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Cohen Make or Break Time
Posted on 10/2/16 at 9:10 pm
Posted on 10/2/16 at 9:10 pm
Copy from another poster on separate site. The writer has been covering UF for a long time.
Marty Cohen: Make-or-Break Time
Full disclosure – decided to wait until the end of the Tennessee-Georgia game to write this piece, seeing how critical that outcome was to the SEC East race, even at this early juncture. As a result, this is the third revision – was that an ending or what? With the North Carolina kicker nailing a 54-yard field goal to knock off Florida State just moments earlier . . . well there’s a reason this is the greatest sport around.
Anyway, thanks to one stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Georgia player for taking his helmet off on the field after their incredible “game-winning” touchdown with 10 seconds left, which allowed Tennessee the opportunity to even toss one in the endzone, Florida’s fortunes in the East went from temporarily looking great to again needing help the next two Saturdays. The thought here is that Tennessee is going to get knocked off by Texas A&M on the road and Alabama at home, but the way the Vols have reversed recent fortune and are inventing ways to win, no prediction is iron-clad anymore.
Well, except that Florida beats Vanderbilt. It’s now 25 of the last 26, and 13 straight in Nashville. Yes the Commodores often play the Gators tough, but with the exception of stealing one during the seven-game losing skid in 2013, during which Gainesville High probably would have knocked off the reeling Gators, Vandy finds a way to put up a struggle but ultimately fall.
As for the Gators, the only conclusion to draw from Saturday’s somnambulism impression was that it’s a good thing the opponent was Vanderbilt, because there simply weren’t many other teams they would have come out on the winning side against with the performance we witnessed in Nashville. It was many years ago, when I was a teenager, that a bad, aching tooth required root canal – that experience was more enjoyable than watching the Gators’ 13-6 triumph over the Commodores.
Once again it was another eyesore on offense, the kind Gator fans have been treated to way, way, way too many times the past few seasons. There was the notion that this stuff was all Treon Harris’ fault, that we would not see offense this offensive again now that Treon was no longer with the program. Well, perhaps it wasn’t all on Treon, because this 236-yard, 15-first down, 13-point outing was simply another page from the recent chapters of ineptitude penned by both Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain. In fact, this was way too reminiscent of the type of play that got Muschamp fired, the ugly blueprint which produces little excitement, little reason for optimism, and possibly, some empty seats this Saturday afternoon/morning.
Ugh, the noon kickoff against LSU is a bad deal in so many respects, not only for the fans who lose a chance to truly tailgate before the most (only) significant home game on the schedule, but for the program as a whole. The early start delivers a major recruiting hit, because the Florida coaches had pointed to this game, generally a guarantee to be kicked off at 3:30 or under the lights, as the key contest for recruiting purposes. Many prime targets were expected to attend what was hoped to be a raucous atmosphere, instead it will be a somewhat tepid affair that many recruits who live a few hours away will likely bypass. Having to play a prep game on Friday night, the idea of making it to Gainesville for a noon kickoff, especially for south Florida recruits who will surely opt to go to Florida State-Miami, is a crippling blow.
So Florida lurches forward with a needed road victory as it returns home for a pair against LSU and Missouri, with just one more league road contest left at Arkansas in early November. The win was essential, but the manner it was achieved leaves as many questions as answers.
On top of the complete meltdown in the second half against Tennessee, the offense has now put together six horrific quarters of football. The late touchdown against the Vols was relatively meaningless as the outcome had been decided, and both the players and coaches chose to praise the Commodores’ defense, the same crew that allowed 24 to Middle Tennessee, 31 to Georgia Tech and 30 to Western Kentucky the prior three contests. Please.
Marty Cohen: Make-or-Break Time
Full disclosure – decided to wait until the end of the Tennessee-Georgia game to write this piece, seeing how critical that outcome was to the SEC East race, even at this early juncture. As a result, this is the third revision – was that an ending or what? With the North Carolina kicker nailing a 54-yard field goal to knock off Florida State just moments earlier . . . well there’s a reason this is the greatest sport around.
