Well, while still very ugly on defense, at least we had a pulse on offense this past weekend. Going into the bye week, we can hopefully get guys healthy and work on changing our scheme on defense. I think UCF comes into the game with the #1 rushing offense in the country. We need to stack 8 in the box and commit to stopping the run. If they can beat us in the air, then so be it, but I will lose my mind if we go zone and think our 3 or 4 DL's will stop their running game. Something has to give on defense. We have good athletes so it is either heart and effort or coaching.

On offense, looks like we went back to letting Mertz be Mertz. Hit short passes and let the athletes extend the plays. This is his strength and also doesn't make the OL hold their blocks very long. It can also open up the run game. Bringing in DJ will then allow us to keep them honest with defending the long ball which he is better at and can also scramble if needed.

I am still way down on Billy but I still want my Gators to win. The UCF game is going to be challenging and probably a high scoring game. If we can get a win, at least it can give the players hope.

Pretty good one as usual !

The latest on a lot of big names over the weekend:

Now up to #9 in total offense, doing it with a bunch of FCS transfer kids and a RS Fr QB.


More importantly, Pitt is 4-0, after going 3-9 last year. Pretty amazing what a new offensive coordinator and philosophy can accomplish.

KADE BELL.

They look as poorly coached as we do....at least on offense

Edit: I see why he told RR to pound bricks

"Coach Roberts is always great when it comes to figuring out offenses or if he played against a previous team or somebody, he's great at pinpointing what they like to do or what's their tendencies or what they like to get into. Coach Roberts is a guru when it comes to stuff like that. He knows the plays, he knows what's coming and I feel like he definitely used his past experiences and resources to get us information." - Boone

Don't worry about this game as Miss State is terrible (got crushed by Toledo) and Coach Roberts knows their QB so we will be able to limit their offense big time.

IMO with the right coach, if we can keep most of the young skill players on O and get our OL/DL right through the portal/recruiting, we could make a 12 team playoff in 2-3 years. The O talent is real IMO, just underutilized and poorly coached/schemed

Higgy - I didn’t see a ⛳️ prefix to select. My apologies.

Has to be licking his chops after watching us trying to tackle today.
Game could get ugly.

Our offensive line dominated. I know it was against an inferior defensive line, but they performed better yesterday than they did vs the week 2 cupcake. I actually have hope they have taken some steps forward to being able to perform well more consistently and against better competition. Do any of you still have hope for this unit that has struggled so far?

I will be visiting friends in Knoxville the weekend of the UF - Tenn game and I’m looking for 4 tickets. Does anyone have some they aren’t using and willing to sell?

Interesting.

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I watched Tennessee this year and I watched Miami pummel Florida and what I can tell you is that they have spent big money on building the defensive line.

Florida has absolutely no chance to beat Tennessee, unfortunately

You can talk all you want to about getting a head coach for Florida Napier, this Napier, that, Kiffin, this, Kiffin that.

It’s all about buying players. And if you can emphasize quarterback and defensive line, that’s where you win.

Hopefully that employing a general manager will help. Florida has got to step up their game with acquiring top talent through big dollars.

What time are the “big boosters” meeting tomorrow?!?!?!?

Lol…

Alex Golesh Has all these low rated USF recruits playing very well — DJ would kill it in this offense

Alex is moving up my coach list into top 3

There are 134 FBS teams... and only THREE are being coached by someone who has PROVEN they can win it all:

Kirby, Dabo and Mack Brown.

Every single other team is simply HOPING and PRAYING that they have the right guy.

Lanning, Kiffin, Kelly, Sarkisian, Riley, Day, etc. All just hopefuls.

Yet Urban Meyer, who is only 60 years old and has won THREE titles himself... is not currently coaching. He has a ton of Gator love and connections with former players, and would be able to generate fundraising and hire great assistants.

You want a big name splash with credentials... who might actually come?

You HAVE to make that call.

They won yesterday so I will assume yes?

https://www.barstoolsports.com/blog...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer

Stricklin-so Billy what changes are you planning on making in the bye week.

Billy- oh getting the players rested properly will be key.

Stricklin- Billy you’re fired.

Billy - Scott, what I don’t understand

Stricklin- Billy you just gave up 400+ yards to the worst offense in the sec and youre focused on proper rest? Good riddance!

Not a bad press conference. Took accountability.

Clear answers.

His problem is clock speed - in all dimensions. I listen to him, but only at 1.25x on YouTube.

Press hit him immediately with the key questions. Tough questions on his future, recruiting and the defense.

