The assumption has always been that Muschamp is a defensive genius, and so we would always have a great defense while he tried to sort out the offense. Coming off of last year's debacle, and with a new offensive system, that was critical this year.
If yesterday's defensive players had been well organized, with a good game plan, but had just been outplayed by better or more experienced athletes, then I could have lived with a dominant Alabama team. (e.g. if Cooper had simply out run our defensive backs by a step or two...) But how do we allow the nation's leading receiver to run around freely, completely unchallenged? How did we leave a tight end completely uncovered? Our secondary looked totally confused the entire game, and the defensive play calling was abysmal. Both are on the coaches. And before we accept the coaches' explanation that several of our DBs are just freshmen, we should remember that it was a freshman who shut down our best receiver throughout the entire game.
I read a quote by Sabin after the game, where he said that Robinson was a real threat at receiver, so they made sure to keep him covered. Well now, there is an interesting defensive strategy. Why in the world can't our world-class defensive coaches figure out the same thing about Cooper?
The offense was equally frustrating. Roper called good plays. Our receivers were open all afternoon, but either Jeff didn't see them, or he couldn't get the ball to them or they would drop it when he did.
I think it is clear by now that Jeff Driskel simply does not have the mental agility to succeed at quarterback in the SEC. He is a great guy, and a physically-gifted athlete, but if he hasn't put it together mentally by now, he never will. I am not saying we must bench him immediately, but we must at least start playing two quarterbacks, and give Harris a chance to show what he can do. There are freshmen quarterbacks flourishing all over the country, and I see no reason not to see whether Harris (or Grier) can be one of them. Staying exclusively with Driskel is clearly a losing strategy, and is a sure path to a coaching search at the end of the year.
I have always liked Muschamp, and I really want him to succeed, but I am really starting to think that, like Lane Kiffin, he is a great coordinator but a lousy head coach. We'll see how the next few games go, and those should make it abundantly clear where we really stand. Muschamp points out that the East is still in front of us for the taking, and he's right. As long as that is still possible, I say let him coach. When that is no longer true, I think it will be decision time.
Rob
Sent from my iPhone
In the end, I've come to this conclusion: Muschamp loses to UTn, he's history, and I'm ready to support it. Rumors are that the reason he's lasted so long is that the influential Gator Boosters ($$$) really like him. As bad as UF appears to be at the moment, it appears the SEC East is still there for the taking. I think it'd be hard for him to keep his job if the team can't take the East.Granted, the offense was barely on the field (I'm not sure how many plays for the entire game, but there was only 6 for the entire 3rd quarter). Nearly all the scoring was due to the defense or was done on a short field (again, thanks to the defense).As some of you know, I've been reticent to call for Muschamp's head. I have always thought he is actually a great coach who needed time (and to learn to trust an OC). The Roper hire appears to actually be a winner - the plays were there yesterday, they just weren't executed (Driskel overthrow, Driskel throw to a double-covered/triple-covered receiver, Driskel actually is on target and the WR drops the pass).That being said, yesterday gave me a serious case of unease. I'm still not ready to drop the hammer because a) what if he DOES right the ship; the transition is going to set the program back another couple of years while we have the usual loss of players/recruits whenever there is a change; and b) I'm still not sure who UF could get right now that would make a real difference in the short period UF and its fans extend to new coaches. BUT - 645+ yards given up to anyone is an embarrassment, I don't care if the defense was gassed; too many blown coverages and confusion in the secondary; how was there little to no pressure on the Bama QB after everyone had said the OL was Bama's weakness? That was depressing and demoralizing.--On Sat, Sep 20, 2014 at 8:49 PM, Jerry D. Belloit <belloit@clarion.edu> wrote:I am not giving up yet. If we lose to Tennessee after a week to heal and practice, then its dead man walking. We should have played Harris at least some. Perhaps we could have put him in a Wildcat formation.
Jerry
From: GatorTalk <Gatortalk@googlegroups.com>
Reply-To: GatorTalk <Gatortalk@googlegroups.com>
Date: Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 8:09 PM
To: GatorTalk <Gatortalk@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [gatortalk] What do you think about today's game?
--I wanted to wait until tomorrow to reply....
Our D-line created no pressure on the QB. Our young secondary seems lost at times-- blow coverages, not covering a receiver, etc... Lame Kiffing made us look bad. LAME!
Driskel is improved but not yet comfortable. I think this moves too fast for him, has too many options/reads. He looks overwhelmed at times.
Christy was out MVP. Robinson was a no-show. Receivers keep dropping balls-- is Leak's job in jeopardy? Receivers run routes, get open, drop balls. Driskel threw into double coverage a couple times. Flat out missed a lot-- arm slot is not right, he is too over the top. Liked his choice to run more-- some worked, some did not, but it forces defense to account for it.
Bama, as down as they are in bama terms, is still way better than us. Much deeper than us, much better coached than us. Was good to see our penalties down, we didn't shoot ourselves in the foot there-- just with the blow defense on those two plays and the lack of offensive cohesion.
Muschamp's halftime comments bothered me. Said we needed to run more. We weren't exactly successful with that in the first half, but it was more effective than our passing game. He may still be too involved in the offense.
We were supposed to lose this game. I wish it wasn't as bad, we played touch for a little over a half and melted. Must NOT lose to Tennesse. Can still beat UGA-- they have no passing offense, but then our secondary just gave up 440+ to 'Bama... We stop Gurley and we win. USC is a tougher game-- Spurrier will pick us apart. We must develop an identity on BOTH sides of the ball.
I am not ready to give up on Muschamp yet... We are no worse than any of us expected so no need for alarm or cries for his job. We lost a game we were supposed to lose.
From: Jerry D. Belloit <belloit@clarion.edu>
To: GatorTalk <Gatortalk@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, September 20, 2014 7:17 PM
Subject: [gatortalk] What do you think about today's game?
I am pleased with the D-line in general. They made some mistakes but I think they did well enough to win. I am excited by the turnovers caused by the defense. I am also pleased that they are not giving up.
Our receivers are improved but they overall are not that good. We have had too many dropped balls. Driskel shows a little promise but I am still not convinced he is much more than a middle of a road SEC QB. His skills seem to generally be OK but I did not see the kind of fire and leadership i had hoped to see today. His decision making was a little improved.
I think I we should have had a package or two for Harris to give him some big game experience.
Jerry
Sent from my iPad
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1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions
2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions
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Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996),
Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
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Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996),
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