PD’s Postulations: Thoughts on the Tennessee Game

At many points during this game Saturday, I picked up the phone to call David Bowie. Because the Gators took us all on a Space Oddity in Neyland Stadium. I was so confused with what I saw on the offense, special teams and in some parts of the defense as well. I was floating weightless and aimless at the end of the life support line, unaware of which direction was Earth and which was Mars. And I had a lot of questions for ground control.

However, each time I picked up the phone to call, I remembered that I don’t know David Bowie and don’t have his phone number, so I would put the phone down and continue my drift. But the questions remained. And I’m floating in a most peculiar way.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Ch-Chan-ges!

I had this column written in my head already. It was pretty clear in the first half, and after the third quarter ended I was ready to start typing. There would be a short paragraph about the nation’s longest scoring streak coming to an end, as well as the longest Gator win streak over Tennessee coming to a close. Mostly though I had questions about what has happened to Kurt Roper. What happened to the up-tempo offense with all the confusing pre-snap motions and the wide-open, super-creative play calling that attacks the field? Are you there Kurt? Is someone with you? Cough once if this is a hostage situation. I also had a large section questioning what happened to the team’s intensity level. The players on offense seemed to be sleep-walking through a high school play about football. No fire. No effort. No fun. While the defense played great, they too lacked the intensity we had seen in the first two and three-quarters games. Other than Demarcus Robinson and Vernon Hargreaves III and a couple others, I had a very hard time picking out any top-level effort going on out there. Tennessee was getting after it. They were going full gas on every play, every player. They demolished our offense but our defense was just too good for them to exploit. Florida was not matching their effort and intensity. Gator players seemed to almost belligerently refuse to make a play. Why?

Then with about eight seconds left in the third quarter, future all-American cornerback Jalen Tabor took advantage of a curiously rare corner blitz call and brought divorce proceedings between Justin Worley and the football. And everything in my writing plan changed. But then, I was not the only one who saw their plans change with that big play.

 Still don’t know what I was waitin’ for;

And my time was runnin’ wild.

Will Muschamp may have been singing those lyrics at some time Saturday afternoon. Except “wild” may have been replaced with “short” because time was running short on the football game, the trajectory of the Gator season and of course the track of his entire Gator tenure. Much like he did in the second half of the Kentucky game he had to have seen his hopes and dreams of his coveted Gator head coaching career flash before his eyes.

Ashes to ashes, funk to funky

We know Major Tom’s a junkie

Strung out in Heaven’s high

Hitting an all-time low

He is a man and a coach who sees very clearly the right and the wrong, the solutions and the corrections, and no doubt is as bewildered as anyone when they do not pan out. But by the end of the Tennessee game, however he had at least one thing figured out: he now knows what he was waiting for.

A true freshman quarterback wearing #3 on his back. He was a Young American. A-a-a-a-l-right!

Okay, so those were lyrics that I misheard for my entire life before online liner note machines were invented. Sue me.

We Can Be Heroes, Forever and Ever

That’s right “we”, because in point of fact it was not just Treon Harris that blew up the game and changed it from a looming shutout loss to the most comfortable 1-point win in school history. As soon as Treon came into the game, the entire offense woke up. They started hitting people. They started blocking and started actually catching the ball and running like they were invested and not just going through rote drills. Heck, even the placekicker woke up for Treon and stepped up his game. Yeah, that was Austin Hardin nailing a 49-yard game-winning field goal. The same Austin Hardin who had missed his last six field goal attempts. Six!

It reminded many Gator fans of other quarterbacks, former Gators who had the same impact on their teammates. Gators who wore number 9 and number 7, and of course number 15. But it also raised a curious eyebrow, and a question…the answer to which I don’t think I want to know.