Good for them. Really good for them.

Lets go beat Miss State.

1st Quater:

Gators in Blue tops, white bottoms and will kick to start this game after winning the toss. I wish we would take the ball and go and score. 1st and 10 Miss St quick pass loss of three yards nice pursuit by the Gators D. MST another quick pass about a three yard gain and first third and long of the day – Pass complete but good tackle by Shemar James and a quick three and out and punt time…

1st and 10 Gators and here comes Graham Mertz: From the 28 of UF – Carry right up the middle gain of two. 2nd and 10 – would love to see deep shots early and often fyi. 2nd and 8 – Mertz to Dike on a check down gain of about 5 and a big 3rd and 3 for the Gators – and quick pass to Livingston and no gain and a three and out for the Gators.

2nd Series for the Bulldogs from the MST 25-yard line and a huge hit by Rocco Underwood! 1st and 10 Bulldogs and incomplete on first down, dropped. 2nd and 10 – MST has been outscored 55-6 in the first half and our first Whittemore sighting for MST and a first down. From the 36 – QB keeps it for gain of about two yards. 2nd and 8 - run up the middle for a few yards. 3rd and 4 – MST going fast and up tempo – horrible pass so punt time again for MST.

Gators ball from the 15-yard line: Mertz back out for the Gators – pass to MJ gain of about two or so and UF playing the underneath game early and often. 2nd and 8 – looking for Badger and bad throw so 3rd and long for the Gators from the 18 yard line and here come the cow bells – and that is the first first down on a 3rd down in the 1st QT all year for UF on the MJ check down. UF going fast back up to the line from the 26 – WR screen to Mizell for about four yards. 2nd and 6 and UF going quickly again – Webb for a run up the guy for about 7 yards and the second first down of the game for the Gators now at the UF 37 yard line first down. Mizell quick pass for about 9 and he has nice burst, two catches already for Mizell….2nd and 1 – deep shot come on – tucks and Mertz gains 16 looked like he was trying to go for the wheel route that was covered. 1st and 10 from the MST 39 – bad pass Mertz roughing the passer tack on 15 yards…

1st and 10 from the 24-yard line with 6:32 with DJ Lagway and DJ carries it for about 3 make it 2nd and 7 – MG right up the middle again small gain and 3rd and 5 - Mertz nice scramble and runs for the first down. 1st and G from the 9 and MJ up the middle again this time for about four yards. 2nd and G – from the 6-yard line – MJ up the middle again for about two this time and 3rd and G from the 4 – TD as Boardingham uncovered for the TD 7-0 Gators. with 6:17 left to play in the 1st QT.

3rd Series coming up for MST still in the 1st QT from the MST 39 after a nice return by MST – Bridges and Douglas at Safety—2nd and 4 after a six yard run – another run no gain..run to the UF 45 right up the gut for a first down – tempo – Jet sweep down to the UF 36 or so. 2nd and 1 – nice pass but a flag down and gain of 25 two flags down UF had 12 on the field…1st and 10 from the UF 11 and run up the gut for about four yards. 2nd and 6 from the 8 – another run up the middle down to the three yard line. 3rd and 2 and four down territory and they don’t need four as it’s a 1st and G from the one yard line – TD 7-7 with :21 seconds left in the first quarter

1st and 10 Gators and here comes DJ Lagway for the second time today from the UF 25-yard line. Forced one into double coverage and high with a flag down looks like offsides on the D, 1st and 5 now..pass to Burke out to the UF 40 and first down.

7-7 and 1st and 10 from the UF 40-yard line. MG fumbles after a big first down run for MJ wonder if he will get benched like Baugh did?

1st and 10 UF at the 35 yard line and the announces are not even calling this Austin Armstrong defense anymore but the Ron Roberts D.

1st and 10 UF at the 35 yard line Mertz back in the game and run up the guy for a few by J. Jackson. 2nd and 8 – underneath check down to J Jackson for a first down to the 50 – pass to Badger to the 43..2nd and 4 pass to Badger again at the 32 yard line and gain of 12, 1st and 10 -and screen to J Jackson down to the MST 15-yard line and a flag down after a 17 yard gain. Block in the back on Crenshaw Dickson – 1st and 5 and Mizell with another catch and first down at the MST 20 – BOOM perfect pass to Burke TD Gators.