Anyway, thanks to one stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on a Georgia player for taking his helmet off on the field after their incredible “game-winning” touchdown with 10 seconds left, which allowed Tennessee the opportunity to even toss one in the endzone, Florida’s fortunes in the East went from temporarily looking great to again needing help the next two Saturdays. The thought here is that Tennessee is going to get knocked off by Texas A&M on the road and Alabama at home, but the way the Vols have reversed recent fortune and are inventing ways to win, no prediction is iron-clad anymore.
Well, except that Florida beats Vanderbilt. It’s now 25 of the last 26, and 13 straight in Nashville. Yes the Commodores often play the Gators tough, but with the exception of stealing one during the seven-game losing skid in 2013, during which Gainesville High probably would have knocked off the reeling Gators, Vandy finds a way to put up a struggle but ultimately fall.
As for the Gators, the only conclusion to draw from Saturday’s somnambulism impression was that it’s a good thing the opponent was Vanderbilt, because there simply weren’t many other teams they would have come out on the winning side against with the performance we witnessed in Nashville. It was many years ago, when I was a teenager, that a bad, aching tooth required root canal – that experience was more enjoyable than watching the Gators’ 13-6 triumph over the Commodores.
Once again it was another eyesore on offense, the kind Gator fans have been treated to way, way, way too many times the past few seasons. There was the notion that this stuff was all Treon Harris’ fault, that we would not see offense this offensive again now that Treon was no longer with the program. Well, perhaps it wasn’t all on Treon, because this 236-yard, 15-first down, 13-point outing was simply another page from the recent chapters of ineptitude penned by both Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain. In fact, this was way too reminiscent of the type of play that got Muschamp fired, the ugly blueprint which produces little excitement, little reason for optimism, and possibly, some empty seats this Saturday afternoon/morning.
Ugh, the noon kickoff against LSU is a bad deal in so many respects, not only for the fans who lose a chance to truly tailgate before the most (only) significant home game on the schedule, but for the program as a whole. The early start delivers a major recruiting hit, because the Florida coaches had pointed to this game, generally a guarantee to be kicked off at 3:30 or under the lights, as the key contest for recruiting purposes. Many prime targets were expected to attend what was hoped to be a raucous atmosphere, instead it will be a somewhat tepid affair that many recruits who live a few hours away will likely bypass. Having to play a prep game on Friday night, the idea of making it to Gainesville for a noon kickoff, especially for south Florida recruits who will surely opt to go to Florida State-Miami, is a crippling blow.
So Florida lurches forward with a needed road victory as it returns home for a pair against LSU and Missouri, with just one more league road contest left at Arkansas in early November. The win was essential, but the manner it was achieved leaves as many questions as answers.
On top of the complete meltdown in the second half against Tennessee, the offense has now put together six horrific quarters of football. The late touchdown against the Vols was relatively meaningless as the outcome had been decided, and both the players and coaches chose to praise the Commodores’ defense, the same crew that allowed 24 to Middle Tennessee, 31 to Georgia Tech and 30 to Western Kentucky the prior three contests. Please.
This post was edited on 10/2/16 at 9:18 pm
3
Posted on 10/2/16 at 9:10 pm to gatorbait_007
Cont... This is on Florida. The Gators never got anything going as the offensive line, abused in the second half against Tennessee despite McElwain’s lukewarm backing of its play, was pushed around up front by Vandy. Repeat: pushed around up front by Vandy. That can’t happen, yet it did and doesn’t bode well with a much, much more athletic defensive front from LSU coming to town.