How exactly did the Gator offense go from shutout city to 10 points in 2 possessions in the blink of an eye? It’s not like Treon orchestrated a couple of 90-yard drives in the two-minute offense like the second coming of Joe Montana. He threw a pass for twelve yards and another for five. He took off on four runs for about six yards apiece. Great work in the clutch for sure, but his impact was far greater on the performance of the other players than in his own performance. He completed a critical pass at the sticks to Tevin Westbrook to convert a third-and-five from the Gator 24 yard line. The pass was high and behind Westbrook, causing him to extend his arms overhead while pirouetting his body back to the ball. It was an oddity because on the drive right before Treon was tapped to go into the game, Westbrook had a similarly high pass delivered from Driskel that was in stride and required only the reach and none of the ballet that the Harris pitch required – and Westbrook seemed to just throw his arms up at that ball without much effort to actually catch it. He wound up instead of moving the chains in a big momentum play, to creating our receiving corps’ second assist for Tennessee interceptions.

On the next play after Treon’s connection with Tevin, Matt Jones tore off a magnificent 32-yard romp that set up the game-winning field goal. He broke two tackles and got the final critical yards with a masterful dead-leg juke along the sidelines. While Jones had run hard the rest of the game, that was the first run he had made in his prototype beast mode. After the game, he told reporters that having Treon in the game gave him that extra boost to run harder and get those extra yards.

Trying to capitalize on Treon’s lack of experience, Tennessee sent the house at him with multiple blitzers on several plays and we saw offensive tackles and running backs identify every bogie and picking them up. They kept the pocket clean for Treon, even when there were more rushers than they had bodies to block them.

These are things the offense on the whole has not done for Driskel since 2012.  There have been some anonymous reports this year that the players just won’t play for Driskel because they had lost faith in his ability to lead the team to glory. I did not want to accept that, because it really reflects poorly on the players, but seeing is believing. Most of the offense was just going through the motions with Jeff at the helm, and it showed. Not just in the constant dropped passes. Everywhere. And whether it is excusable or not, no matter how bothersome it is…it is clearly true. And it is something that the coaches no doubt saw clearly as well.

Under Pressure

Jeff didn’t really play that badly. Sure, he had three interceptions, but two were the fault of the receivers and the third was a tipped ball. It was only tipped because of a protection breakdown altering his motion so that he didn’t get the pass high enough to clear the linebacker in the lane (ironic that it was one of the few times this year that he did not throw high), but still not a horrible throw – just a good play by the rusher and the linebacker and a fortuitous ricochet. Jeff ran well and threw some good balls that were mostly dropped; he had a few opportunities taken away by bad blocking.

He just didn’t make anything happen.

And at this point in his career, at this point in the season, at that point in the game…he needed to start making things happen. And he just didn’t. So it was time for a change, plain and simple. I’ve made no mystery of my belief that Jeff has been dealt a bum hand in his Gator career. Abusively discarded and ignored by Charlie Weis, left un-coached by Brent Pease and wasted in a painfully limited and conservative offense for a year, seldom having any contributing skill players around him, never having a modicum of pass protection, blown up by an emergency stomach surgery and a snapped leg that erased the 2013 season that we all thought would be his coming out party. He has not been afforded a lot of opportunity to get comfortable, let alone to develop. But at some point, it just doesn’t matter how you got here: you have to start producing at a high level. I feel bad for the kid: he has done all he knows how to do to succeed and it simply has not worked out as we all had hoped. Fair or unfair, quarterbacks – all players, really – have a clock ticking on their development schedule. Jeff had already passed his “Best if Used By” date; Saturday he may have reached his expiration date.

 Fame: Bully For You, Chilly For Me

When you’re the coach of the Gators, your fame brings you all sorts of unwanted second-guessing. And the precipitators of those questions all depend on your perspective. Many fans have made a big deal out of the fact that Muschamp did not come right out after the game and name Treon the starter for LSU. After all, could there be any doubt that not only is it needed to carry over the team-wide momentum, but simply to continue that play-to-play spark that he brings the team?

