Agree with most of what you are saying - I think most here do. This team has to show improvement this year. Whether that is a better record or more impressive showings, I don't see how most Gator fans would disagree. Billy gets credit for building a pretty impressive roster but the same shit show in some of our big games like we had last year and he's gone or should be. We again have a ridiculous schedule so - I wouldn't quote final record as the dividing line and there are mitigating factors like untimely injuries and stuff like that. Btw - I don't care what anyone says but Ole Miss didn't have a miserable performance imo - we beat them. They had an elite defense and offense and we punched them in the mouth enough times that they caved. In the end, we knew they had to pass and we crushed and broke Jaxson Dart. A great game that was won by a very solid football team. We should be better this year. If we're not - yeah Napier should be gone.
I expect him to win the games we are the most talented team, kinda like bowl cut. How many teams on our schedule are more talented than we are.
Not to be contrary, but if he does that, and nothing else, is that good enough for you to give him another year or two? Do you think you are conventional in that thought? Are we content to say "we have a decent coach but we are in the 'monster schedule phase' and so we need to weather the storm until we get back to normal"? Aren't we going to a new normal to where every year is going to be a monster, at least in each teams' fans' minds? My thought is it is a nice idea and maybe I would embrace it (again, I like Mike White) but I believe what will manifest is either folks who will bring their pitchforks and torches because "Kiffen is available" or some other shiny penny or there will be a walk-away (including financial) en mass. I realize this thread was a snarky call for the football program to "catch up" to the basketball one (we found our new Billy, where is our new Urban?) and then went the philosophers showing off their doctoral dissertations. But as much as it is a way of killing time during the off-season, it is also a reminder that, while winning NCs in basketball is damn fun, football IS the king in this neck of the woods. And when someone is out hunting for gold and it looks promising (LSU and Old Miss are my pat answers), too many folks get gold fever and are wanting to do the same. I won't say "that IS what has to happen" but rather "that IS the way people in and around UF are wired". And in the end, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news but it seems to me to be the news. It is what it is.
I agree the defense improved but I believe a big reason for that was a new belief in the offense being able to score. It is deflating to a defense when you get stops and the offense just turns around and gives the ball back. Lagway raised the play of the entire team. We saw the difference when he was missing against Texas. The interception to touchdown ratio does not tell the whole story. I just don’t believe we win LSU or ole miss with Mertz.
Actually, I hope Napier succeeds. It would be the best scenario for all concerned. However, his offensive coaching acumen has not shown to be one that will lead to long term success to this point. To win consistently in the SEC you either have to a) recruit superior athletes compared to your competition or b) have a tactical advantage in play calling. Can we say so far he will be able to do either for the long term? I’m not sure.
The parallels between the two is the 1st thing that stood out to me. Get a generational QB, then Basketball wins Natty, of which our FB team decided to follow suit and win one too. Hopefully we can replicate that. Would be totally nuts if our BB team wins it back to back (it's possible) and lagway gets a Heisman trophy (also possible) to go along with a Natty (less likely of the 3 but also a possibility) ....or two before he leaves us. Would be like a glitch in the matrix if it played out the same way. Lol