There aren’t really many personnel changes that can be made – can’t go to the waiver wire, make a trade or call somebody up from the minors. What does need to take place personnel-wise, provided he is ready to go, is a return to the huddle for quarterback Luke Del Rio. It’s simple to see this offense operates smoother with Del Rio in charge. Backup Austin Appleby had a terrific first half last week against Tennessee, but since then has really struggled. He wasn’t sharp Saturday despite completing 68 percent of his attempts (19 of 28), throwing for just 144 yards as the Gators just dinked, dunked and dinky-dunked some more. Tight end DeAndre Goolsby caught eight passes . . . for 37 yards. That’s ridiculous. He was supposed to be the tight end who could makes plays downfield, stretch the defense down the middle and cause mismatches, evidenced by his 16.3 yards per catch average last season, an impressive number for a tight end. This season, that number is cut in half, 8.0 yards per reception on 22 grabs.
Not only does Del Rio need to take over, but it’s time to shelve this four running back deal and pare it down to two – Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine. Scarlett has been the most effective runner all season and needs the opportunity to carry it 20 times, not two or three in a row and then on the sidelines for a few series. Offenses operate best with a number one tailback and Scarlett should be the guy, with Perine first up in the bullpen. There remains a role for Jordan Cronkrite, especially as a receiver out of the backfield (what happened to the idea of screen passes against Vandy?), with Mark Thompson the odd man out – he simply doesn’t run like a 240-pounder, just being honest from what we’ve seen. This is hardly a cure for all that ails the Florida offense, but it’s time to identify the playmakers and give them the opportunities to do their thing.
In the third phase of the equation, a tip of the cap to the special teams, which had a complete reversal from the subpar showing at Tennessee. The Gators were in command of the field position all game, with Vanderbilt starting all 11 possessions from its own 25-yard line or worse, with four beginning inside the 10-yard line. That’s a formula for success against any offense, especially one as anemic as Vanderbilt’s.
So Florida still needs some help in the SEC East as it enters what is basically the make-or-break match of 2016. The Gators cannot afford to lose a second conference game with four remaining after LSU, and must show they can beat a quality team. It’s that simple, the Gators have lost five in a row to ranked teams since the high-water mark, the shellacking of Ole Miss a year ago (last Oct. 3). Since then, the Gators are a mediocre 8-5 with two wins over Vandy along with one over Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida Atlantic, UMass, North Texas and a lousy Georgia squad. LSU may or may not be ranked this week, but the Tigers still represent SEC hierarchy, even with an interim head coach. It’s time Florida beats one of the big boys, bottom line.
And in a shortsighted sense, it’s a bit of a make-or-break affair for McElwain. There is no hot seat when you haven’t coached 20 games yet, but the grumbling about the offense, the grumbling about the sloppy play, is warranted. And the grumbling about getting hammered the last four times the Gators faced ranked teams – losses to Florida State, Alabama and Michigan last season and Tennessee a week ago (yes it was a 10-point setback, but it was also a second half hammer job) – is out there.
The only way to change the course of the narrative is to remain relevant, to remain competitive, to remain in the SEC East race, in short, to beat a quality team. Like LSU. On Saturday.
It’s been more than 365 days since the Gators laid one on a top-echelon opponent and a second conference loss would put a different spin on the second half of the season. This could possibly be the last chance in the regular season, given the devastating second losses suffered by Georgia and Florida State, to produce a significant win.
It’s simple – defend The Swamp on Saturday, or jockey for a second-tier bowl the rest of the way.
There aren’t really many personnel changes that can be made – can’t go to the waiver wire, make a trade or call somebody up from the minors. What does need to take place personnel-wise, provided he is ready to go, is a return to the huddle for quarterback Luke Del Rio. It’s simple to see this offense operates smoother with Del Rio in charge. Backup Austin Appleby had a terrific first half last week against Tennessee, but since then has really struggled. He wasn’t sharp Saturday despite completing 68 percent of his attempts (19 of 28), throwing for just 144 yards as the Gators just dinked, dunked and dinky-dunked some more. Tight end DeAndre Goolsby caught eight passes . . . for 37 yards. That’s ridiculous. He was supposed to be the tight end who could makes plays downfield, stretch the defense down the middle and cause mismatches, evidenced by his 16.3 yards per catch average last season, an impressive number for a tight end. This season, that number is cut in half, 8.0 yards per reception on 22 grabs.
