Rivalry Games

[UF_GATOR_FAN]

What do you think is the best way to approach these contests? I'm wondering what Coach McElwain will do when he gets us ready for UT, UGA, and FSU in the sense that: will he treat it like "just another game" or will he "set these games apart"?

During the glory days of the Meyer regime, there was something different about the team when they got ready to play our rivals--Rocky Top blaring, the timeouts against UGA, the domination of all things FSU. He knew those teams were different for the players and fans, and treated them as such--even for all that ludicrous talk about him "not getting the UF culture" because he was not from here, he seemed to get it just as well as someone like Spurrier. The results speak for themselves in my opinion.

Contrast that with Muschamp and his disastrous time here. Mus wanted to treat every game like it was just the same, and it showed when it came time to play our rivals. Supporters of Mus will obviously cite his UT record as an example, but I think that is easily explained as their coaching staff being even worse than Mus.

My concern is that McElwain, being a Saban, protégé, will mimic Muschamp more than Meyer. I guess we'll see in 2 weeks. I'm looking forward to the time where we ruled our rivals, and am hopeful that it will start again this year.

 

[MJWilliamson]

The UK game is pretty big this year. So we should see how he prepares his team for the SEC opener on the road.

 

[Michi-Gator]

I think its slightly more complex than you are making it out to be. Meyer, like other greats such as Harbaugh, Belicheat, etc, are wired differently and operate within an "us v the world" mentality. Its just how they operate.

Spurrier was always able to poke at the opponents and had success against them (moderately so v F$U). But Spurrier, being a Gator, never was questioned.

Chump, being a Dawg, rubbed a lot of people the wrong way by treating the Cocktail Party as "just another game". Add to it that Chump lost as many games to UGa in 4 seasons as Spurrier, Zook and Meyer COMBINED did in the previous 21 years.

Mac, is a Saban-ite like Chump (why do you think Foley hired him, after all he wants to build Bama East) BUT I think its safe to say that Mac will not have the same issues. While he is likely to end the streak against UTn by the situation he was handed, I think he has the tools to handle it. I have said time and again, Chump told you in his introductory presser that he would fail to epic levels, some just chose not to listen. Mac's actions prove he was MUCH more ready for this. Thats not to say he is a lock to find success, but he gets 'it'.

Now if he comes out the first time he faces Bama and starts talking nonsense I will be concerned, but it just doesn't seem to be in his MO

 

[Gator Fever]

I am wondering if UT will even be considered one of our bigger games in a few years since it has lost its significance in recent years and wasn't one of our big rivals years ago.

 

[UF_GATOR_FAN]

That would be really unfortunate if it was. I think Neyland is one of the greatest away venues around.

 

[passoverGator]

I am wondering if UT will even be considered one of our bigger games in a few years since it has lost its significance in recent years and wasn't one of our big rivals years ago.

They seem to be getting better and we don't know about our team yet. As soon as they beat us, it will be big again.

 

[Dannygator1989]

Mac isn't really a "Sabanite."

He was there for a few years but has been his own man for a very long time.

And seriously? The "it's just another game" line is something many coaches uses its saying "we prepare like we always do."

But I get the vitriol.

 

[Michi-Gator]

Mac isn't really a "Sabanite."

He was there for a few years but has been his own man for a very long time.

And seriously? The "it's just another game" line is something many coaches uses its saying "we prepare like we always do."

But I get the vitriol.

I can agree to an extent because if the first two games are an indicator, mac's uber conservative years at Bama appear to be outliers, not the norm. Thus far every indication points to him bringing his CSU offense here.

But I do believe it was his association with Saban and his stint at Bama that drew Folley to him.

 

[MJWilliamson]

They seem to be getting better and we don't know about our team yet. As soon as they beat us, it will be big again.

It is certainly a big game to them. And I always consider that game to be big.

The fact that CBS picked it up for the marquee 3:30pm slot suggests that the college football world thinks it is a big game too.

 

[MJWilliamson]

I can agree to an extent because if the first two games are an indicator, mac's uber conservative years at Bama appear to be outliers, not the norm. Thus far every indication points to him bringing his CSU offense here.

I agree with this. The fact that he was pissed off about the performance of his offense last week, when Muschamp would have been delighted, speaks volumes too.