It is Thanksgiving week and there is much to be thankful for as a Gator fan. First, I want to thank former Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley for figuring out that Jim McElwain was the smart hire. I said last week that if the Gators won in Baton Rouge despite being decimated by injuries it was time to give this coaching staff the credit they deserve. That time has arrived. Back to back division championships in the best conference in college football is impressive. It is even more impressive considering McElwain did not inherit SEC caliber offensive talent. Nearly everyone contributing on offense at this point was brought in by McElwain and his staff meaning they are young and inexperienced. I realize that the offense still leaves much to be desired but that makes winning the SEC East even more amazing.
Second, I am thankful for the Florida Gator defense. I am thankful that Will Muschamp stacked the cupboards with elite defensive talent. I am thankful that defensive coordinator Geoff Collins was hired to organize that talent and put it in a position to succeed. Collins seems to know when to be aggressive and when to suddenly drop back and react. Collins and the defense is why this team has a chance in any game against any team.
Now, about this past Saturday. Was that fun or what? The Gators were clearly outmatched thanks to the unbelievable rash of season-ending injuries the last few weeks. But, these Gators refused to lose. These Gators knew that a win would clinch a second consecutive division title. More importantly, these Gators had absolutely no intention of allowing LSU, their coach, their AD or even their fans to celebrate a win in Baton Rouge that was supposed to be a home game for Florida.
It appeared as if the Gators were going to come just a few seconds short of making that emphatic statement but the Florida defense built a wall at the goal line and denied the Tigers access. That was one of the great goal-line stands in Gator history. Perhaps the greatest. But let’s not forget some other huge plays that secured that win. This victory does not happen without freshman linebacker Vosean Joseph stopping the LSU quarterback in his tracks at the one-yard line. Caleb Brantley’s tackle for a loss on the next play was huge as well. And, of course, with the offense struggling mightily freshman receiver Tyrie Cleveland discarded an LSU defender like an unwanted coat and completed the longest offensive play by an opponent ever at Death Valley. There was the Brantley forced fumble and the CeCe Jefferson sack that helped sustain LSU’s red zone futility. And isn’t it nice to be able to kick field goals?
This was an epic victory. The Gator Nation enjoyed this game. They enjoyed clinching the SEC East knowing what it would do to Tennessee fans who were sure that this was “Their Year” yet again. Gator fans enjoy knowing that this victory put an end to any talk of the fake “O” getting the interim portion removed from his title. Ed Orgeron will not be the coach at LSU next season. I really have never liked that dude. Mostly, Gator fans love that LSU’s whining and sniveling to get the game played at their stadium still resulted in a Tiger loss and now LSU most come to the Swamp for the next two seasons. Karma can be one.
So now the Gators and their fans get to turn their attention to the future. For the players and coaches, their entire focus must be on in-state rival FSU who is playing their best football of the year right now. The Seminoles are a touchdown favorite in this game. It is yet another road game for the Gators as they must travel to Ron Zook Field in Tallahassee. Florida has played only one home game in the second half of the season. That is brutal. A win over FSU would be enormous for so many reasons. It would help instate recruiting. It would keep the Gators playoff hopes alive. Yes, Gator fans, it is still possible for the Gators to make the playoff. In fact, I believe that if Florida can find a way to win the next two games against all odds the Gators WOULD be in the playoff. AND, of course, beating FSU is great because it is beating FSU.
To win this game Florida must first and foremost shut down Dalvin Cook the same way they did Leonard Fournette and Nick Chubb. Nole freshman quarterback Deondre Francois has improved as the season has progressed and FSU has tall physical receivers as always. Still, the Gators must force the Noles to beat them with the passing game. That will probably mean stacking the box to stop the run and leaving the defensive backs exposed in man-to-man coverage. This will be a game where Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson should get their opportunity to make a statement to NFL teams near the end of their college careers. It will take a Herculean defensive performance to win this game. It will take a great defense and a solid running game. The Gator offensive line imposed their will on LSU in the second half to give Florida the opportunity to win that game. It will need to repeat that performance Saturday to come away from the panhandle with a victory.
While the team must focus its attention on FSU, fans can allow themselves the luxury of looking forward to the SEC Championship Game. This game loses some of its importance if the Gators lose to FSU but winning the SEC is always a huge accomplishment. Beat FSU and that game in Atlanta is likely for a berth in the playoff. Nobody gives Florida much chance of upsetting Alabama in Atlanta but the first step toward winning a championship game is being IN the championship game. The Gators have achieved that first step. Anything is possible from here.