Eliminating the QB Position

Kurt Roper finally figured it out: Florida has no quarterback.  And what do you know? When the Gators eliminated the QB position from the game plan, they actually won a game - and over a ranked Georgia team with playoff aspirations.  I like Jones and Taylor.  Before the game I kept reading about the return of the ground and pound offense, and I kept saying to my dad that Jones and Taylor would get a lot of touches in the game.  But even I didn't expect what I saw.  They combined for nearly 400 yards rushing, and Treon Harris finished the day completing 3 of 6 passes for 27 yards.  And it was glorious.

So that was amazing, and I still can't believe it happened.  What I also can't believe is that for the second straight year, Rutgers was blown out at homecoming in its first homecoming game in a new conference.  Last year in the AAC vs Houston, and this year in the Big Ten vs Wisconsin.  The weather was terrible.  It was cold and rainy and when I left the game I couldn't feel my toes and I was covered in mud.  But I was glad I went - and I was glad I got to enjoy a fat sandwich!

And the Huskers, of course, won.  That Auburn game was nuts, and Mississippi State looked lethargic.  It will be really interesting to see how the SEC West shakes out.  People are getting ahead of themselves in the SEC East.  Right now, Missouri is the clear favorite to head to the SEC Championship and lose.  Yes, I understand that if Missouri loses to Tennessee and then loses one more conference game, and if Georgia loses one more conference game, and if Florida beats Vanderbilt and South Carolina...Florida would go to the SEC Championship game.  That's a lot of IFs.  So Gator fans, don't get your hopes up.  We'll probably win another game or 2 this year, head to a meaningless bowl game, and Muschamp will get another year to prove himself.  But as I keep telling people (because it's still true for now), Muschamp is undefeated in Tallahassee as head coach of the Gators!

So, this weekend...

Oklahoma vs Baylor should be an interesting one.  I think the Sooners will squeak out a victory, but it should be a close one.  I'm pulling for Kentucky to beat Georgia...because, well, to hell with Georgia! I'd like to see Texas beat West Virginia.  I think Arizona State will knock off overrated Notre Dame.  Kansas State vs TCU should be another good one, and I'll take TCU.  Oregon needs to be careful at Utah.  One comment on the Ohio State-Michigan State game: Go Green, Go White.  Ohio State won't win this without cheating, which I wouldn't put past Urban Liar.  I think Alabama will beat LSU.  Auburn beats the Aggies.  Ole Miss and Miss State will win their cupcake games.  Rutgers and Nebraska both have bye weeks, so they can't lose.

Most importantly, Florida plays at Vanderbilt.  The streak was ruined last year, but I'd like to start a new one this year, and I'd like a chance at a bowl game this year. So come on Florida, just win!! Beat the Vols!!

Either way, Vanderbilt already got Gator'd

GO GATORS!!


Also - I watched the Florida vs. Barry exhibition basketball game last night.  I'm VERY excited for basketball season, which officially starts for the Gators in one week!! Lots of work to do on defense, and definitely need to develop more chemistry, but I can't conclude too much from an exhibition game.  This team will be much different than last year's group.  But there are some positives: Horford looked alert rebounding, Carter looked healthy, Chiozza seemed okay handling the ball, Robinson showed some shooting range, Hill still has remarkable speed, Frazier will of course still be awesome (despite an ice-cold second half last night), and we should have Walker for almost a full season this year - if he can stay out of trouble.  We'll see Chris Walker make his season debut November 21st against Louisiana Monroe, and I look forward to seeing his shot-blocking abilities help our team defensively - and hopefully he'll add a spark on offense as well.  Florida basketball! FANTASTIC!

Sometimes You Just Need a Bye Week

Yes, I took last week off from writing.  After seeing Florida's/Driskel's performance against Missouri, I needed to join the Gators in having a bye week.  I'm pretty sure that game was not an actual football game.  It was something.  It was on a football field.  The participants wore football uniforms and had a football.  But that, my friends, was not football.  It certainly was not Gator football.  I needed an extra week to recover from it.

So things have been shaking up in the top 25, and I really don't know who's good this year.  TCU has a good offense, clearly.  Alabama looks like it's finally shaping up, but I wouldn't be surprised if they lose another game.  Mississippi State looks good.  Ole Miss will lose again.  Oregon...still suspect.  FSU is awful  Like really, really, really bad at football.  Louisville killed me last night.  They squandered every opportunity in that game.  Honestly, I've watched FSU and I've actually paid attention.  I'm SO sick of the media hyping the "undefeated defending national champions."  Umm, wake up.  FSU could easily be 3-5 right now if not for some bad calls and good luck.  Yes, I said 3-5.  Go back and watch the games vs Oklahoma State, Clemson, NC State, Notre Dame and of course Louisville.  Could have lost all of those.  And none of those teams are very good.  So it's pathetic that they could have lost all five.  But I'm supposed to believe FSU can contend for a national title this year? No chance.  Sure, go ahead...say I'm biased because I went to Florida.  Say my judgment is clouded because of the off-the-field issues.  But WHEN (notice I didn't say IF) FSU loses, I will say back to you, "I TOLD YOU SO."  Fun fact: Jameis Winston threw as many picks against Louisville as Geno Smith did against the Bills on Sunday.

So last weekend, one of my teams beat the other.  I was win-win for me.  But I'm hoping both Rutgers and Nebraska win this weekend.  I'm going to the Wisconsin-Rutgers game tomorrow, and I'd really like to rush the field after a Scarlet Knights' victory.

Nebraska will have no problem with Purdue.  I'll pick TCU to beat West Virginia.  I'll actually pick Kentucky to win at Missouri.  Mississippi State will definitely beat Arkansas (lock of the week).  Stanford will give it a good try, but Oregon wins this year.  I'm of course picking Illinois -- not because I think they're good, but just because I hate Ohio State.  I'll pick UCLA at home over Arizona and Arizona State at home over Utah.

But more important than all of these....GO GATORS!  TO HELL WITH GEORGIA!!!!