14-7 Gators, 1st and 10 MST from the 18-yard line. Run up the gut for about two then run again for three so another 3rd down this time 5 for MST – under ten to play until the half – PBU by Jason Marshall and punt time…

UF ball 1st and 10 from the MST 40-after a great return by Dike – short field coming up for the Gators with Mertz at QB – pass to Livingston for a gain of 8 – 2nd and 2 – 12th consecutive completion by Mertz to Hansen and another TD pass this one 36-yards and 21-7 Gators.

21-7 Gators. MST ball 1st and 10 from the 25 and Mertz off to a 15/16 for 147 yards and three touchdowns already. QB tucks and runs for about 4 tackle by Gumbs – 2nd and 6 under 9 to play – run for about 4 yards make it 3rd and 2 – MST runs hurry up a ton and sticking with it – first down and missed tackle by Denson first down from the MSU 40 but a flag, 1st and 15 – 7:34 to play – up the gut for about 8 or so. 2nd and 6 or so – run around right side first down at the 46-yard line – no one open and QB keeper for about two. 2nd and 8 – from the UF 44 – TOUGH 18 yard run right side again 24 RUNS TOUGH. At the UF 24 – TFL by Pyburn 2nd and 14

WR screen and first down but flag down and luckily for the UF D MST killing itself with holding calls killing an earlier drive and more than likely killing this drive. Under five to play until half – 2nd and 24 from the 39 yard line of UF – Run for about two. 3rd and 22 after the Grayson Howard tackle. 4:30 clock running – 21-7 Gators…..deep pass and Castell drops a pick – should have caught that ball right in the hands and they take a delay of game punt coming…

4:16 to go in the half 1st and 10 Gators from the UF 9-yard line – DJ in the game for the Gators - MJ gain of one yard – pass to Livingston loss of a yard maybe. 3rd and 9 for the Gators under 3 to play in the first half – QB Keeper first down with a 13 yard gain. 1st and 10 – from the UF 24 – MJ runs over a guy for 11 more. 1st and 10 at the UF 34 – quick pass to MJ who was out wide for 12 more – 1st and 10 – from the UF 46 yard line now at the two minute timeout mark and man MST is HORRIBLE.

2 minutes left in the first half and 1st and 10 Gators from the 46 of UF – MJ with a carry for about 3 or so and player down it is MJ so official timeout but he looks ok. 2nd and 7 – Webb in at RB now – Webb to the 40 after a 11 yard gain. MST gave up 365 rushing yards vs Arizona State earlier this season. DJ deep down to Badger inside the 20 yard line, 27 yard gain. Great concentration by Badger. From the 13 yard line they say and now Webb for a few down to the ten yard line. 2nd and 7

2nd and 7 with 1:23 to play in the first half from the MST 10 – jet sweep J Jackson TD Gators 28-7

Just like that we have a 28-21 game and yes it is hard to watch right now for sure..unreal MST scored before the half...6:38 to go in the 3rd QT and a 28—21 game and UF starts at the 25-yard line

UF ball with 5:41 to play in a 28-21 game UF on top – UF 35 yard line—underthrown for Burke and a flag…mark it 15 yards forward for the Gators at the 50 now 1st and 10 – flag on MST offsides. 1st and 5 now from the 45 – Mertz perfect pass to the 17 to Dike gain of 30 then MJ with a short gain of 5 actually...

1st and 10 MST with about 3:30 to play in the third quarter. 15 yard gain for MST to the WIDE OPEN TE. 1st and 10 at the MST 40 – UF with some pressure and incomplete 2nd and 10 – now call it 3rd and long after a short run – 3rd and 8 – and the RB runs through entire D but another flag might save UF again….no flag…from the UF 40 now and MST marching down UFs throat for the third time in a row going back to that last possession of the first half – 13 more on the ground around right end to the UF 27 – incomplete but Denson with the PI so another 15 yards. 1st and 10 now from the UF 15—QB keeper but he looks banged up for five more yards. 2nd and 5 now at the UF 10 – run to the 8 yard line so 3rd and about 3 maybe – no gain. 4th and 3 – MST going for it – slant pass and incomplete but PI on UF and Denson again he needs to sit asap. and 1st and G from the UF 3 up the middle to the one yard line and that might be last play of the third with clock ticking under ten seconds to go and they do - great tackle by Pyburn but made it back to the LOS. End of the 3rd QT

4th QUARTER

Run up the middle on 3rd and G Great play by the interior of the DL so a HUGE 4th and one entire 4th QT to play – horrible pitch and fumble by MST and that should do it folks.