Not only does Del Rio need to take over, but it’s time to shelve this four running back deal and pare it down to two – Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine. Scarlett has been the most effective runner all season and needs the opportunity to carry it 20 times, not two or three in a row and then on the sidelines for a few series. Offenses operate best with a number one tailback and Scarlett should be the guy, with Perine first up in the bullpen. There remains a role for Jordan Cronkrite, especially as a receiver out of the backfield (what happened to the idea of screen passes against Vandy?), with Mark Thompson the odd man out – he simply doesn’t run like a 240-pounder, just being honest from what we’ve seen. This is hardly a cure for all that ails the Florida offense, but it’s time to identify the playmakers and give them the opportunities to do their thing.
In the third phase of the equation, a tip of the cap to the special teams, which had a complete reversal from the subpar showing at Tennessee. The Gators were in command of the field position all game, with Vanderbilt starting all 11 possessions from its own 25-yard line or worse, with four beginning inside the 10-yard line. That’s a formula for success against any offense, especially one as anemic as Vanderbilt’s.
So Florida still needs some help in the SEC East as it enters what is basically the make-or-break match of 2016. The Gators cannot afford to lose a second conference game with four remaining after LSU, and must show they can beat a quality team. It’s that simple, the Gators have lost five in a row to ranked teams since the high-water mark, the shellacking of Ole Miss a year ago (last Oct. 3). Since then, the Gators are a mediocre 8-5 with two wins over Vandy along with one over Kentucky, South Carolina, Florida Atlantic, UMass, North Texas and a lousy Georgia squad. LSU may or may not be ranked this week, but the Tigers still represent SEC hierarchy, even with an interim head coach. It’s time Florida beats one of the big boys, bottom line.
And in a shortsighted sense, it’s a bit of a make-or-break affair for McElwain. There is no hot seat when you haven’t coached 20 games yet, but the grumbling about the offense, the grumbling about the sloppy play, is warranted. And the grumbling about getting hammered the last four times the Gators faced ranked teams – losses to Florida State, Alabama and Michigan last season and Tennessee a week ago (yes it was a 10-point setback, but it was also a second half hammer job) – is out there.
The only way to change the course of the narrative is to remain relevant, to remain competitive, to remain in the SEC East race, in short, to beat a quality team. Like LSU. On Saturday.
It’s been more than 365 days since the Gators laid one on a top-echelon opponent and a second conference loss would put a different spin on the second half of the season. This could possibly be the last chance in the regular season, given the devastating second losses suffered by Georgia and Florida State, to produce a significant win.
It’s simple – defend The Swamp on Saturday, or jockey for a second-tier bowl the rest of the way.
This post was edited on 10/2/16 at 9:11 pm
Posted on 10/2/16 at 9:19 pm to gatorbait_007
More from Marty:
That was an average Vanderbilt defense by any form of definition – 13th in the SEC in total defense, 10th in scoring defense, 11th in rushing defense, 14th (last) in passing defense, one that gave up 24 points to Middle Tennessee, 31 to Georgia Tech and 30 (24 in regulation) to Western Kentucky the prior three games, one that yielded 495 yards to Middle Tennessee, 511 to Georgia Tech and 496 to Western Kentucky (not to mention 308 to South Carolina, Will Muschamp’s South Carolina, in the season opener). And Florida got 13 points, 236 total yards, 92 on the ground, 144 in the air.
That was an average Vanderbilt defense by any form of definition – 13th in the SEC in total defense, 10th in scoring defense, 11th in rushing defense, 14th (last) in passing defense, one that gave up 24 points to Middle Tennessee, 31 to Georgia Tech and 30 (24 in regulation) to Western Kentucky the prior three games, one that yielded 495 yards to Middle Tennessee, 511 to Georgia Tech and 496 to Western Kentucky (not to mention 308 to South Carolina, Will Muschamp’s South Carolina, in the season opener). And Florida got 13 points, 236 total yards, 92 on the ground, 144 in the air.
