Gator Country

Matthanuf06 · 01-03-2013, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UFreak

I guess if I have to explain it, then it's not really going to resonate with you. So national title or the season is a disappointment? Finishing No. 3 and 12-1 is a great accomplishment. It is much better than 11-2 and No. 10.

Exactly. We are going to finish 5th in the SEC. On a relative peer comparison basis, this was not a good year. Compared to expectations? A great year. But Bama, USC, TAMU, and UGA will all trump us. Maybe even FSU.

Does that mean anything? I guess nothing tangible, but isn't that what CFB is all about. What do you usually win in rivalry games? Usually not a MNC shot but rather pride and bragging rights.

Matthanuf06 · 01-03-2013, 01:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgator94

So if Florida was exposed tonight, why could Louisville exploit their weaknesses more so than other teams, say like the 4 of the top 12 ranked BCS teams we played? And that includes Georgia who beat us after having 6 turnovers and still had to have the last one at their goal line to stop us from possibly sending it to overtime? Do you think Louisville is better than TX A&M, Georgia, SC, FSU and all other teams we played? I mean they "exposed" us more than any of those other teams. Could it be a psychological phenomenon instead of a physical one? Maybe UF did look at this game as a lesser game because the trophy goes behind other ones. That would make sense based on what I saw. If you can honestly tell me that man for man Louisville had a better team and won this game on a talent discrepancy then I will buy your argument. Maybe Louisville had a better qb, but do you think their defense was better? After all they did shut us down more than LSU, SC and some other very good teams. No, I think Louisville played with a fire and passion that Florida could not even come close to matching. Maybe because they thought it was a lesser game that "didn't matter that much".

I would love to see your motivational slogan. Maybe it would say something like "Give 150% for those really important games and 85% for those not so important games. After all it doesn't really matter because those trophies go in the back of the closet".

Louisville has the best passing QB that we faced all year.

Driskel is a bad QB that is generally a high risk passer when he actually has decisions to make. The pick 6 cost us. It's on Jeff though, luck in a way that it happened in this game and not previously

Sometimes teams just lose too

**philip214** · 01-03-2013, 07:39 AM

Relax. This game meant very little. Sure it is a BCS Bowl game and it's sorta a big deal especially to the lesser schools, but most, if not all, of our regular season games meant more. In fact, the games in November were all far more meaningful. You put Louisville on the schedule in November instead of last night, and I believe we would have had a far different outcome. This is not to belittle Louisville's win, it's just a fact. We have guys disappointed not to be in the NC game, we have guys thinking of the NFL and making money, guys who appeared to still be on break. This was Louisville's National Championship game and it was just another game for us. We lost and it sucks to lose, but it will not set the program back at all. We will still recruit well and still be in the conversation as one of the best teams in the country in the future.

The most disappointing part IMO is the regression of our QB. That is a major concern. He has all the talent in the world, but the fact the game does not appear to be slowing down for him, the lack of pocket awareness, and the decision making are all a significant concern. With the way this years team is set up, the QB has to be a game manager who does not turn the ball over. He doesn't have to be great or even do much to win games, except not turn the ball over and make bad decisions.

Hill_Raiser · 01-03-2013, 08:26 AM

Important for 2 reason.

1. Despite a month of dedicated practice time, Driskel still looks lost. That is significant. He should have made strides over the last month.

2. When we are trying to state our case as a 1-loss SEC champ for a BCSNCG or even inclusion into a 4 team playoff as a non-champ, this weakens our case. When our vaunted defense gets shredded by a Big East team, voters will remember that. When LSU gets beat by Clemson, UGa and USC give up a lot of points to lesser ranked teams, that hurts us. Conference superiority needs to be expressed at every opportunity.

gator2109 · 01-03-2013, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hill_Raiser

Important for 2 reason.

1. Despite a month of dedicated practice time, Driskel still looks lost. That is significant. He should have made strides over the last month.

