Florida Gators: Thoughts of the Week: November 18 – November 24

The final week of Will Muschamp’s roller coaster tenure at the University of Florida is upon us. Exactly 1,444 days ago, Will Muschamp was chosen as Head Coach for the Florida Gators because potential was valued, at the time, over experience and Will Muschamp was one of the best, if not the best, coordinators in college football, was a tenacious recruiter, and was highly regarded amongst everyone in the business, highly regarded enough to be the “head coach in waiting” at the University of Texas. But, as you all know, it just didn’t work out. And that’s OK – it happens. And there is nothing you can do – sometimes people are better leading groups and divisions than leading the whole operation.

For example, look at Ron Johnson, former Senior Vice President of Retail Operations for Apple – responsible for building Apple into a retail powerhouse and the development of the Genius Bar. For 11 years, Johnson built Apple into the top ranked sales per unit area, nearly doubling Tiffany, which ranked second. Johnson, after a very successful career at Apple, left and became the CEO at J.C. Penney. Johnson, who had only lead divisions and teams, struggled to become the CEO that many thought he could be, often meddling in affairs of those beneath him, and struggled with buy-in. Does this sound familiar?

In the end, we will close the book on the Will Muschamp after the game against Florida State on Saturday. He moves on. Florida moves on. And we have all learned, I think, from the Will Muschamp experiment – and what we have learned, isn’t all negative.

 

Thoughts and Notes on Eastern Kentucky and Current Season

  1. Florida is a nearly flawless team playing against teams with “Eastern” in their name this season, outscoring them 117-3 or nearly 37% of their total points this season.
  2. It was good to see Jeff Driskel step-up and have a big four-touchdown game, but the problem has never been Jeff being able to play in mop-up time against teams like Eastern Kentucky, but in playing in a pressure situation against SEC teams. The Gators best chance to beat FSU is still Treon Harris, assuming he is healthy.
  3. The Gators scored 50+ points twice this season, the first time they have done that since 2009.
  4. Demarcus Robinson’s 703 yards receiving are the most by a Gators receiver since 2009 (Riley Cooper, 961 yards)
  5. Demarcus Robinson’s seven touchdown receptions are the most by a Gators receiver since 2009 (Riley Cooper, 9 TD)
  6. The Gators 25.08 yards per reception in the game are the most in a game since before 2008.
  7. The Gators had two games this season they threw for more than 300 yards in a game, the only time in Will Muschamp’s career at Florida.
  8. The Gators threw five touchdown passes in the game, the most in a game since Troy in 2009.
  9. Demarcus Robinson is three receptions away from having the most receptions in a season under Will Muschamp.
  10. At 4.3 receptions per game, Demarcus Robinson has the most receptions per game since Aaron Hernandez (4.9) in 2009.
  11. At 70.3 yards per game, Demarcus Robinson is averaging more yards per game since before 2008.
  12. The Gators are averaging 197.1 yards per game rushing, 51.35 more yards per game than last year.
  13. At 2.5 sacks per game, the Gators are averaging the most sacks they have per game since 2009.
  14. Antonio Morrison is averaging 9.3 tackles per game, the most since before 2008.
  15. At 83.3% conversion on placekicking, the Gators, as a team, are kicking the best they have since 2008.
  16. At a 14.62 yard per punt return average, Andre Debose is having the best season returning since before 2008.
  17. With 15 passing touchdowns, the Gators now have the most touchdown passes in a season since 2009.

Thoughts on Florida State

  1. Florida must use their 12th ranked run defense makes sure that Florida State’s 105th ranked rush offense doesn’t perform better than it should.
  2. Once Florida is able to protect the rushing attack – blitz. Florida Sate is ranked 58th in sacks allowed per game, while Florida is ranked 38th in sacks per game. Keeping pressure on Jameis Winston is the only way Florida can keep Florida State’s offense in check.
  3. To do that, Florida must have Dante Fowler on Roderick Johnson, the Noles freshman left tackle. Roderick Johnson, whom is new to the line, hasn’t faced much talent and nothing that compares to Dante Fowler. Fowler needs to relentlessly attack Johnson.
  4. One of the most interesting battles is Florida’s 100th ranked third down conversion percentage against Florida State’s 95th ranked third down defense.
  5. Florida has the 33rd ranked rushing offense, but faces FSU’s 43rd ranked rush defense. If Florida can get their pass offense going, however, they must attack Florida State’s 96th ranked pass defense.

 

Dan’s Heisman Rankings

  1. Marcus Mariotta
  2. Melvin Gordon
  3. Trevone Boykin

 

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Song of the Week

Two of my top-ten musicians of all time together in one song? Sign me up.

George Strait is the “King of Country Music” and Eric Church is probably the most popular country music star right now (that Merle Haggard would be proud of) and the two of them collaborated on “Cowboys Like Us” and they kill it, obviously.

Daniel Thompson
Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan oversees the IT consulting practice of a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, bourbon, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan can be found on Twitter at @DK_Thompson.