AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > January > 01 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USThe Gators didn’t plan on a loss
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Some final New Year’s Day observations as we head into tonight’s Sugar Bowl:
The Gators didn’t plan on a loss: The Capital One Bowl was supposed to be Florida’s launching pad for a run at the national championship in 2008. I’m not saying that the Gators can’t win it all with Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin as juniors. But at 9-4 Florida may not start next season in the top five. In fact, if Georgia beats Hawaii late tonight and finishes 11-2, the Bulldogs will probably be ahead of Florida in the preseason polls this summer. Now that will start a lively debate.
Kudos for Lloyd Carr: Having said all that about Florida, you have to give credit to Michigan. Those players wanted to send Lloyd Carr out as a winner and they played at a high level from the opening kickoff on. I think Florida was surprised by their intensity. You have to feel good for Carr, the Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year.
Great win for Tennessee: The Vols actually played well enough to beat Wisconsin a lot worse than they did (21-17), but we shouldn’t be surprised that it was a close game. That was the way that Tennessee won all season. The Vols lose quarterback Erik Ainge, who was great in his final game, but have a lot of good young talent coming back. Now Fulmer has to go out and hire a new offensive staff. Don’t be surprised if he makes at least one change on the defensive side of the ball as well.
The Hogs were worse than disappointing: I really thought Arkansas would compete in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri much better than they did. Those players had been through so much you would think they would be excited about playing on New Year’s Day. They didn’t look very excited to be there in the second half. Missouri is good, but they’re not that good (38-7).
Interim coaching staffs don’t win: The problem at Arkansas on Tuesday is the problem a bunch of teams are having this bowl season. Try as they might, interim coaching staffs and lame duck head coaches find it very difficult to hold things together. Going into tonight’s games, interim and lame duck coaches are 1-7 with Michigan’s Lloyd Carr being the only winner. The losers thus far are: Georgia Tech, Arkansas, UCLA, Navy, Texas A&M, Southern Miss, and Houston.
Comments
By gregodawg
January 1, 2008 6:38 PM | Link to this
Third!
By NRBQ
January 1, 2008 7:06 PM | Link to this
The Florida game wasn’t that close.
Two of Michigan’s turnovers should have been TD’s, and another of them led to an easy Gator score, so they could have won by 3 touchdowns or more.
They beat down the Gators the same way Georgia did - pounding on Tebow.
By 3 Rivers jacket
January 1, 2008 7:17 PM | Link to this
Tony- You as usual as good as you are just refuse to give any credit outside of the SEc. i know that the coaching chnage affected Ark. It does every team every time except when the coach is retiring as Carr is and that helps sometimes. But give Mizzou some credit. with the talent they have coming back they should contend for the national champ. also why all of a sudden does it matter where you finish this year for next year. There will be different teams and diferent schedules. Is it because you want to see Georgia ranked high in the prerseason soyou are helping the boys out in Athens. You do a great job but even the best of you need a little pasue sometimes.
By ShrikeMD
January 1, 2008 7:51 PM | Link to this
As a fan of SEC football, I was shocked at how poorly the Gators played against Michigan. Florida was thoroughly beaten, both at the line of scrimmage and at key positions, particularly quarterback. The defense looked particularly porous.
The score was deceptively close; the Gators didn’t deserve to win this game. As much as I enjoy claiming that the Big-10 (the mediocre half-dozen) is overrated, Michigan embarrassed us. Despite the facts that their coaching staff were packing their bags, and we were playing virtually at home (orlando), they looked far more prepared for this game than we were.
I hope that LSU was watching this game, so that they don’t underestimate OSU for the game that really counts.
By Mark
January 1, 2008 8:02 PM | Link to this
Great win for the Vols. Lousey play calling in the red zone.
By FLA DAWG
January 1, 2008 8:11 PM | Link to this
I NEVER thought Michigan would beat Florida! Michigan played the best football I think I have seen all year. I don’t believe anyone could have beaten them in this bowl game.
Funny, I also thought the Vols played alot better than the score indicated at the end of the game. Congrats Vols.
I didn’t think Arkansas would beat Mizzou but I didn’t think they would get beat that badly either.
You are wrong about Mizzou though Tony. They played some of the most physical, smashmouth college football this year.
By NCBravesFan
January 1, 2008 9:30 PM | Link to this
Hopefully Petrino got to watch the Hogs get their butts kicked up close and personal. Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy!
By GreenJacket
January 1, 2008 10:48 PM | Link to this
Florida’s defense better improve if they expect to challenge for a NC next year. Congrats to Carr going out on a winning note. I would not mind if Arkansas ever wins another game. I will be loving every Petrino loss at Arkansas! USC looks very strong.
By bamadon
January 2, 2008 6:36 AM | Link to this
The gators looked like a bunch of idiots before the game with Michigan. Glad to see that the Georgia Bulldogs made the SEC look good last night!! Hawaii had no business being in the Sugar Bowl in the first place. Give the Vols some love today also, but Fulmer will hire Kirby Brown has OC. The hogs played like they did not want to play at all!! ROLL TIDE AND GO DAWGS!!