2. When we are trying to state our case as a 1-loss SEC champ for a BCSNCG or even inclusion into a 4 team playoff as a non-champ, this weakens our case. When our vaunted defense gets shredded by a Big East team, voters will remember that. When LSU gets beat by Clemson, UGa and USC give up a lot of points to lesser ranked teams, that hurts us. Conference superiority needs to be expressed at every opportunity.

#1 is completely correct and is the only thing I take away from this game that is worrisome. The post above yours explains in well too. He just has not improved a lot which I would have expected. Our lack of consistent OL play and guys out wide definitely contributes to this in a big way, but you could see a lot of the time that he just looked lost last night. We will see what another year and offseason does with Pease and see if we can't get some play makers to emerge. Hopefully Reed stays. How much he improves will likely be the biggest factor in how far we can go next year.

#2 doesn't really apply. Sucks our D got shredded, but when voters go to choose a team they will be remembering what we did against FSU and the rest of the SEC including an SECCG when we play THAT YEAR, not what happened in a meaningless bowl game a few years ago.

WESGATORS · 01-03-2013, 09:22 AM

Moe, I'm with ya brother. Bowl games are exhibition games. Some folks have the ability to place a high level of importance on the result of bowl games, I can't buy into it. It's an irrational ending to a season of importance. The only thing disappointing, to me, about last night's game was the attitude that some of our players displayed (never really understood popping off when you're getting your tail handed to you).

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

WESGATORS · 01-03-2013, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Why is the FSU game important? Pride?

Pride is only one component. But why does that pride exist? Many of the players know one another and typically contemplated going to one school vs. the other. They made a decision, and they want to prove that their decision was the better one. The fans all live amongst one another and rib each other throughout the season. Many are friends, but many are not. These are just a couple of the components of what makes up a rivalry, but that it is a rivalry is what makes it distinct from non-rivalry games...at least as it pertains to pride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Then why isn't pride a factor for a prestigious bowl game?

Why is the Sugar Bowl "prestigious?" Because they tell us it is? They have a financial interest in getting us to believe that it is a "prestigious" bowl game. Whatever prestige is left (used to be for the SEC Champion, lately it's just been at-large teams), the prestige is all focused on getting selected for the game not actually winning it. The losers get the exact same thing as the winners except for the "Sugar Bowl Trophy." When was the last time you or anybody you know bragged about Sugar Bowl trophies that didn't involve a national championship?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

So why is the FSU game important? To get to an elite bowl game?

In addition to it being a rivalry game, we are still in the national championship race at the time of our game. But your second question speaks to the fact that it's a bigger deal to get to the Sugar Bowl than it is to win it. Would you rather have two consecutive years of making it to the Sugar Bowl and losing both times or winning the Sugar Bowl one year and winning the Outback Bowl in the other year? I think most would pick the pair of Sugar Bowl losses given the options, right?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Well we got to it. If it is worth fighting to get to it then it should be worth fighting during it

I have no problem with that opinion, I think some of us just don't buy it. We weren't fighting to get to the Sugar Bowl, that was a consolation prize. And the rewards associated with it all come BEFORE the game is actually played. Maybe they should give the winning team the lion's share of the reward and things would be different.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

**sevmonster** · 01-03-2013, 09:46 AM

When we won coin toss why did we elect to receive?

maleko83 · 01-03-2013, 09:47 AM

The only lines missing from the OP is "But it helped us. It helped us more than you will ever know."

Matthanuf06 · 01-03-2013, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESGATORS

Pride is only one component. But why does that pride exist? Many of the players know one another and typically contemplated going to one school vs. the other. They made a decision, and they want to prove that their decision was the better one. The fans all live amongst one another and rib each other throughout the season. Many are friends, but many are not. These are just a couple of the components of what makes up a rivalry, but that it is a rivalry is what makes it distinct from non-rivalry games...at least as it pertains to pride.

Why is the Sugar Bowl "prestigious?" Because they tell us it is? They have a financial interest in getting us to believe that it is a "prestigious" bowl game. Whatever prestige is left (used to be for the SEC Champion, lately it's just been at-large teams), the prestige is all focused on getting selected for the game not actually winning it. The losers get the exact same thing as the winners except for the "Sugar Bowl Trophy." When was the last time you or anybody you know bragged about Sugar Bowl trophies that didn't involve a national championship?

