The Butterfly Effect

The Butterfly Effect is a metaphor for how small, seemingly inconsequential, changes at one point in a system can produce broader sometimes effects.  It is usually referred to in the vein of when a butterfly flaps in wings in Asia it can cause a tsnami in New York.  Last Tuesday the butterfly flapped its wings in Suwanee Georgia as the Florida Gators got their first commitment of the Jim McElwain era, Daniel Imatorbhebhe, a three-star tight end.

In the flurry and whirlwind that enveloped the Gator program over the past few weeks, I think the time has arrived to savor a small victory and look into the crystal ball to see how this seemingly inconsequential event affected the future for Mr. Imatorbhebhe and the Florida Gators.

As many of you know, I am an eternal optimist, especially when it comes to the Gators.  So let me take you on a whimsical journey and let’s project optimistically into the future and see where the program will be heading.

The Bowl Game

After receiving the news that Coach Mac got his first commitment, the team rallies and has its best three weeks of practice the entire season.  As we take the field against Eastern Carolina, there are gleams in the eyes of Coaches DJ Durkin and Kurt Roper, blessed with the knowledge that they can’t lose their jobs, they throw caution to the wind.  They each coach the games of their lives.

Confirming the suspicions of Gator arm chair quarterbacks everywhere, the offense looks completely different and opened up.  The play calling is brilliant and timely, it looks as if the “facilities” and athlete dormitories had nothing to do with it after all.  There are passes on first down and our quarterback play improves.  Quarterback Treon Harris, after taking his driving test and getting his license, throws for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns, all four of them to Andre Debose.  Matt Jones goes out on a high note with over 100 yards rushing and a touchdown.

The stellar defensive backfield, especially the safeties, improves as the unit combines for five interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns, one each for Jalen Tabor and Vernon Hargreaves III.  Dante Fowler, Jr. also gets in on the action with 3 sacks and a forced fumble.  In a stunning twist, the MVP of the game is given to Daniel Imatorbhebhe for rallying the Gators.

In accepting the MVP award from his living room, he informs the Gator Nation that he has talked defensive coaches Travaris Robinson and Brad Lawing into staying at Florida.  Finally, in a Machiavellian twist no one saw coming he announces that Billy Napier is our new offensive coordinator, leaving Bama with no wide receiver coach for their game against Oregon for the National Championship the next week.

To no one’s surprise Bama wins the National Championship game against Oregon and restoring the SEC’s rightful place atop college football.  However, after the game, Nick Saban announces his retirement from coaching football.  He finally smiles and coolly lights a victory cigar with several $100 bills as he walks out of the press conference.  He cites numerous issues including ridiculous fan expectations, the facilities being too nice for Bama, and having lost out on the Imatorbhebhe sweepstakes as the major reasons for stepping down as head coach.  Bama fans are left with an embarrassing coaching search, with Florida already having already taken their number one choice; Bama goes with a Saban defensive coordinator with no prior head coaching experience, Kirby Smart.  I think we all know how that ends.

Recruiting

After starting an avalanche in recruiting over the Christmas break, Imatorbhebhe enrolls early and helps land the rest of class including such future Gator greats as Byron Cowart, CeCe Jefferson, Martez Ivey and Jalen Merrick.  Overall we end up with a Top 5 class, surprising many pundits including Gator Country’s own Andrew Spivey.

The class is well rounded and addresses depth and need at the most critical positions, especially offensive line and linebacker.  Moreover, after missing out on offensive recruits in Florida over the past few years, the Gators finally land some important home grown offensive talent in Jordan Scarlett and George Campbell, who makes a last second switch from Florida State.  Later, they both relate how crucial Imatorbhebhe’s commitment to the University of Florida was in getting them to come to Florida.

Finally, after meeting with newly minted University of Florida President Doctor W. Kent Fuchs, Imatorbhebhe and Coach Mac convince Dr. Fuchs to allow the Gators to over sign our recruiting classes to address lingering depth issues.  Suddenly, the future looks a little brighter in Gainesville.

Next Season

The Gators struggle a little in 2015, adjusting to a new offensive and the meshing of a new coaching staff.  The offense gradually improves over the course of the season.  The Gators are denied a berth in the SEC Championship game by a last second lost to South Carolina in Columbia.  South Carolina wins the East and wins its first SEC Championship and Coach Spurrier’s last.

Highlights of the year including beating Tennessee (really, they couldn’t beat us under Muschamp, what makes you think they will start now?), Georgia, and Florida State.  Imatorbhebhe shows flashes of brilliance all year as a true freshman and by the end of the season is the featured receiving threat.

However, after the season, a two-year secret federal investigation’s findings are revealed publicly about Florida State and its football program.  The sweeping allegations concern preferential treatment by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Florida State football program.  Several arrests are made and lawsuits are filed against the university and several of its former players.  The NCAA steps in and puts crippling sanctions on the Florida State football the program including scholarship reductions, forfeited wins, and restrictions on recruiting.  The sanctions result in an exodus of players from the Florida State program.

Moreover, after two seasons of Jay Gruden, Daniel Snyder wants to give Gus Malzahn’s offense a try in the NFL.  In a stunning cruel twist of fate FSU transfers Dalvin Cook and Ermon Lane both end up at Auburn and languish on the bench because they play too fast for new head coach Will Muschamp’s patented ground and pound attack.

2016 and Beyond

In 2016 the Gators return to the SEC Championship Game and carve up Will Muschamp’s Auburn Tigers.  In the blow out win SECCG MVP Daniel Imatorbhebhe catches 2 touchdown passes and exceeds 150 yards receiving.  In the College Playoff Championship Game against Oklahoma, Imatorbhebhe catches 2 more touchdown passes securing our first National Championship under Coach McElwain.  McElwain later quips, “I knew I had to be coach here in a year that ends in 6, it pretty much guarantees you a National Championship; you can’t break that trend.”

Finally, in 2018, with 3 SEC Championships and 3 National Championships, 3 Mackey Awards, and a Heisman Trophy behind him, Daniel Imatorbhebhe leaves the Gators for the NFL.  Having helped reshape the Gator Nation back into a winning and healthy program he collects his degree and is a first round selection to the Miami Dolphins, who still can’t seem to make the playoffs even in articles where my wildest dreams come true.

In 2029, after a long and fruitful NFL Hall of Fame career, Daniel Imatorbhebhe takes Florida Field one more time to accept his rightful place in the Ring of Honor.  The Swamp is adorned with many more SEC and National Championship signage.  There are more jersey’s of more Heisman winners.  On that day, he is inducted alongside his recently retired former coach Jim McElwain.  As they walk off the field together, McElwain turns to Imatorbhebhe and simply says, “Thanks, for getting all this started.”

Christopher has followed Gator football since he stepped on campus in January 1994. After getting degrees from the University of Florida in 1997 he attended law school at the University of Florida Levin College of Law and graduated in 2000. He currently owns a construction business with his father and two brothers and practices law in Stuart, Florida. He brings plenty of experience to his writing as an arm chair quarterback and professional second-guesser with the extraordinary ability of hindsight. Christopher enjoys his free time reading, writing, and spending time with friends and family. Follow him on twitter @clscammell.

6 COMMENTS

    • As far as I know that stuff isn’t legal here and I swear Coach Mac didn’t bring any with him from Colorado.

  1. The best read in a while…

    May the force be with you…

    just came from Mass. God bless the Gators, God bless the GC writers and creaters and their families and Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all the posters and Gator folk out there everywhere. Go Gators :)