By Bham Tiger
January 2, 2008 7:20 AM | Link to this
All this barking by the pups about NEXT YEAR! Seems like we’ve heard this over and over the past several years, but the same scenario plays out, they never make it. Meanwhile we go for BCS Championship #2 in 4 years on Monday night. Oh well, the pups can dream can’t they?
GEAUX TIGERS!
By bull-gator
January 2, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
Once again the Gator’s non-existent pass defense, poor tackling techniques, lack of a quality running game, and the underacheiving offensive line led to the beat down. It shouldn’t even have been that close. Meyer and his staff better fix this thing or next season will be 8-5 or 7-6. Mattison, Mullen, and Strong need to get their act together ‘cause they got outcoached most of the year. Tebow and Harvin cannot carry this team every game. Somebody needs to step it up big time…
By urbanjustice
January 2, 2008 7:48 AM | Link to this
Georgia should be feeling nice about now… they played Hawaii well, yet, likely would’ve lost against Michigan. Real UF fans are not too concerned about their chances in 2008. UGA finally wins one against the Gators and now they are the real deal? I’ve heard that one before; about 20 times:))))
By GatorBait
January 2, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
You’re right urbanjustice, these UGAg fans win one game and they all of a sudden think of themselves as national champions. Of course, everyone in the SEC knows that UGAg fans are the most delusional of all fans. They had a great game last night, but I doubt they will even win the division next year (like this year).
As for the Gators, we might have not put our best foot forward yesterday, and I’m dissapointed that our team wasn’t better prepared. But if you’re talking about next year, the Gators will be the team to beat, not just for UGAg but the rest of the country. I can’t wait!
If you’re not a GATOR then you’re just GATOR BAIT!
By FastFreddie
January 2, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
NRBQ, if you are any kind of SEC fan at all, it is incumbent upon you to offer the Gators your services as one of their coordinators, at the very least offensive line coach. Such insight and brilliance are amazing. Your talents are being wasted in your current occupation.
By john
January 2, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this
At South Carolina. At Arizona State. At LSU. Vs Kentucky, Florida, Tenn, Auburn, GT. UGA may start preseason ranked high but won’t finish there.
By Eric1
January 2, 2008 9:16 AM | Link to this
Gimme a freakin break. Dogs beat Honolulu High School, now they want to take on the National Championship. Typical I guess. Congratulations on your “BIG” win, Bull-Dogs.
By Spike
January 2, 2008 2:25 PM | Link to this
Yea, Gators, keep talking. A four loss season. Nice going. Thanks for making the SEC look good in your own back yard, especially with that pre game performance.
By DrKnowledge
January 2, 2008 3:08 PM | Link to this
As a long time Gator fan and alumn, I say congrats to Michigan….guess nobody told them they were supposed to lose. I am in the dark as to why Urban Meyer, a great coach IMHO, allows the Gators to slide toward thug behavior with the center of the field mess before the game, the constant trash talking, and the almost constant posing after each play. It doesn’t speak well for my university and I hope he takes somes steps to clean it up. GO GATORS!!!!
By Steve
January 2, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Hey Gaitorbait,
Maybe you did put your best foot forward!
By duffy69
January 2, 2008 4:30 PM | Link to this
Congrats on Michigan wiping the smug smirks off Gator faces. If they ever lose either Tebow or Harvin they would be a very average team. God help them if they lost both. You can bet that every SEC defensive coordinator will be watching game tape to learn the Michigan blitzes. When Timmy has pressure he becomes nothing but a big fullback.
By Gator Nation
January 3, 2008 11:14 AM | Link to this
The Tim Tebow hate is evident, but unwarranted. We lost to Michigan by not making them punt when they were on offense. We scored 35 points and had a lead in the late 4th quarter. We lost to Georgia also by not being able to stop their offense. Both times we were beat because our defense is pathetic.
Before you decide to hate someone, try out some objective angles first. You may learn something.
By Wes
January 3, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this
Gator Nation, UF and the SEC get to trash talk for a month about how sucky the Big Ten and Mich is, but now that they have to wear that shoe, NOW you want everyone to play nice? Yeah, sure. You expect everyone but your side to be sportmenlike. Good luck with that.
By True Dawg
January 3, 2008 3:10 PM | Link to this
I was happy to see the Gators lose against Michigan especially since Tebow (the joke) was given a Heisman trophy. He certainly proved that he didn’t deserve it or Brennan for that matter. There are many of other good players that deserved it way more than they did.
To those mocking the Dawgs…we should have played in the National Championship game. We were poorly matched up with Hawaii. They were undefeated but never played anybody as tough as the SEC. We should have been matched up with a tougher team and I believe we still would have won. In spite of what most of you say, I believe that the Dawgs are going to have an awesome year next year. GOOOOOOOO Dawgs!
By Gator Nation
January 4, 2008 8:03 AM | Link to this
Wes,
Read my post again. All I said was that our defense lost the game. Not Tebow. If anyone saw different during the game, then they know as much about football as my dog.
By GAYTURD BAIT
January 4, 2008 1:50 PM | Link to this
GAY-TURDS GAY-TURDS
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH