Joe Vols
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2010
- Messages
- 2,405
- Likes
- 503
Much talk has been made about how well the Vols are playing, and how poorly the Gators are playing.
The scary thing about UF is that they have the athletes to put together a great game, no matter how bad they played the week before, or the year before. This is also true of the Vols. So despite everything you've heard, or read, you can expect one thing this weekend. Expect to be entertained by a gut wrenching game win or lose.
Here is a snap-shot of the Gators since from last year until now:
2013 Florida Gators Football Schedule
Final Record: 4-8, 3-5 (SEC)
Aug. 31 Toledo Rockets , Gainesville, FL Won 24-6
Sept. 7 Hurricanes at Miami (FL) Lost 21-16
Sept. 21 Volunteers Gainesville, FL Won 31-17
Sept. 28 Wildcats at Kentucky Won 24-7
Oct. 5 Razorbacks Gainesville, FL Won 30-10
Oct. 12 Tigers at LSU Lost 17-6
Oct. 19 Tigers at Missouri Lost 36-17
Nov. 2 Georgia Bulldogs Jacksonville, FL Lost 23-20
Nov. 9 Vanderbilt Gainesville, FL Lost 34-17
Nov. 16 Gamecocks at South Carolina Lost 19-14
Nov. 23 Georgia Southern Gainesville, FL Lost 26-20
Nov. 30 Florida State Gainesville, FL Lost 37-7
2014 Florida Gators Football Schedule
Current Record: 2-1, 1-1 (SEC)
Aug. 30 Idaho Vandals Gainesville, FL Canceled
Sept. 6 Eastern Michigan Gainesville, FL Won 65-0
Sept. 13 Kentucky Wildcats Gainesville(OT)Won 36-30
Sept. 20 Crimson Tide at Alabama Lost 42-21
Oct. 4 Volunteers at Neyland 12:00 p.m. ET
According to many Gator fans, the sure sign that their program is on a downward slope is because they have lost their competitive edge, and most importantly, their competitive edge at home. We all know how that feels, we've been there going on 10 years now.
Despite this being a new year, and Muschamp's Gators starting out with a 2-1 record so far, last year's record still seems to be looming large over Muschamp's shoulder. To truly help distance himself at all from the hot seat chatter, he needs his Gators to rise to the occasion this weekend at Neyland stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 102,544 orange and white checkerboard clad fans screaming at the top of their lungs, and pull out a resounding victory.
You heard me right. Not just a victory. He needs a convincing win this Saturday. I don't think just a victory will do it, and here's why. Even though UT is currently a 2.5 point favorite, UF in my opinion isn't the underdog. There is no way Muschamp should lose this game with the talent, streak momentum, and the experience edge he takes into this game; and Florida faithful know it. If Butch Jones' Vols can manage to go toe to toe the entire game, or dare I say it, beat down a deeper, more experienced UF team for a win, the difference will simply, and unequivocally be coaching.
As for now the question remains, is there real trouble down in Gainesville, and if so, just how BIG is it?
On the flip side of that coin, even with a 2-2 record, many fans will argue that Butch Jones has a young Vols squad arguably playing UT's best football in perhaps a decade in the minds of many UT fans. The Vols are showing real signs they are on the upside of a downward decade. But as we all know too well, playing well, and developing the will and the capacity to win big games are 2 different things. So just how far have the Vols come under Butch Jones, if any? Can these young Vols realistically pull off the upset? Will they show tangible, significant signs that UT has finally turned a corner this Saturday? Is this storied program finally headed in the right direction, which is winning meaningful games from this fan's perspective?
There's also another question I'd like to ask. Butch Jones has recruited at an elite level, but is this game important from a recruiting stand point?
In my opinion, it most definitely is. Butch Jones has recruited well despite our record. How much better will he be when the Vols actually start winning on a consistent basis. Many will argue that the sky is the limit for him under those circumstances.
One of the fundamental building blocks of a team is how well it recruits, so there is little doubt why there are millions of dollars spent in the battle for elite talent across this great country. In the high stakes game of recruiting, every game is important. Each week is another chance to make an impression with potential players. Some will be good, and some will be bad. Commitments will be gained, and lost with the passing of each week based on performance. Both of these programs compete on a daily basis off the football field for some of the same recruits, but the most important battle for these recruits will take place on the field Saturday. It won't necessarily take a win to solidify some of these recruits, but rest assured the winner will hold the upper hand with most of them.
So once again we find ourselves locked up with UF in a battle of importance. No, it may not be a battle with National title hopes on the line that both fan bases had once grown so accustomed too, but it is most assuredly a game with the hopes and dreams of fans, coaches, recruits, and players alike, all hanging in the balance.
With so much at stake, the eyes of the nation will once again be focused this Saturday on Neyland stadium, where all of this week's preparation, hype, talk, hopes, and dreams will come to a head at 12 noon eastern. The atmosphere is sure to be electric. The fans are sure to be loud. The stage has been set for one of college footballs great rivalries. The pundits have all weighed in. The fans have once again put their weekly prognostication skills to the test. The game plans are set. The practicing is all but over. The trash talk has begun.