I personally don’t think there is any doubt that Treon will get a lot of series against LSU, and is more than likely going to start the game. But Muschamp is not about to even give hints into his thought process after the game, on his coach’s show or even during game week. I think his noncommittal remarks are 3three-fold:

1) He is being diplomatic for sake of Jeff Driskel’s dignity. One of the many reasons his players love him and compete so fiercely for him is that he goes to bat for them. He always has their backs, whether it be in the face of the NCAA or that of the media. I have no doubt he did and will continue to spare Driskel’s fragile ego the direct blow of talking out of school about his potential demotion – or even splitting time at the position. Even if Treon starts against LSU, nobody knows the future. Jeff will likely still play a role in this team’s future, perhaps a significant one. Think of Terry Dean in 1993. After he had such a miserable game against Kentucky in ’93 (think: Alabama this year), he was benched for freshman Danny Wuerffel who led the Gators to victory against Tennessee the following game (think: UT this year). Later in the year, Danny was struggling with the wet footballs in a rainy game in Jacksonville, playing poorly and putting the game against dreaded Georgia – and the Gators’ fate in the SEC race – in jeopardy. Dean was called in off the bench to start the second half, he led them to victory that day, reclaimed the starting position and led the Gators to the league title in their first ever win in the SEC Championship game. I don’t foresee any such clear cut shifting in the lineup this year, but Jeff may still be called upon to be a major part of this team’s success one way or another. The staff needs to keep his head up and in the game.

2) Muschamp was being cagey. No need to broadcast his plans to Les Miles so early.

3) He’s a pragmatist. He probably really does want to look at the film and be fair before making the call. He doesn’t want to decide on a quarterbacking change based on emotions or gut feelings alone. Also he might have a two-quarterback scripted rotation in mind rather than a full switch from one to another. There are many benefits to this sort of rotation for both quarterbacks, such as being able to survey the defense from the sidelines and get real time in-game coaching during the plays the other quarterback is running. That can help both a struggling veteran and a true freshman trying to soak up as much crucial knowledge as he can. It also often works to make the defense’s job more difficult preparing for two players who will run different plays and different personnel groupings (e.g., Treon’s first pass was a nice 12-yard connection on a wheel route…they never called that play for Jeff, despite my loudly pleading them to many times). Also, Muschamp may recognize the obvious that Treon is much more effective off the bench than is Jeff. If Treon were to start and then struggles or gets hurt, a mentally and emotionally decimated Jeff Driskel will not be very effective.

 Still some fans desperately want to know. Now. Demand it, even. The bottom line, however is that Champ owes us nothing more than coachspeak. All he owes the fans is his best coaching efforts, the courtesy and grace becoming of a Gator head coach, and an unwavering demonstration of unimpeachable personal character. And he has given us all that he owes, in spades.

All he owes his employer is to meet the success benchmarks established at his hiring. If he fails to meet them, he will be fired.

In the meantime, our only task as fans is to decide how WE will represent our school, our character and our ancestors.

Choose wisely, my friends.

Choose wisely.

Dancing In The Street

While I am always in favor of anyone dancing in the street (provided the street has been checked for traffic and everyone is sworn to NEVER repeat a single dance move of Bowie or Jagger in the music video for this song – under penalty of death), I urge a little caution be tossed into the wind with regards to the centrifugal force of the Treon Train.

He is still a true freshman. After directing that game-turning (perhaps season-turning) touchdown drive, the first pass he threw on the ensuing possession was an easy pick-6 to the Tennessee defense. On the second down pass to Demarcus Robinson, Vols’ cornerback Cam Sutton jumped the route because he saw the play develop, saw Treon lock on Robinson the whole way – as did the whole stadium and the entire home viewing audience – and stepped in front for the pick. However, Robinson pulled a 180 from the receivers’ efforts during the previous three quarters. Whereas the first 45 minutes of the game saw Gator wideouts – including Robinson – make volleyball bumps to set up UT interceptions, this time D-Rob played like an all-conference defensive back, first cutting into Sutton’s route to the ball, forcing him to dive for the ball and give up the pick-6 opportunity, and then poking the ball out of his hands to prevent him from intercepting the pass at all. Textbook play to save his quarterback, and just another thing that the players did for Treon that they refused to do for Jeff.

