The Expectations Game

#1
lawgator1

lawgator1

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#1
Here is an excerpt from an article out of the Gainesville Sun regarding expectations. I attach only the part about Gator fans.

Of course, in Gainesville the expectations may be a little out of whack. Urban Meyer is in his first season and transition years are always difficult. This is a team that is painfully thin at some positions. Sports Illustrated ranked UF No. 3 in the preseason after the SI staff spent some time with Ricky Williams' holistic doctor.
So it is up to me to calm all of you down. You need to think about the long term, not the short term. Florida did not hire Meyer to win this season but for many seasons. UF hired him to build a program, not be a temp. You want Paul Brown, not Larry Brown.
Considering that it is Meyer's introductory season to the SEC, Florida's personnel and the difficult schedule, 9-2 or 8-3 would be totally acceptable. What, do you really believe this guy is never going to lose another game?
This has been my mantra all summer - keep the bar at a reachable level. Don't hyperventilate every time someone suggests Florida might actually not win the national championship. Don't clench your teeth at the mere mention of a UF offensive play that doesn't end up in the end zone. Repeat after me - the defense will allow points to be scored at some point this season.
OK, everybody relaxed, back to reality, keeping the level of expectation at an objective level?
Good. Now forget everything I've said.Go gaga, Gators.Unbeaten? Sure. Rose Bowl? Absolutely. Michael Slive might as well get the engraver to start working now on the SEC Championship trophy.
It's the preseason. Gosh, if you can't brag in August, what's the point of being a fan? And haven't you been robbed of your level of expectation for long enough?
After three summers of ifs and buts, you need to go nuts. What's the harm? Think Meyer will coach any differently if he knows you expect 13-0? It's not like you've jinxed your team.
Today, Florida is as good as Southern Cal, as good as Texas, as good as Tennessee and LSU and New England. Wanna argue? You can't win, not until we start playing the games.
Have fun with it. The days are going by too fast as it is. Stop and imagine Atlanta on a chilly December evening, Chris Leak doing the Heisman pose, Pasadena in January, a visit to the White House.
The Gator Nation used to be cocksure, used to sleep with a swagger, used to strut into a room and declare it swamped. And it used to work pretty well.
Forget the realistic approach. That's for us media boys. You are fans, short for fanatic, keepers of the flame of optimism and guardians of face paint and foam fingers.
Get giddy. Who knows, it might last a whole season.
 
#2
#2
Good article -- I like the "if you can't brag in August, what's the point of being a fan?" line.

". . .as good as. . .New England." My prediction: with Meyer at the helm, UF will win the 2006 Super Bowl.
 
#3
#3
I think an undefeated season is an unrealistic goal for the Gators.

In reality, you should lose to UT and GA. LSU is in a similar boat as the Gators with a new head coach, but they probably have a lot better talent in house right now than Florida.

In my opinion your fans should consider an 8/3 retular season a huge success.

Even if you were to go 7/4 and win a minor bowl that would not be the end of the world at this point.

The problem I'm afraid the Florida fans are setting themselves up for is; if you don't win it all this year you'll get down on Meyer.

The expectations are too unreasonable for a new staff with a team that lost 5 times last year.
 
#4
#4
Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 19, 2005 11:25 AM
I think an undefeated season is an unrealistic goal for the Gators.

In reality, you should lose to UT and GA. LSU is in a similar boat as the Gators with a new head coach, but they probably have a lot better talent in house right now than Florida.

In my opinion your fans should consider an 8/3 retular season a huge success.

Even if you were to go 7/4 and win a minor bowl that would not be the end of the world at this point.

The problem I'm afraid the Florida fans are setting themselves up for is; if you don't win it all this year you'll get down on Meyer.

The expectations are too unreasonable for a new staff with a team that lost 5 times last year.
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I agree that 8-3 would be terrific. I don't think 7-4 or 6-5 gets Meyer on the hot seat. Folks will be willing to give him at least 3 years before they really start talking about dumping him. Remember, Zook came in as, what, our third choice? He was doomed from the outset barring 10-1 type years.

As to the 5 losses, remember that some of them were games that a better end-game coach would not have lost. And at least one (Ole Miss) was a coaching loss in that the team was not prepared to play. I don't think you are going to see the same deflation towards the end of games this years as last.

Not saying we can be sure Meyer will turn it around, but of the coaches out there ready to make a move, I do think he was by far the best choice. Very anxious to see what he does with the Gators.
 
