I Hope Our Players Watched Tonight

[ovillegator]

Had we won the Sugar Bowl, we would now be ranked #3 (#4 in the AP) instead of #9.

In the long view, does that really matter?

This class overachieved on wins this year, which gave many fans uberbelief in them. We were the little engine that could for much of the season. When it was revealed the emperor had no clothes, many were shocked and upset. That season is over.

Next year we have a Top 5 recruiting class coming in, with instant playmakers in transfers from JCs and perhaps some frosh too.

If JD becomes not only a better QB (which I think he will) but also a better team leader (which I hope he will), we should be a stronger contender next year.

WM's a young coach, he is learning from that 'school of hard knocks' as well. His staff will be more seasoned working together next year. Their recruiting has improved by leaps and bounds this year -- no reason to doubt that their on-field performance will do anything less.

GO GATORS!

[ofmgator]

The players get it...they're the ones who put in all of the time and hard work this year,not the fans. Not one person on this board ever thought we'd win 11 games. WE played a very tough schedule and in the two games we lost we played sub par and were beaten. That said, whe a ranked team plays a lower ranked team there is little incentive and this time the coaches did not have them ready to go. The players did not respect L'ville and it cost them.

[nawlinsgator]

Originally Posted by GATORAZ

seems like they did show up for big games this year and yes they are watching

This is exactly true. Besides the Georgia game, they showed up for every big game. It's the "not so big" games that they were unfocused on all year. I guess they figured Louisville was a "not so big" opponent and paid the price.

[Swampmaster]

the players were probably thankful they didn't have to play alabama in atlanta and get a worse beatdown than louisville.

[grant1]

Originally Posted by Jstewie15

If we would of played for National Title I'm sure we would of been ready. Just like Lsu,Fsu and USC games.

Exactly, there is a huge difference in playing for a championship and playing in a meaningless bowl. Yes, it was a nice bowl, but winning it was not going to get us a meaningful trophy.

I hope our coaches watched and realized the bounty of a balanced and productive offense.

[Minister_of_Information]

Originally Posted by Swampmaster

the players were probably thankful they didn't have to play alabama in atlanta and get a worse beatdown than louisville.

This post is just plain silly. I hope that's how it was intended.

[maxgator]

Originally Posted by Matthanuf06

Our issue is offense, and mainly QB play. It's that simple. The only real difference between Bama and UF is at QB. Obviously they are better at some other positions too, but so are we. Comes down to a massive discrepancy at QB. Jeff fell way behind his class, but he's still young. He has talent. The truth is he's our guy and we have to pray he figures it out.

If Jeff figures it out we have a good chance at running the regular season undefeated. Maybe a game or two as a coin flip.

If he plays like this we probably get beat soundly in a game with 3 or 4 more as a coin flip.

You didn't watch our game did you?

[Bazza]

Originally Posted by gatorman_07732

You missed my point entirely......I never said the Sugar Bowl wasn't a big game in general, but the bowl selection this year made it otherwise. It was a chit process and no other way around it. So the #3 team got to play the #17 team and as a result it was really forgotten by the media and K State and Oregon got all the press as a much bigger game. Like it or not this filters down to the players.

No - playing in the Sugar Bowl is-has-and always will be - a big game for any program - large or small.

We could play Kent State and it would be a big game.

You could argue on the 'worthiness' of an opponent - but the game itself - because it is the Sugar Bowl (aka a BCS Bowl) - will always be big.

The process is the process. Not perfect at all. Never has been and never will be.

That doesn't take away from the importance of a bowl game.

If anyone including the players/coaches/fans/etc. do not get this - they don't deserve a national championship.