Posted on 10/2/16 at 10:24 pm to gatorbait_007
That was a well written, well though out article. The recruiting gaffe of bringing in a huge recruiting weekend the same week as FSU-Miami is not lost on me either.
Things in the program are just shite right now. The only way to fix that is to win the fricking games. Just win. No more, "this is cool," bullshite. Just win the game.
Things in the program are just shite right now. The only way to fix that is to win the fricking games. Just win. No more, "this is cool," bullshite. Just win the game.
Posted on 10/2/16 at 10:58 pm to slayerxing
LSU was the one and only home game that had eye appeal back in the summer...cant fault coaches for not knowing that LSU would be untanked when we played.
I know Vandy got under a lot people;s skins because they think we should have blwon them out. Agree to a point but Vandy does seem to give us a hard time. Spurrier struggled with Vandy several times with outcomes similar to yesterdays game...and I mean powerful Spurrier teams. I remember Woody Widenhoffer (sp) was a defensive genius back then.
As for LSU...I feel strongly that the team will come out fired up. They will be glad to play in a friendly environment again.LSU would have been a really touch matchup last week after the firing of the coach and the emotions...they took it out against Mizzou.
We can stop the run game like we did last year for almost 3 full quarters til our three and out offense with Treon going 0-8 his last passes kept them on the field too long. Dont sell our defense short...some of the crap I saw about our DC is laughable...we are the # 1 defense in the SEC.
But I agree with the premise that LSU will tell us all we need to know about our team. We definitely need to run the ball well and keep from third and longs.
I know Vandy got under a lot people;s skins because they think we should have blwon them out. Agree to a point but Vandy does seem to give us a hard time. Spurrier struggled with Vandy several times with outcomes similar to yesterdays game...and I mean powerful Spurrier teams. I remember Woody Widenhoffer (sp) was a defensive genius back then.
As for LSU...I feel strongly that the team will come out fired up. They will be glad to play in a friendly environment again.LSU would have been a really touch matchup last week after the firing of the coach and the emotions...they took it out against Mizzou.
We can stop the run game like we did last year for almost 3 full quarters til our three and out offense with Treon going 0-8 his last passes kept them on the field too long. Dont sell our defense short...some of the crap I saw about our DC is laughable...we are the # 1 defense in the SEC.
But I agree with the premise that LSU will tell us all we need to know about our team. We definitely need to run the ball well and keep from third and longs.
Posted on 10/2/16 at 11:41 pm to gatorbait_007
I honestly think this Saturday is the beginning of the end for McElwain. I'm not even saying we have to win, but show some kind of improvement in offense that shows the fans that they are a competent team. But if we get trounced by a team with an interim coach at home, I don't expect the rest of the season to turn out very well.
We're only 2 wins away from being bowl eligible, and Florida is not the type of school that shouod rely on wins against teams like UMass, N. Texas and Presbyterian to get us there. Georgia fought Tennessee hard at home and I commend them for almost getting it done. But that game will not be a cake walk for us. LSU won't be one either after showing what they're capable of against Mizzou. And then there's Arkansas. We play them in Fayetteville and they've shown to possibly being a better team than us as well. At least they play like it. And then there's FSU. I'm not sure what their deal is at the moment, but they've had ur number for at least the last 2 years. I expect that game to be another retard fest. I honestly think we're a 6-6 team at best. Maybe 7-5, but this year so far declined into what looked to be a promising season into a complete and utter shite show.
Like I said, this Saturday will basically spell out what the rest of the season will look like, and I'm willing to bet that I'm wasting my time going to Gainesville for what I'm assuming will be a complete embarrassment.