These are foibles that will still be evident with a true freshman. There is no substitute for game experience, and it is something that no measure of confidence, skill or film study can overcome. No matter how good Treon is, no matter how well he performs and no matter how much he energizes and raises the play of his teammates around him. So expect some mistakes from the newbie. Some may be very painful mistakes. Just look at Texas A&M’s freshman signal caller. He went from Heisman Trophy favorite to very ordinary and the recipient of a good old fashioned SEC behind-kicking. Or take the other true freshman SEC quarterback named Harris: LSU’s Brandon Harris. He went from looking like the answer to all the team’s problems last week to barely able to score one touchdown this week, going 3-for-14 and getting re-benched. The same could happen to Treon in the next game or two. So have patience with the rookie errors and please be kind when he makes them.

Modern Love

I only add this section to point out that we won a game by scoring only ten points. And we only won by one point. But you still HAVE to love it. It secured a ten-win streak over the hated Vols. Florida has never won that many in a row against the Tennessee Toothless. Even in the Spurrier glory years of tormenting Phil “Great Pumpkin” Fulmer, the Gators’ longest streak was five. What’s more, the ten-spot equals Tennessee’s longest win streak in this series, as they won the first decile of games played, from 1916 to 1953. Who could forget those battles? #sarcasm. It helped UT greatly that six of the games were played in Knoxville and only one of them was played in Gainesville – the last one, which was the closest game: a 9-7 Vols victory.

That 9-7 win was the ancient way to win a huge game. But this 10-9 victory? Well, listen up: that’s the modern way to love the “W” too. Because like I mentioned last week, this is the new world of rebuilding a program. Every win is precious, no matter how it comes. And I don’t care how irrelevant Tennessee is to the national media and to some Gator fans: any win in Neyland is special and every victory over the Creamsicle is to be savored. A few weeks ago, some fans scoffed at the fact that Florida had to go to triple overtime to subdue lightly regarded Kentucky. Well, as I and some others foretold, Kentucky is good this year. At this point, they look just as good as anybody – as everybody – in the East. After they beat South Carolina, only the program’s second win against Steve Spurrier in 22 tries, how do you regard those ‘Cats now? How good or bad does that win look today?

And after seeing listless LSU get absolutely buried by the second SEC West undercard in a row, is there any doubt that Florida can play with them and beat them in the Swamp next week? And after seeing how bad NC State really is this past week, and watching truly woeful Wake Forest play FSU toe-to-toe for nearly a half, is there any doubt that FSU is completely beatable? Florida is 2-1 in the SEC, good for second place in the East behind 1-0 Missouri, which lost at home to Indiana. Every remaining game is winnable and all of Florida’s season goals lie ahead of them, well within their reach. This is the Modern Age of rebuilding Florida football. And you have to love it. It’s okay to love it. So just love it already.

Boys Keep Swinging

Maybe that song reference is a little obscure for all but the most devout Bowie fans, but bear with me. I’ve almost run through the whole discography. But this game was truly about a couple of boys who keep on swinging. One of them landed a crucial punch; one of them took another one to the stomach.

You really had to feel for Butch Jones. His expression of frustrated defeat after the game was resolved was wrenching, even for rival fans. Tough to watch. To have games against your two biggest and most hated SEC rivals in position to beat them two straight weeks and come up one score – basically one play – short. Has to be devastating to a guy trying to legitimize his tenure before the Vols fans blow once again with the wind to the next candidate.

But it was equally, in fact far more gratifying to see Will Muschamp’s elated reaction after the gun sounded. He understands the significance of what just happened. To this team and its players, to this program and its fans, and of course to his career and that of all his staff. Even to those who hate the guy, how could any Gator have heard his immediate post-game remarks and not fallen under a huge smile? To trumpet the effort of his players and then sling Spurrieresque zingers at the Volunteer fans was just priceless. He said the very same thing about reveling in sending the Texas A&M fans home disappointed in the SEC opener in 2012. That went on to become a special season for the Gators. Let’s hope this one does as well.

If Muschamp survives this thing, if he is able to build around Treon and the new energy level of the offense, and the reawakened refocused defense, can you imagine what a storybook tale this will make? If Harris sparks a win streak in the middle of the year, Hollywood better sharpen their pencils now.

