Gator Country

Danielmaddie · 01-09-2013, 09:14 PM

Listening to early predictions and preseason rankings for 2013, losing the Sugar Bowl might have been the best thing to happen to this team. Obviously they play better as underdogs than favorites( which needs to be fixed) and 2013 is going to be no different now then 2012. Florida is going to be expected to finish 3rd again in the SEC East and finish 9-3. The Gators are going to be hungry and prime to surprise again in 2013.

RealDeal · 01-09-2013, 09:21 PM

winning at south carolina and LSU and GA in jax---3 difficult games. Driskel, the Oline and WRs need huge improvement.

Tipmoose · 01-09-2013, 10:09 PM

That sugar bowl loss will help Florida more than we'll ever know.

Danielmaddie · 01-09-2013, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealDeal

winning at south carolina and LSU and GA in jax---3 difficult games. Driskel, the Oline and WRs need huge improvement.

South Carolina will be by far our toughest game, LSU will be in Death Valley but they will be totally rebuilding their defense so I don't think it will be as daunting as recent years and Georgia is loosing alot on defense as well and as we all know defense wins championships and their defense was the only thing that had an edge against us in 2012 besides our mistakes. Are we going to go undefeated? Most likely not but I actually think our schedule sets up nicely.

**gatorkarl** · 01-09-2013, 10:27 PM

I've read a couple of post saying something similar and I just haven't been able to see anything that could be considered positive about that beat down, we got soundly beaten by an inferior team.

**adgator** · 01-09-2013, 10:36 PM

Sorry I am not from the Ron Zook school of coaching where he believes that losing is a good learning experience!! No reason in the world to have lost The Sugar Bowl---Gators are far superior team and even with a less then average O-Line and pass rush (that day) we win 9 out of 10 against these guys! And we didn't learn a damed thing. That game cost us being ranked # 2 team in the final polls with a good argument for # 1 since we beat the TA&M team that beat Alabama on their home field!!!!!

Danielmaddie · 01-09-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gatorkarl

I've read a couple of post saying something similar and I just haven't been able to see anything that could be considered positive about that beat down, we got soundly beaten by an inferior team.

Inferior team, probably but we have to admit a lot can happen when a team has a month to prepare vs. one week. I realize we had the same amount of time as well but things change bowl season, I also have the opinion that some players checked out early

ces1948 · 01-09-2013, 10:59 PM

I wouldn't feel nearly as bad about the loss if we hadn't looked so unprepared, undisciplined and umm poorly coached. Other than that everything was hunky dory.

mfpardnor2 · 01-09-2013, 11:14 PM

The loss gives the Strength and Conditioning Coaches fuel to get the boys pissed off and primed to give it their all instead of reading how good they're gonna be.

It sucks to have lost that way in the Sugar Bowl, but we were in a no win situation and I see only positive things coming for 2013 from this beat down.

GatorBen · 01-09-2013, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mfpardnor2

The loss gives the Strength and Conditioning Coaches fuel to get the boys pissed off and primed to give it their all instead of reading how good they're gonna be.

It sucks to have lost that way in the Sugar Bowl, but we were in a no win situation and I see only positive things coming for 2013 from this beat down.

Yup, instead of hearing how good we will be, they are going to get their faces rubbed in that embarrassment all summer long. I expect we will see a very angry, very hungry Gator team when fall rolls around.

sierragator · 01-09-2013, 11:40 PM

A better way of putting this is for the team and coaches to channel the frustration from that gag job into motivation to make a better showing for the entire season next year (including the bowl game).

**drramer** · 01-09-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adgator

Sorry I am not from the Ron Zook school of coaching where he believes that losing is a good learning experience!! No reason in the world to have lost The Sugar Bowl---Gators are far superior team and even with a less then average O-Line and pass rush (that day) we win 9 out of 10 against these guys! And we didn't learn a damed thing. That game cost us being ranked # 2 team in the final polls with a good argument for # 1 since we beat the TA&M team that beat Alabama on their home field!!!!!

Well said, especially about arguing for #1

Spurffelbow833 · 01-09-2013, 11:44 PM

I like the idea of getting another year to fly under the radar.

pinecrestgator · 01-09-2013, 11:55 PM

I agree with the OP. This is how think bowl games affect the following offseason. Wining a bowl game helps propel a team that is brining back an experienced team. In other words, it is returning leadership. When the team is losing several starters, I think a big bowl win can be fool's gold. It can create a false sense of security especially with the unwarranted media hype. The bottom line is that several players will have to mature and take on a bigger role for our team. We need these players to have a mean/angry offseason. They need a chip on their shoulder. That's why I think the loss to Lousiville helps our team this particular off-season.

GatorAvatar · 01-10-2013, 01:17 AM

Maybe Bama should have lost to ND...now they are gonna suck next year.

malscott · 01-10-2013, 01:39 AM

I believe the bowls are just as important as any other game we play. It ends the season on either a loss or a win. Losing is losing. It blows. Then there's the rationalization. Now that we have lost we obviously need to turn it into a motivation for next year. Humiliation can easily be turned into humility. I don't see why we shouldn't do as well next year as we did this year. Maybe better. Good players, good coaching, decent recruits coming in. We know what's at stake. IMHO we'll need to bring our offensive prowess in at least 50th to 75th to have a chance. Being ranked over 100 will just not cut it. If you flounder with turnovers you just can't dig out of it with a pedestrian offensive effort. Here's to massive continued improvement ...Go Gators.

UGator · 01-10-2013, 04:25 AM

The coaches apparently felt the team had practiced and prepared well enough to win against UL but Bridgewater played better than any QB we've faced so far.

Players leaving early for the NFL don't have the same emotional drive and focus to win in bowl games, since the risk of injury could jeopardize their draft status. We obviously did not match the emotion of UL and got behind early, and our offense was not able to match a hot team and Bridgewater's talent.

Let's hope that the coaches realize that every game can be lost if we don't develop a balanced team, yes...even an offense, if we expect to challenge for the SEC title.

gatorich · 01-10-2013, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adgator

Sorry I am not from the Ron Zook school of coaching where he believes that losing is a good learning experience!! No reason in the world to have lost The Sugar Bowl---Gators are far superior team and even with a less then average O-Line and pass rush (that day) we win 9 out of 10 against these guys! And we didn't learn a damed thing. That game cost us being ranked # 2 team in the final polls with a good argument for # 1 since we beat the TA&M team that beat Alabama on their home field!!!!!

Do you really think we had any argument for #1 with a win over Louisville? I am talking about how the media would look at it....wasn't going to come close to happening. I'm not even sure we keep Oregon from #2, no matter how badly we had won that game, everyone would have just said it was Louisville.

mikehev · 01-10-2013, 07:35 AM

Agree with OP. 2007's UGA game served as motivation for 2008. The 07 team also laid an egg and lost to an inferior Michigan team that was playing their hearts out for their coach in the bowl game.

1996 got waxed by Nebraska, and came back to win it all the next year.

Hopefully, these Gators learned something about preparation and are better because of it.

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16

mikehev · 01-10-2013, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adgator

Sorry I am not from the Ron Zook school of coaching where he believes that losing is a good learning experience!! No reason in the world to have lost The Sugar Bowl---Gators are far superior team and even with a less then average O-Line and pass rush (that day) we win 9 out of 10 against these guys! And we didn't learn a damed thing. That game cost us being ranked # 2 team in the final polls with a good argument for # 1 since we beat the TA&M team that beat Alabama on their home field!!!!!

No disrespect intended, but Ron Zook never came close to appearing in, much less losing a BCS bowl. Not sure that is a valid comparison.

In Christ forever,
Mike
John 3:16