We're only 2 wins away from being bowl eligible, and Florida is not the type of school that shouod rely on wins against teams like UMass, N. Texas and Presbyterian to get us there. Georgia fought Tennessee hard at home and I commend them for almost getting it done. But that game will not be a cake walk for us. LSU won't be one either after showing what they're capable of against Mizzou. And then there's Arkansas. We play them in Fayetteville and they've shown to possibly being a better team than us as well. At least they play like it. And then there's FSU. I'm not sure what their deal is at the moment, but they've had ur number for at least the last 2 years. I expect that game to be another retard fest. I honestly think we're a 6-6 team at best. Maybe 7-5, but this year so far declined into what looked to be a promising season into a complete and utter shite show.
Like I said, this Saturday will basically spell out what the rest of the season will look like, and I'm willing to bet that I'm wasting my time going to Gainesville for what I'm assuming will be a complete embarrassment.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 6:05 am to finchmeister08
Finch you are so negative....sell your tix to someone else who will yell their lungs out if you feel so negative about the outcome...Yee of little faith. I am still a Gator fan no matter what happens and have been since 1962...not changing now. Its a long season and lets see what happens...maybe Im wrong...but maybe Im right.
Bowl eligible? Please. I still think we have a chance at the SECCG....but if UT beats A&M (unlikely)on the road then I will concede that it would be very difficult. UT also plays Bama...so they dont have a cakewalk. We just need to take care of business. Football is a funny game.
Bowl eligible? Please. I still think we have a chance at the SECCG....but if UT beats A&M (unlikely)on the road then I will concede that it would be very difficult. UT also plays Bama...so they dont have a cakewalk. We just need to take care of business. Football is a funny game.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 6:19 am to reel_gator8
I'm hoping some tickets fall in my lap this week from people jumping off the band wagon so that I can go.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 6:19 am to reel_gator8
double post
This post was edited on 10/3/16 at 7:13 am
Posted on 10/3/16 at 7:28 am to reel_gator8
The coaches probably shouldn't have scheduled a big recruiting weekend for the LSU game given that it was FSU-Miami, but I'm not melting over that or anything. Just seems unwise.
The Vandy game was bad, but honestly, with UF's starting QB they win 24-6, or maybe even 28-6 and the complaining wouldn't be nearly as bad.
The LSU game, honestly, is just a bad match up for Florida. They'll need a little bit of good fortune to win that game, IMO.
The Vandy game was bad, but honestly, with UF's starting QB they win 24-6, or maybe even 28-6 and the complaining wouldn't be nearly as bad.
The LSU game, honestly, is just a bad match up for Florida. They'll need a little bit of good fortune to win that game, IMO.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 7:35 am to slayerxing
This is the biggest home game on the schedule.When would you want to schedule a recruiting weekend? Presbyterian when no one will show up and half the stands are empty?
Posted on 10/3/16 at 7:54 am to jefffan
Homecoming? IDK. Miami-FSU is a hard game for Florida prospects to skip.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 8:26 am to slayerxing
If Mac was doing well recruiting I wouldnt be so down on him and would be willing to let it play out as we stockpiled talent. Thats not happening. We are getting whipped in state by out of state teams.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 9:46 am to gatorbait_007
No doubt this October schedule of LSU, Missouri and Georgia will define the season. Even if we go 2-1 we will be OK, although I expect to win them all.
go Gators.
go Gators.
Posted on 10/3/16 at 4:20 pm to UFMatt
Slayer, if I didnt have my stepson (16 yrs old) with me I would be glad to give you a ticket....you should go and try to be near RVs and someone is bound to have tix cheap because someone didnt go and for the UK game people were selling tix for 30 dollars which is below face value.
Good luck and it will be a great time. IM me and I will give you my cell and exchange with me and I will see if any tiix are going at decent price and I can text you...will be up there at 9:30am
Good luck and it will be a great time. IM me and I will give you my cell and exchange with me and I will see if any tiix are going at decent price and I can text you...will be up there at 9:30am
Posted on 10/3/16 at 4:23 pm to UFMatt
quote:
No doubt this October schedule of LSU, Missouri and Georgia will define the season. Even if we go 2-1 we will be OK, although I expect to win them all.
go Gators.
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