In addition to it being a rivalry game, we are still in the national championship race at the time of our game. But your second question speaks to the fact that it's a bigger deal to get to the Sugar Bowl than it is to win it. Would you rather have two consecutive years of making it to the Sugar Bowl and losing both times or winning the Sugar Bowl one year and winning the Outback Bowl in the other year? I think most would pick the pair of Sugar Bowl losses given the options, right?

I have no problem with that opinion, I think some of us just don't buy it. We weren't fighting to get to the Sugar Bowl, that was a consolation prize. And the rewards associated with it all come BEFORE the game is actually played. Maybe they should give the winning team the lion's share of the reward and things would be different.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

I'm not arguing that it is one of our most important games. It isn't. FYI, Louisville had a ton of players from Florida as well.

And yes, this year we had an outside shot at the MNC during our FSU game. What about the year before? Or the year before?

Yes, when the MNC isn't on the line the game means less. Without a doubt that is true. But MNC isn't the ONLY thing that matters.

Dreamliner · 01-03-2013, 10:15 AM

In the weeks leading up to the game there was endless carping about why we should have to stoop to play a team so below us in caliber.

Having been stomped by said lowly team ... now it's no big deal.

Also: see 'meatchicken' debacle of 2007.

GATORAJE · 01-03-2013, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kgator94

If you guys think this was no big deal then I feel sorry for you. Since when did losing the Sugar Bowl and being embarrassed by a lesser team become no big deal. Doesn't anybody have pride anymore? I would give my left nut to have the opportunity to play in that game and represent the University of Florida with the passion and competitiveness they deserve. I had a freaking Auburn fan asking me what was wrong with the gators. That was pathetic. If you can't get up for a BCS bowl you shouldn't even be on the team.

Exactly !!! I remember a month ago, everyone ecstatic that we made it to a BCS Bowl, and now it is "no big deal". I see De-Nial is not just a river in Egypt. If this game was "no big deal", then why show up? (Oh wait, we didn't last night.....OOPS)

gatormoe1 · 01-03-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GATORAJE

Exactly !!! I remember a month ago, everyone ecstatic that we made it to a BCS Bowl, and now it is "no big deal". I see De-Nial is not just a river in Egypt. If this game was "no big deal", then why show up? (Oh wait, we didn't last night.....OOPS)

You really don't get it do you? Getting to a BCS bowl after the season we had was a big deal. Winning the game, especially against a team that is barely in the top 25 is not a big deal whatsoever. Why is this hard to understand?

WESGATORS · 01-03-2013, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

I'm not arguing that it is one of our most important games.

Unless we are in the playoff, it is the *least* important game to win each and every year.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

And yes, this year we had an outside shot at the MNC during our FSU game. What about the year before? Or the year before?

That we play them every year is a part of the rivalry factor. There is no rivalry with Louisville, nor was there a rivalry with Cincinnati (that game wasn't a big deal either other than the fact that it was Tim Tebow's last game).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Yes, when the MNC isn't on the line the game means less. Without a doubt that is true. But MNC isn't the ONLY thing that matters.

That's why I call it an exhibition game, because in an exhibition game, the only thing that win matters for is to settle the result of that game...there is no staying power of a win or a loss in an exhibition game. Maybe for some fans, this result will have staying power, but like with the win over Cincinnati, it just has an exhibition feel to it.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

WESGATORS · 01-03-2013, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dreamliner

Also: see 'meatchicken' debacle of 2007.

Michigan in the Citrus Bowl is a great analogy. We were something like 17 point favorites, but what did that loss cost us, a Citrus Bowl trophy? Both schools got the same reward, both teams' players got the same gifts. The difference is Michigan had a new coach for the next season, and we had a national championship year.

Go GATORS!
,WESGATORS

GATORAJE · 01-03-2013, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatormoe1

You really don't get it do you? Getting to a BCS bowl after the season we had was a big deal. Winning the game, especially against a team that is barely in the top 25 is not a big deal whatsoever. Why is this hard to understand?

