol]

I agree with those who say that a win here for UT might set the stage for a huge season but that a loss might not necessarily doom you. Even if Florida is fortunate enough to win, they still have a brutal SEC schedule with some tough road games and it is not at all that wierd to say that UT still has a lot to say about the SECE even with a loss.

On the flip side, given its schedule, a loss for Florida this weekend would really put them behind the proverbial 8-ball.

I prefer the drivers seat. Maybe I just have control issues.

 

[therealUT]

I agree with those who say that a win here for UT might set the stage for a huge season but that a loss might not necessarily doom you. Even if Florida is fortunate enough to win, they still have a brutal SEC schedule with some tough road games and it is not at all that wierd to say that UT still has a lot to say about the SECE even with a loss.

On the flip side, given its schedule, a loss for Florida this weekend would really put them behind the proverbial 8-ball.

I agree completely with this assessment. Let's just hope that my UT players don't realize that they have a lot less to play for in this game than do the Gators.

 

[lawgator1]

I prefer the drivers seat. Maybe I just have control issues.

I assure you that neither team is planning to lose to get into position, LOL.

I agree completely with this assessment. Let's just hope that my UT players don't realize that they have a lot less to play for in this game than do the Gators.

I cannot see any player coming out flat for this game. If they do, they don't deserve to be in either Orange or Orange and Blue.

 

[jakez4ut]

I agree with those who say that a win here for UT might set the stage for a huge season but that a loss might not necessarily doom you. Even if Florida is fortunate enough to win, they still have a brutal SEC schedule with some tough road games and it is not at all that wierd to say that UT still has a lot to say about the SECE even with a loss.

On the flip side, given its schedule, a loss for Florida this weekend would really put them behind the proverbial 8-ball.

see that's what i'm talking about....i think this is more of a must win for UF than TN....the one thing that hasn't changed since before the season is that UF is and was the favorite in this game....so much being made about TN proving they're back....my take is how about UF proving that their worth all the hype and they HAVE to win this game because of the remaining schedule.

Virtually no one picked UT to win the East or SEC....UF has been a solid favorite all pre season and is still the favorite....so who's the pressure really on here???

 

[lawgator1]

see that's what i'm talking about....i think this is more of a must win for UF than TN....the one thing that hasn't changed since before the season is that UF is and was the favorite in this game....so much being made about TN proving they're back....my take is how about UF proving that their worth all the hype and they HAVE to win this game because of the remaining schedule.

Virtually no one picked UT to win the East or SEC....UF has been a solid favorite all pre season and is still the favorite....so who's the pressure really on here???

I think that analysis is spot on. If Florida loses a tough game and UT has a good year, I can live with that. but it is time for Florida to show some toughness on the road and I think that Meyer IS under a lot of pressure to show that he can coach a UF team to play some hard-hitting football.

Even in the glory years of Spurrier, there was a sense that Florida was not a tough team. We sacrificed brute force for a finesse approach. Now, even you guys would have to admit that it worked quite well for awhile.

But I really do think that Florda fans are tired of feeling like we have to score 40 to have a chance because we know a good opponent will put up 38. Florida has to show some knuckle-dragging beat smash-mouth football to compete on the road in the SEC.

I do think that Meyer understands this. He certainly is saying all the right things about toughness. I want to see some UF bodies flying around, some UT heads snapping back, and some pounding on both sides fo the ball for Florida.

This game means a lot for the psyche of the Florida fans and Meyer knows it.

 

[therealUT]

I think that analysis is spot on. If Florida loses a tough game and UT has a good year, I can live with that. but it is time for Florida to show some toughness on the road and I think that Meyer IS under a lot of pressure to show that he can coach a UF team to play some hard-hitting football.

Even in the glory years of Spurrier, there was a sense that Florida was not a tough team. We sacrificed brute force for a finesse approach. Now, even you guys would have to admit that it worked quite well for awhile.

But I really do think that Florda fans are tired of feeling like we have to score 40 to have a chance because we know a good opponent will put up 38. Florida has to show some knuckle-dragging beat smash-mouth football to compete on the road in the SEC.

I do think that Meyer understands this. He certainly is saying all the right things about toughness. I want to see some UF bodies flying around, some UT heads snapping back, and some pounding on both sides fo the ball for Florida.

This game means a lot for the psyche of the Florida fans and Meyer knows it.

So, why Urban Meyer? At Utah and BG opponents scored a lot against his teams, his teams just scored more...

 

[jakez4ut]

I think that analysis is spot on. If Florida loses a tough game and UT has a good year, I can live with that. but it is time for Florida to show some toughness on the road and I think that Meyer IS under a lot of pressure to show that he can coach a UF team to play some hard-hitting football.

Even in the glory years of Spurrier, there was a sense that Florida was not a tough team. We sacrificed brute force for a finesse approach. Now, even you guys would have to admit that it worked quite well for awhile.

But I really do think that Florda fans are tired of feeling like we have to score 40 to have a chance because we know a good opponent will put up 38. Florida has to show some knuckle-dragging beat smash-mouth football to compete on the road in the SEC.

I do think that Meyer understands this. He certainly is saying all the right things about toughness. I want to see some UF bodies flying around, some UT heads snapping back, and some pounding on both sides fo the ball for Florida.

This game means a lot for the psyche of the Florida fans and Meyer knows it.

i would agree with you...even when TN was losing to UF, we never thought or felt they out physicaled UT....

but i think both teams in the early and mid 90's were a bit full of themselves in regards to how tough they really were...we learned that against Penn St in the citrus bowl...they smacked us in the mouth in the 2nd half and we had no answer...and you guys learned that in the Fiesta Bowl against Neb....i think both teams are much tougher now a days though.