1st and 10 DJ back in and run up the middle with Baugh for a couple now 2nd and 7 from the UF 13 – bad pass to Burke behind him but Burke makes the catch to the UF 25 – good adjustment by Marcus. 1st and 10 – Baugh for about 9 yards 2nd and 1 now for UF. Quick pass to Abrams for a couple and first down. 1st and 10 -DJ play action to Livingston for about 9 yards to the 45 – 2nd and 1 and here comes a run on 2nd and 1 and UF has two incompletions so far LOL – Baugh with a HUGE run all the way to the 22 yard line massive opening – Baugh TOUGH run to the 12 around the left edge of the OL –Under ten to go in the game and UF about to put this one away with Baugh – Webb to the five yard line. 2nd and 2 now – 9:30 and clock ticking away for the Gators – No gain by Webb…3rd and 3 or so. DJ Fumble and OL recovers in the endzone Austin Barber TD Gators and wow UF is getting VERY lucky

1st and 10 MST with the Gators up 42-21. 8:24 to play – QB change at MST TRFR now – incomplete pass outside – things might get ugly now with shapen out of the game – run for about nine yards and MST running nicely today vs the UF front – Booth for five more yards and a first down. From the MST 40 – deep ball incomplete and how about James Madison they have 60 on UNC in the THIRD QT RIGHT NOW WOW – 2nd and 10 – another nine yard run and MST moving the ball rather easily for the most part and another run for a first down roughly around the 50 – pass for about 18 yards to the UF 32 yard line --- QB scramble no gain. 2nd and 10 clock at 6:40 and ticking – now a TO on the field.

2nd and 10 from the UF 32 yard line – incomplete pass so 3rd and long – 5:53 to play – and a flag on the D so automatic first down lol wow….from the UF 22 yard line – first win over a power four team since the USC win…that is nuts. QB keeper no gain 2nd and 10 – Run no gain so 3rd and 10 – easy throw over the middle and another first down now 1st and G from the 9 – and right up the middle by Daniels for the MST TD, unreal….

Mertz in at QB 18/20 today – MJ runs to the 45-yard line so 2nd and 5 now and glad MST not using timeouts lol – MJ with a run for a first down clock ticking and at 3:30 and counting and UF has 228 rushing yards and 495 total yards on the day getting ready to run the record to .500 at 2-2 heading into the bye week – MJ run no gain maybe one and now they do use a TO – ugh. 2nd and 10 – from the 36 of MST – MJ lost five yards and another TO for Miss St. 3rd and 15 from the 41 yard line and 2:45 left in the game – and UF is getting ready to play FOUR teams ranked in the top 6 in America…..Mertz to Dike short of the first down about 4th and 3 maybe and a TO by State..and looks like UF will kick a FG --and UF goes up 45-28 on the long FG and it was hammered....

1st and 10 and incomplete now 2nd and 10 – pass for about five or six so third and 5 and then MST pass for about 8 and a first down at the two minute mark left to play....wonder how many UF fans are going to try and watch Ole Miss tonight lol pass for about nine or so clock running thankfully...and a UF player down so now the clock is stopping...Dijon Johnson. 1:38 to go come on DJ haha....Mertz 19/21 for 201 and four total TDs..Lagway 7/7 for 76 yards. 2nd and 1 bomb and almost a great catch by the WR. 3rd and 1 with 1:31 to play....run for a first down...scramble for about five yards...at the UF 45 and now a 2nd and 5 or so with 1:12 to go - James Madison has 63 points with the entire 4th QT to play vs North Carolina WOW....3rd and 5 - and sack by Aaron Chiles coming off the edge first career sack for the Gators I believe -- 4th down and clock ticking away on the bulldogs ---and great throw on 4th and 15 to Whittemore all the way down to the UF 32 yard line --- incomplete pass with Boone on the batted ball -- 2nd and 10 - big play to the UF 4 or so 13 seconds to go - and this is the story of the game MST pretty much went up and down the field but a couple timely flags and turnover on downs cost them or this could have been big troubles for the Gators. PI on Davis and 1st and G from the 2 with five seconds and the Gators hold and ball game

Man where to start on this defense....all u hear is, we're going to put our players in the best position to be successful. Not true, I just watch us run a 4-1 as MSST run it down our throat all the way to the 10 yard line. That's coaching people, and then call a timeout inside the 10 yard line. We just went up 28- 7. Why wait till they get inside the 10 to call a timeout. Calk a timeout when ur defense is get washed up the middle 3 times in a row

Is his buyout restrictive? Any chance he gets an offer from a Big Time school this off-season? In a tight one with Vandy, but he’s done well at Mizzou.