#5
#5
Originally posted by lawgator1@Aug 19, 2005 11:32 AM
I agree that 8-3 would be terrific.  I don't think 7-4 or 6-5 gets Meyer on the hot seat.  Folks will be willing to give him at least 3 years before they really start talking about dumping him.  Remember, Zook came in as, what, our third choice?  He was doomed from the outset barring 10-1 type years.

As to the 5 losses, remember that some of them were games that a better end-game coach would not have lost.  And at least one (Ole Miss) was a coaching loss in that the team was not prepared to play.  I don't think you are going to see the same deflation towards the end of games this years as last.

Not saying we can be sure Meyer will turn it around, but of the coaches out there ready to make a move, I do think he was by far the best choice.  Very anxious to see what he does with the Gators.
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As it stacks up now, FL fans should not get upset if Meyer just wins the ones he's supposed to.

If he does loes to TN, LSU, and GA, then those are not unreasonable losses. If he loses to SC that would be tragic for him. If he were to lose to Alabama, that wouldn't be considered a bad loss if they're ranked, which they should be when they play you, they could even be undefeated if they're any good at all because the front end of their schedule is light.

You also have FL St. to consider though. That wouldn't be a bad loss if they're ranked, but it would be a nice win for FL.

That game could bump you to a reasonable 7/4 regular season record but I don't think a lot of FL fans would consider it reasonable.
 
#7
#7
The straight answer would be YES. However the article states it well - go after that NC attitude but expect the peach bowl. I think the you guys have a good chance to be great, I just don't think this is the year it happens - too many ???'s. Too much to learn in too little time -
 
#8
#8

Glad to see you post that LG... We know all about hyped fans and school loyalty, but it's good to see you're grounded in the other (reality?) side of the equation too. Good show, ol' boy... :good:
 
#9
#9
Originally posted by OrangeFrenzy@Aug 19, 2005 12:01 PM
Glad to see you post that LG...  We know all about hyped fans and school loyalty, but it's good to see you're grounded in the other (reality?) side of the equation too.  Good show, ol' boy... :good:
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Oh sure, I agree. The reason I posted that article is that it hits both sides of the equation really well. Right now, we are all undefeated. Florida, UT, the Memphis Barber's College, 'bama, USC, Texas, FSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and Tulane all have the same right to claim to be the best in the land because, as of right now, no one has a better record than our own respective team!!!

If UT beats Florida, you will see me post on here a congratulatory note. But if Florida wins that game, I warn you right now that I will be unbearable!!! LOL.

 
#12
#12
Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 19, 2005 11:37 AM
As it stacks up now, FL fans should not get upset if Meyer just wins the ones he's supposed to.

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You're right the after Miss Sta lost to Maine, Florida's loss to Miss. St. was what push Zook out the door. I'd say the worst thing that could happen to Meyer is losing to S Carolina. The media won't left the Spurrier and Meyer thing go until the next meeting.
 
#13
#13
:hi: Florida is good enough to beat anyone on their schedule as is Georgia, Alabama, LSU and Tennessee, at least today. But we haven't played the first game yet and all any of us have to go on is the hype created by the media and our own imaginations. We will start "separating the stove-wood from the kindling" in less than two weeks. When the season starts, "the cream will rise to the top". Isn't it funny how that happens?

On a more serious and specific note, however, I will be completely and unequivocally shocked if the Gamecooks beat the Mastergaiters. The Old Visor Coach simply does not have the talent level in Columbia even if Myers has some positions lacking depth. :bad:

I expect Florida to win that game handily. Florida 31- So.Car. 21. How's that for going out on a limb. :whistling:

I also expect Tennessee to beat Florida and my prediction is Tennessee 28 -Florida 21. Yep, that'll be 3 years in a row and in the "Mud-Hole" too. :gun:

Let's "Get It On!"
I can't wait to hear those words, "It's Football Time In Tennessee"

:cool: :cool: :cool:
 
#15
#15
First and foremost, I am interested in one Sport. That's Volunteer Football, the only sport, from my perspective.

I am such a Vol fan that my mother had me born with "Orange Hair". Time has taken its tole though and now I am more of a Strawberry Blond. Never, no never, will be gray.

Let's "Get It Own" and then let's "Gitter Done" :naughty: :naughty:

I must say this first game will be interesting. I had the pleasure of watching Watson Brown play in High School as well as college. He and his brother Mack were the stars of the Cookeville High School team. I watched Cookeville with the Browns play against Crossville with Curt Watson as their star running back.

By the way, I was born and raised in beautiful downtown Smithville, TN many long years ago.



:cool: :cool: :cool:
 
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