 

[lawgator1]

So, why Urban Meyer? At Utah and BG opponents scored a lot against his teams, his teams just scored more...

I note your point but I can't agree that Meyer does not see great value to being a tough-minded and physical team. I think he respects the physical nature of the SEC and wants to be good at that. He has certainly recruited to be that way and his comments all week have been about not getting out-toughed at Neyland.

So I think he gets it. Can he put it into action? I don't know. But I can tell you right now that, next to the score, that is probably what most of us Gator fans will be looking for.

i would agree with you...even when TN was losing to UF, we never thought or felt they out physicaled UT....

but i think both teams in the early and mid 90's were a bit full of themselves in regards to how tough they really were...we learned that against Penn St in the citrus bowl...they smacked us in the mouth in the 2nd half and we had no answer...and you guys learned that in the Fiesta Bowl against Neb....i think both teams are much tougher now a days though.

The Fiesta Bowl debacle ratcheted thigns up for Florida, that's for sure.

 

[jakez4ut]

I note your point but I can't agree that Meyer does not see great value to being a tough-minded and physical team. I think he respects the physical nature of the SEC and wants to be good at that. He has certainly recruited to be that way and his comments all week have been about not getting out-toughed at Neyland.

So I think he gets it. Can he put it into action? I don't know. But I can tell you right now that, next to the score, that is probably what most of us Gator fans will be looking for.




The Fiesta Bowl debacle ratcheted thigns up for Florida, that's for sure.

it's kind of funny, but if you think about it, TN and UF followed similar paths to the NT...

95 UF gets blasted by Neb in Fiesta, 96 UF defeats FSU for NT
97 UT gets blasted by Neb in Orange, 98, UT defeats FSU for NT...weird.

 

[jakez4ut]

I note your point but I can't agree that Meyer does not see great value to being a tough-minded and physical team. I think he respects the physical nature of the SEC and wants to be good at that. He has certainly recruited to be that way and his comments all week have been about not getting out-toughed at Neyland.

So I think he gets it. Can he put it into action? I don't know. But I can tell you right now that, next to the score, that is probably what most of us Gator fans will be looking for.

based on what i saw last night from WVU, the spread option can be plenty physical...granted it was against a pretty bad MD team, but nonetheless..i was impressed, and i would hate to play WVU right now....they looked really good. and if that's the future of UF...well, let's just say i hope it's not the future of UF.:crossfingers:

 

[tidwell]

based on what i saw last night from WVU, the spread option can be plenty physical...granted it was against a pretty bad MD team, but nonetheless..i was impressed, and i would hate to play WVU right now....they looked really good. and if that's the future of UF...well, let's just say i hope it's not the future of UF.:crossfingers:

Not to mention the success the Vols defense had last week against an option-like attack... :wacko:

 

[jakez4ut]

Not to mention the success the Vols defense had last week against an option-like attack... :wacko:

well it is a weird offense, hard to defend, and what i saw last night was very impressive. I think WVU will give any team they face fits with that offense.

one thing to note....don't be so nice to 'em....MD turned the ball over so much in the 1st half there was no way for 'em to come back.

and much like AF, the weakness on WVU is the secondary....to beat those guys, you need a good air attack and must be able to outscore 'em.

 

[tidwell]

Yeah, the ball literally bounced West Virginia's way the entire first half. It didn't even matter that the Mountaineers started playing their brand of thug, 15 yard penalty at the end of every play for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct ball late in the second quarter. Just steamrolled'em.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yeah, the ball literally bounced West Virginia's way the entire first half. It didn't even matter that the Mountaineers started playing their brand of thug, 15 yard penalty at the end of every play for unnecessary roughness or unsportsmanlike conduct ball late in the second quarter. Just steamrolled'em.

yep...which is what would worry me if were a WVU fan...

but Steve Slaton is the real deal...that 38 yard TD run was amazing...and i don't care who you are...145 yard rushing in the 1st qtr is just sick, and while MD isn't very good, they are D 1 team from a BCS conference...

 

[therealUT]

well it is a weird offense, hard to defend, and what i saw last night was very impressive. I think WVU will give any team they face fits with that offense.

one thing to note....don't be so nice to 'em....MD turned the ball over so much in the 1st half there was no way for 'em to come back.

and much like AF, the weakness on WVU is the secondary....to beat those guys, you need a good air attack and must be able to outscore 'em.

Unless you have superior talent, novelty offenses are only going to get a team so far. WVU might well go undefeated during the regular season, however, once a team has a month to prepare for their offense, they will be exposed in the bowl game if they face a team with better talent.

 

[jakez4ut]

Unless you have superior talent, novelty offenses are only going to get a team so far. WVU might well go undefeated during the regular season, however, once a team has a month to prepare for their offense, they will be exposed in the bowl game if they face a team with better talent.

yeah, i agree with that...

 

[orange+white=heaven]

....to beat those guys, you need a good air attack and must be able to outscore 'em.

Plus team speed on defense, especially at linebacker....

 

[texas_vol]

Virtually no one picked UT to win the East or SEC....UF has been a solid favorite all pre season and is still the favorite....so who's the pressure really on here???

 

[jakez4ut]

Plus team speed on defense, especially at linebacker....

and good open feild tackling...hate to say it, cause it's so cliche, but you also need to play your assignments...there were a lot of blown assignments in that game where the back side was completely open in the 1st half...they made some adjustments in the 2nd half and were moderately successful....they did get some pursuit down the line of scrimmage, and the cut back was taken away for the most part...