Game Haiku:
Swamp rocking again
Lane persona non grata
Gators got mojo
Praises:
Let's start with before the game even started... Uncle Mo has taken up shop and with DJ at quarterback - there is a believe...no an Insistance that we'll win. The fans believe it, the players believe it, the coaches believe it and recruits believe it.
Adversity was shrugged off like an annoying gnat and stuck to Ole MIss - a deflected TO - so what... trailing due to shock and awe - no sweat - stop them on 4th and methodically and physically dominate their D on the tying drive. A well meant TO at the end prevented a FS and 10 sec run off - whatever... get 1 ... check that - get 2 Ints after the first was reversed... truely dominant performance by the whole team.
Florida dominating Ole Miss at 3rd/4th and short and their play in the red zone. The D was inspiring and the team unity and cohesion compared to the other sideline the last 2 weeks is so telling when the other sideline had so much riding on the games. Napier's the real deal - he just waited to last possible moment to show the world and now is blossoming to become a dominant force.
Felt great having MJ back out on senior night and getting the winning TD... He has represented the Gators well
Postulates:
* How bout the job Gators D coaches have done since the bye week (Texas was an abhoration and game tape burned). The DB's who were 2nd and 3rd strings growing right before our eyes. the front 7 shutting down the Rebels running game, making Dart one dimensional
* Clock management still needs refinement - the seesaw approach to the first half and 4th quarter tempo after getting the lead drew some angst
* Won last 4 in the Swamp... beat FSU and win the bowl game - that's a 4 game win streak and an 8-5 finish playing a ridiculous schedule (imagine what Indiana or Penn St's record would be). Especially after the disasterous start.
* Only losses since first bye week - OT vs Tennessee - which we domininated for most of the game, Georgia - which with a full game from DJ - who knows and Texas - which with DJ out and half the normal starters - was a foregone conclusion. This bandwagon is on rocket fuel and if you have gotten on board - it's too late as we have taken off.
* With DJ unable to run - really impressed with how he's grown as a pocket passer. First TD to Badger and the numerous near sacks putting it only where the receiver can get it - truly special and easy to see why he's a generational type player.
* Nice to hear the Swamp roar to life on TV - there is no place as fearsome or as loud as when the Gators are rolling - to a new generation - welcome to the Swamp.
* Wonder what Lane's thinking - from slam dunk - let's start looking for real estate in Gainesville - to underperforming - losing to Florida, LSU and KY in one season and with the portal - it giveth and now it will taketh - as many players will be turning pro - what will his reclamation project look like in Oxford this offseason.
* Walter Nolan will be drafted in the first round based on today's tape - what a talent and Jake's no slouch.
* Would like to see Billy find a recruit that can he beat Mario on and stuff it to him. Despite Mario potentially making the playoffs - Florida is set longer term for success.
* Florida has positioned themselves well for a potential top 25 finish and a preseason top 15 ranking.-
* Florida won the turnover battle and the 3rd down battle
* Recruiting question - does this momentum change the # of HS recruits for the 25 class? Does it go from 16-18 to 18-21?
* Saturday afternoons/evenings are so much sweeter when the Gators win to start the day - I miss this feeling and truly appreciate it now.