No, I think you are the one that just "does not get it". If you are not "in it to win it", then what's the point of showing up in the first place? The university, and all the fans could have saved a ton of money by "declining the bid". After we got selected, we should have just told the Sugar Bowl Committee to go pound sand, OK, we got what we wanted, we got "selected". Good thinking !!!! The Sugar Bowl is a top tier bowl, and on top of that, a win and we probably finish #2 in the polls, #3 at worst case.

g0ggles · 01-03-2013, 10:47 AM

The loss is not the "end of the world" to me. Disappointing? Absolutely. We we're out of character from the start. Turnovers, horrible tackling/poor tackling, lack of discipline all around. Oh, and the decision to onside kick to start the 3rd only down by 2 scores & 30 minutes remaining in the game. Great season that ended with a terrible loss. Now lets get ready for 2013. I'm expecting atleast an appearance in atlanta

gatormoe1 · 01-03-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GATORAJE

No, I think you are the one that just "does not get it". If you are not "in it to win it", then what's the point of showing up in the first place? The university, and all the fans could have saved a ton of money by "declining the bid". After we got selected, we should have just told the Sugar Bowl Committee to go pound sand, OK, we got what we wanted, we got "selected". Good thinking !!!! The Sugar Bowl is a top tier bowl, and on top of that, a win and we probably finish #2 in the polls, #3 at worst case.

Oh great, a #2 finish in the polls? OMG!!! What ever was I thinking. #2 in the polls has so many advantages like.... or theres the.... but possibly...... actually, there are no benefits of being ranked #2 at the end of the season. Just like there is no benefits of being ranked top 5 next season (which despite this loss we will by the way).

Of course the team showed up to win, but you still aren't getting the point unfortunately. The bowl is meaningless if its not called BCSCG. Did I want to win it? Yes. Did the team show up to win it? Yes. Does it mean anything that we lost? NO!

It doesn't mean anything now, doesn't mean anything game one next year. The only thing this game really means is we don't have some meaningless trophy to throw in a closet somewhere (actually we do have the tiny one for being there) and it means Dillman will be kicking this teams ass all off-season. THATS IT.

Gatorphenom · 01-03-2013, 11:30 AM

I will just say from a national perspective it hurt our team reputation, which at some point will cost us next season in the voting but I don't believe there is a human voter alive today that believes UL is a better team than Florida. If we play them 100 times, they maybe win 10 of them. So it's just like Kirk said, there is nothing really anyone can't take from this game other than what not to do next time.

GATORAJE · 01-03-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatormoe1

Oh great, a #2 finish in the polls? OMG!!! What ever was I thinking. #2 in the polls has so many advantages like.... or theres the.... but possibly...... actually, there are no benefits of being ranked #2 at the end of the season. Just like there is no benefits of being ranked top 5 next season (which despite this loss we will by the way).

Of course the team showed up to win, but you still aren't getting the point unfortunately. The bowl is meaningless if its not called BCSCG. Did I want to win it? Yes. Did the team show up to win it? Yes. Does it mean anything that we lost? NO!

It doesn't mean anything now, doesn't mean anything game one next year. The only thing this game really means is we don't have some meaningless trophy to throw in a closet somewhere (actually we do have the tiny one for being there) and it means Dillman will be kicking this teams ass all off-season. THATS IT.

I get what you are saying Moe, but I don't agree. First, I would much rather finish ranked #2 or #3, than #11, or #12 (which is where we will probably end up), trophy or no trophy. Yes, I agree the BCSCG is the "big one", but only two teams play for that, and only ONE comes down with it. I would hardly call the other bowls (especially the BCS bowls) "meaningless". And, I would rather have the "winners trophy" than the "participant" trophy, and day of the week. If this is the standard, then EVERY bowl game (other than the BCSCG is meaningless). Hell, I would say the "season" is meaningless for any team with 2 losses mid way through the season who have NO shot at it. Why keep playing the season then? Only ONE team is going to "win it all". So, in my opinion, make the most of what you have or can achieve, that is all I am saying.