I don’t know if this quarterback juggling – or if this season as a whole – will have a Hollywood ending, but I do know that with Treon stepping up and leading the Gators to a big conference win, the game has just changed. Hope has snuck back into the Gator locker room.

And the stars look very different today.

David Parker
One of the original columnists when Gator Country first premiered, David “PD” Parker has been following and writing about the Gators since the eighties. From his years of regular contributions as a member of Gator Country to his weekly columns as a partner of the popular defunct niche website Gator Gurus, PD has become known in Gator Nation for his analysis, insight and humor on all things Gator.

5 COMMENTS

  1. Another prolific offering in your hallmark style-great stuff. ZBut your third paragraph under “Modern Love” is what screamed out at me. That paragraph so accurately sums up the football landscape that lies ahead. And while rivals are rivals, as you mentioned, they’re all beatable. And with this new-found synergistic rally it does look pretty doable. It isn’t like the sherpas have left the climbers on the frozen grade with a storm coming in. Man, look what happened in the top ten this weekend. Parity gets a foothold in the college football landscape and its good for us all. We are in control of our destiny and we’re coming home to the Swamp. Go Gators-beat LSU!

  2. Another excellent column with great perspective. As a Gator since 1964, I lived through all those years before 1990 when 6 or 7 wins was typical, 8 wins was a good year, 9 wins was great, and 10 wins unheard of. Then Spurrier and Meyer came along and now one loss ruins the whole season. In my experience the struggle to get to the top is much more satisfying than the struggle to stay on top.

  3. I think you, again, are nuts about Driskel. He should never, ever see another meaningful snap at Florida. Who cares about his ego? He’s awful when he’s given a vote of confidence, so why would you think it would make any difference if he’s given a dose of reality. Enough of the excuses for this guy. There is enough data in to conclude that Jeff Driskel sucks. Muschamp predicted that Driskel would make everyone proud that he was their quarterback, it’s time for Muschamp to live by his words. It’s time for Muschamp to quit fantasizing about Driskel and make a call that is easy to make, bench Driskel. Perhaps Harris will struggle, that is to be expected from true freshman. But he should get better, something that we can’t expect from his predecessor. Maybe Harris won’t lead Florida to the promised land this year, there are a lot more concerns about Florida than quarterback, but he should give Florida hope. I think that hope is no longer a commodity that can be mentioned in the same breath with the name Driskel.
    As for FSU, I think you are again dreaming like you did about Alabama. I recall you drooling about them, now we know they are not what you made them out to be. They only scored one touchdown on offense, just like Florida. I know you don’t want to hear it, but UF has a chance against everyone left on the schedule except FSU. I don’t see any team that will beat FSU this year. Can FSU be beat? Sure, anyone can lose, but I think the best chance for that to happen was when Winston was out against Clemson. If you look at stats, like comparing Clemson and FSU against a common opponent, N.C. State, you’d come to the conclusion that Clemson is a better team. But it’s been settled on the field and the stats lie. Stats don’t measure heart or the will of a champion. If you look at the stats, there is no reason to get excited about Treon Harris. Stats are for losers as Spurrier has said. FSU still has the games best player in Winston. Stats may say that Mariota is better, for example he still hasn’t thrown an interception, but he is still a choking dog that hasn’t ever won a big game and even loses at home to 24 point underdog. The demise of FSU has been greatly exaggerated. Since song lyrics are a theme for you today, I’ll give you one, but not by Bowie. It’s an old song that describes FSU, from the musical Showboat titled “Ol’ Man River,” “But ol’ man river, he jes’ keeps rollin’ along!”

  4. Snowprint, while your candor is never left unexpressed, I do think our playing field has been leveled a bit. FSU are not the world beaters everyone thinks. Although, they very well might win it all. Nor have we proven much to date here in Hogtown. But certainly, after what we witnessed this weekend, someone will emerge, eventually. And, for certain, noone is safe. Some people just have an easier path. It’ll be intersting tpo see how this payoff thing works this year as well.

    • I don’t think FSU is a “world beater’ either. I just don’t see a team that is better than them this year. I think the only team that could beat them is last year’s FSU team, and they’re not on the schedule.