Where Have They Been?
Back when Florida, LSU and the SEC ‘decided’ to move the game to this past weekend, emotions were everywhere. While the LSU administration, players, and fans convinced themselves that Florida was scared to play LSU, the Gators sat back and played themselves into a position to make a return trip to Atlanta. While LSU was discussing if Ed Orgeron should be the next head coach, Jim McElwain was preparing his team for one of the greatest moments in Florida football history.
The last series of plays of the LSU game summed up everything that had occurred the past six weeks leading up to the game. LSU broke the huddle with confidence, on TV, players were excited and you could sense their confidence the closer they got to the goal line. That confidence was sure the Gators were going to eventually fold and give in to the LSU offense, much like many felt Florida gave in moving the game to Baton Rouge. Unfortunately for the Tigers, football is not played in e-mails, in words or in the social media arena. All the talking came to an abrupt halt when Derrius Guice fell short of the goal line. The play started out wrong and everyone knew it, the outcome was inevitable. Much like the LSU administration when this entire process started. This moment for the Gators will forever go down as one of the greatest in school history.
If that play happens on an October Saturday, it doesn’t feel the same, no SEC East title on the line, no build up, no last laugh. It would have just been a great play. Saturday afternoon, that play silenced 200,000 plus people in Baton Rouge as well as Knoxville. Hopes were dashed and all that could be won were life championships. For those that burn for the orange and blue that play ignited confidence and assurance that this program is heading in the right direction and a trip to Atlanta for a 12th time in school history is never a bad thing.
There are so many compliments that could go around, so many plays that could be noted that contributed to this win, but all those plays can be summed in one word…believe. After South Carolina upset the Vols, there were still some that penned Tennessee into the SEC Championship game. Moments after the Gators got beat up by the Razorbacks and still held their own destiny, there were doubts. Even myself had doubts this team could walk into this moment and pull it out. Hours before the LSU game kicked off, the pundits were still choosing Tennessee to make it to Atlanta.
Despite all the doubts and reason why they could not win this game, they did. They believed down to the last inch and last yard and they proved so many wrong and gave us all a reason to believe that this team can fight through adversity and come out on top. The Gators emotional roller coaster is just arriving at the crest, and will only get more exciting this weekend and the weekend to follow.
What’s Next?
Next up for the Gators is their hated rival Florida State. Depending on your era, this rivalry may not compare to Georgia or other Florida rivals. In my years of following Florida football, the Gators have dominated Georgia, Tennessee and others but those Seminoles have always been a pain in the rear.
During the 90’s my Uncle Joe Camps, former Florida State safety, team captain for Bobby Bowden’s first team in 1976 and current Board of Trustees member, he constantly ribbed us when the Gators lost. During the 2000’s he didn’t speak much, but recently the talks have started up again. So needless to say, more than any game on the schedule, I look forward to this one the most.
As for the Seminoles, they have had a disappointing season overall, with three losses. Two of those coming at home and the one on the road was a completing drubbing to Heisman favorite Lamar Jackson. Recently this team has recovered and found some identity and will present another tough test for the Gators.
Florida State’s success begins and ends with Dalvin Cook, as he goes, they go. The universities all-time leading rusher is a touchdown waiting to happen. He will be the most explosive play the Gators have faced thus far. Last year in Gainesville, Cook racked up 194 yards from scrimmage with 2 touchdowns. If he matches that production this week, that Gators could be in trouble.
The disappointing spot for the Seminoles has been their defense. They have improved recently, prior to November, they were giving up just short of 30 PPG. This Seminole team is hard to judge, they have beat who they should have beaten, had close games with less talented opponents and been as inconsistent in big games as any team in the country.
Florida State has an outside shot at a major bowl game and will miss out on the ACC championship for the 2nd consecutive year. This week will be about beating your rival and hopefully silencing any faint cries of a playoff berth for the Gators.
What’s Down the Road?
Last week I noted that the Gators have a slim chance to make a playoff run. They have accomplished their first task in defeating LSU and now this road gauntlet turns to Tallahassee and then a date with their most common SEC Championship foe, the Crimson Tide of Alabama.
The Tide took on their annual pre-Auburn cupcake and defeated Chattanooga 31-3. It was not the best Tide performance, for some it will raise concerns and for some, it will be overlooked. In a game that should have been over by halftime turned out to be tighter than expected. Jalen Hurts played an okay game and took some tough shots that should have put some fear in the hearts of fans. That type of performance may not get it done this week. Alabama is clearly the top team in the country, but the gap may not be as wide as people think. We will learn a lot more about the Tide in the next two weeks. An emotional rivalry game against an Auburn team that has been salty on defense won’t be easy. Then facing an inspired Florida team, with pretty good defense themselves.
Because LSU was accommodating. The Gators lost a chance to take on the Might Blue Hose of Presbyterian. The Blue Hose finished their season on Saturday against South Alabama losing 31-7 and finishing the year 2-9.
This has been an interesting season thus far for the Gators. With such an emotional win on Saturday, Coach McElwain will have to get his team back and focused on the game ahead. Florida State should not be much of a challenged to get the players focused for, especially after the way last year went. Florida still has major goals ahead, but that is for the media and the fans to worry about. Jim McElwain continues to take it day by day and play by play. That message has become a common theme for a team that has been up and down, in and out but now finds themselves in a position to regain the opportunities they thought were lost.
Every football season, fans yell, scream, cry, argue and sometimes surrender cobra. Many cheer for different colors and creeds, but at the end of the day we are all people. Remember during this time of Thanksgiving, be thankful for your family, friends and all the joys of life, do not overlook the small things that make life special. Make sure you find a second to bring a smile to someone else’s face.