All that's left now is to play the game.
The scary thing about UF is that they have the athletes to put together a great game, no matter how bad they played the week before, or the year before. This is also true of the Vols. So despite everything you've heard, or read, you can expect one thing this weekend. Expect to be entertained by a gut wrenching game win or lose.
Here is a snap-shot of the Gators since from last year until now:
2013 Florida Gators Football Schedule
Final Record: 4-8, 3-5 (SEC)
Aug. 31 Toledo Rockets , Gainesville, FL Won 24-6
Sept. 7 Hurricanes at Miami (FL) Lost 21-16
Sept. 21 Volunteers Gainesville, FL Won 31-17
Sept. 28 Wildcats at Kentucky Won 24-7
Oct. 5 Razorbacks Gainesville, FL Won 30-10
Oct. 12 Tigers at LSU Lost 17-6
Oct. 19 Tigers at Missouri Lost 36-17
Nov. 2 Georgia Bulldogs Jacksonville, FL Lost 23-20
Nov. 9 Vanderbilt Gainesville, FL Lost 34-17
Nov. 16 Gamecocks at South Carolina Lost 19-14
Nov. 23 Georgia Southern Gainesville, FL Lost 26-20
Nov. 30 Florida State Gainesville, FL Lost 37-7
2014 Florida Gators Football Schedule
Current Record: 2-1, 1-1 (SEC)
Aug. 30 Idaho Vandals Gainesville, FL Canceled
Sept. 6 Eastern Michigan Gainesville, FL Won 65-0
Sept. 13 Kentucky Wildcats Gainesville(OT)Won 36-30
Sept. 20 Crimson Tide at Alabama Lost 42-21
Oct. 4 Volunteers at Neyland 12:00 p.m. ET
According to many Gator fans, the sure sign that their program is on a downward slope is because they have lost their competitive edge, and most importantly, their competitive edge at home. We all know how that feels, we've been there going on 10 years now.
Despite this being a new year, and Muschamp's Gators starting out with a 2-1 record so far, last year's record still seems to be looming large over Muschamp's shoulder. To truly help distance himself at all from the hot seat chatter, he needs his Gators to rise to the occasion this weekend at Neyland stadium in front of a sellout crowd of 102,544 orange and white checkerboard clad fans screaming at the top of their lungs, and pull out a resounding victory.
You heard me right. Not just a victory. He needs a convincing win this Saturday. I don't think just a victory will do it, and here's why. Even though UT is currently a 2.5 point favorite, UF in my opinion isn't the underdog. There is no way Muschamp should lose this game with the talent, streak momentum, and the experience edge he takes into this game; and Florida faithful know it. If Butch Jones' Vols can manage to go toe to toe the entire game, or dare I say it, beat down a deeper, more experienced UF team for a win, the difference will simply, and unequivocally be coaching.
As for now the question remains, is there real trouble down in Gainesville, and if so, just how BIG is it?
On the flip side of that coin, even with a 2-2 record, many fans will argue that Butch Jones has a young Vols squad arguably playing UT's best football in perhaps a decade in the minds of many UT fans. The Vols are showing real signs they are on the upside of a downward decade. But as we all know too well, playing well, and developing the will and the capacity to win big games are 2 different things. So just how far have the Vols come under Butch Jones, if any? Can these young Vols realistically pull off the upset? Will they show tangible, significant signs that UT has finally turned a corner this Saturday? Is this storied program finally headed in the right direction, which is winning meaningful games from this fan's perspective?
There's also another question I'd like to ask. Butch Jones has recruited at an elite level, but is this game important from a recruiting stand point?
In my opinion, it most definitely is. Butch Jones has recruited well despite our record. How much better will he be when the Vols actually start winning on a consistent basis. Many will argue that the sky is the limit for him under those circumstances.
One of the fundamental building blocks of a team is how well it recruits, so there is little doubt why there are millions of dollars spent in the battle for elite talent across this great country. In the high stakes game of recruiting, every game is important. Each week is another chance to make an impression with potential players. Some will be good, and some will be bad. Commitments will be gained, and lost with the passing of each week based on performance. Both of these programs compete on a daily basis off the football field for some of the same recruits, but the most important battle for these recruits will take place on the field Saturday. It won't necessarily take a win to solidify some of these recruits, but rest assured the winner will hold the upper hand with most of them.
So once again we find ourselves locked up with UF in a battle of importance. No, it may not be a battle with National title hopes on the line that both fan bases had once grown so accustomed too, but it is most assuredly a game with the hopes and dreams of fans, coaches, recruits, and players alike, all hanging in the balance.
With so much at stake, the eyes of the nation will once again be focused this Saturday on Neyland stadium, where all of this week's preparation, hype, talk, hopes, and dreams will come to a head at 12 noon eastern. The atmosphere is sure to be electric. The fans are sure to be loud. The stage has been set for one of college footballs great rivalries. The pundits have all weighed in. The fans have once again put their weekly prognostication skills to the test. The game plans are set. The practicing is all but over. The trash talk has begun.
All that's left now is to play the game.
Last edited:
