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A rollercoaster of a season so far but we hit a critical point
Posted on 10/4/26 at 12:06 pm
Posted on 10/4/26 at 12:06 pm
Initially, didn't like the Sumrall hire. Thought we messed up not getting Kiffin. But hired a respectable OC and thought alright it's a rebuild but there's a plan. Retain all the crucial players on this team and brought the OC's QB. So I thought okay maybe 5-7 or 6-6 depending on injuries or how other teams are playing. Goal was to make a bowl game and win it for momentum for next season. Recruit like a mad man and use the portal and next season will be very promising.
The season starts. W against auburn showed we had an actual offense with schemes and play designs and improved OL play with a game manager at QB. W against ole miss showed this coaching staff will have a gameplan and if executed properly, we can try to win every game. CFP aspirations with L's to only Texas and Georgia for a Year 1 HC was a dream for all fans.
But here we are. Yesterday's loss proved all my fears to be true. Inexperienced backup ACC QB who hasn't played a ton along with an OL that will get exposed against tougher competition happened. An OC's gameplan that relied too heavily on the run and didn't make proper adjustments to the passing game. Defense playing exactly how I thought they would against the better QBs and offenses but the lack of improvement and development is a big concern for the future.
Either it's a sign of things to come for the rest of the season or we win out at home and make it to 8-4 which would be amazing to me. Texas, Georgia, and Kentucky (truly hard to believe) look tough and this team isn't ready to play the tougher competition on the road in a hostile environment.
Looking forward to recruiting and the transfer portal. Plenty of opportunities to reshape this roster into a CFP contending team next season.
The season starts. W against auburn showed we had an actual offense with schemes and play designs and improved OL play with a game manager at QB. W against ole miss showed this coaching staff will have a gameplan and if executed properly, we can try to win every game. CFP aspirations with L's to only Texas and Georgia for a Year 1 HC was a dream for all fans.
But here we are. Yesterday's loss proved all my fears to be true. Inexperienced backup ACC QB who hasn't played a ton along with an OL that will get exposed against tougher competition happened. An OC's gameplan that relied too heavily on the run and didn't make proper adjustments to the passing game. Defense playing exactly how I thought they would against the better QBs and offenses but the lack of improvement and development is a big concern for the future.
Either it's a sign of things to come for the rest of the season or we win out at home and make it to 8-4 which would be amazing to me. Texas, Georgia, and Kentucky (truly hard to believe) look tough and this team isn't ready to play the tougher competition on the road in a hostile environment.
Looking forward to recruiting and the transfer portal. Plenty of opportunities to reshape this roster into a CFP contending team next season.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 1:11 pm to eaglegator92
I’m not going to rule out any chance of us winning against Texas or Georgia if VB3 and Thornton are playing.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 2:16 pm to boXerrumble
Both teams have elite line play on both sides of the ball. If you thought yesterday was bad, man you're in for a treat.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 2:35 pm to eaglegator92
Granted I've only watched some of the Auburn game and yesterday's game this season, but what I've seen is more of the same that we've seen every year since 2021.
I'd say the one of the main differences are that Faulkner and Sumrall are more willing to keep on the offensive against an overmatched opponent, while Napier was hyper conservative and tried to play ball control as soon as we had a double digit lead, which lead to the other team closing the gap.
But same stuff overall: poor line play, lack of effort, stubbornly sticking to what's not working, etc. Sumrall seemed completely overwhelmed and reactionary, played to not lose with that weak FG attempt to start the game and then panicked with that failed 4th down conversion attempt that fortunately Mizzou squandered with a missed FG (not that it made a difference).
The other difference between this year and the previous 2-3 is that we had a soft schedule in the month of September. We didn't have to open the season @ Utah, or against Miami, Texas A&M, LSU and the like. Instead we had FAU, a fcs team, and a bad Auburn team on the road. The one good team we faced was coming off a huge game, had their second best offensive player injured, and came into a fired up Swamp. Pretty similar to Texas last year, LSU/OM in 2024, and Tennessee in 2023.
While the past 2 years we faced good teams in September, this year we finally faced our first real test yesterday, and it showed more of the same.
Before the season I resolved to not devote much time watching this team until they give me a reason to, and the 4-0 start piqued my interest enough to give them a chance, ultimately leading me to the conclusion that not much has changed and to continue structuring my weekend plans around other things besides Gator Football for the forseeable future.
I'd say the one of the main differences are that Faulkner and Sumrall are more willing to keep on the offensive against an overmatched opponent, while Napier was hyper conservative and tried to play ball control as soon as we had a double digit lead, which lead to the other team closing the gap.
But same stuff overall: poor line play, lack of effort, stubbornly sticking to what's not working, etc. Sumrall seemed completely overwhelmed and reactionary, played to not lose with that weak FG attempt to start the game and then panicked with that failed 4th down conversion attempt that fortunately Mizzou squandered with a missed FG (not that it made a difference).
The other difference between this year and the previous 2-3 is that we had a soft schedule in the month of September. We didn't have to open the season @ Utah, or against Miami, Texas A&M, LSU and the like. Instead we had FAU, a fcs team, and a bad Auburn team on the road. The one good team we faced was coming off a huge game, had their second best offensive player injured, and came into a fired up Swamp. Pretty similar to Texas last year, LSU/OM in 2024, and Tennessee in 2023.
While the past 2 years we faced good teams in September, this year we finally faced our first real test yesterday, and it showed more of the same.
Before the season I resolved to not devote much time watching this team until they give me a reason to, and the 4-0 start piqued my interest enough to give them a chance, ultimately leading me to the conclusion that not much has changed and to continue structuring my weekend plans around other things besides Gator Football for the forseeable future.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 2:36 pm to eaglegator92
Georgia? Yes. Have you watched Texas at all?
Texas’ offense is not some world beater.
Texas’ offense is not some world beater.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 2:44 pm to Partha
Damn this was very well said. Don't blame you for not continuing to follow up next week. I've read quite a bit of your posts in the past. Hope to see you in the recruiting threads after the season. Thanks for the reply.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 2:53 pm to boXerrumble
Looking forward to watching UGA vs bama to really see if UGA is that good.
But yeah I watched that ohio state game and while it was early in the season, a lot of careless mistakes were made. Texas looked like the better team. The comeback impressed me.
The tenn game in an environment like that with Jim Knowles defense. Wasn't pretty but there's a reason to believe that they will improve a lot more as the season continues. With all that talent it's only a matter of time before they gel and really get rolling. Atleast their defense gives their offense multiple opportunities to score.
But yeah I watched that ohio state game and while it was early in the season, a lot of careless mistakes were made. Texas looked like the better team. The comeback impressed me.
The tenn game in an environment like that with Jim Knowles defense. Wasn't pretty but there's a reason to believe that they will improve a lot more as the season continues. With all that talent it's only a matter of time before they gel and really get rolling. Atleast their defense gives their offense multiple opportunities to score.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 3:03 pm to eaglegator92
Texas will be favored by 12+ against us.
But I absolutely think Florida can win that game.
I’m much more confident in them playing well in Austin than giving Georgia a fight in Atlanta.
But I absolutely think Florida can win that game.
I’m much more confident in them playing well in Austin than giving Georgia a fight in Atlanta.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 3:04 pm to eaglegator92
um..we did not keep all the key players...we lost a 5 star QB and are stuck with one who can't throw past ten yards very well. Stop us running, we are terrible right now. Hopefully Sumerall knows how bad we are at QB and does something in the portal or recruiting
Posted on 10/4/26 at 3:05 pm to boXerrumble
I'll let you keep your confidence in peace. Sadly won't be joining you in that.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 3:26 pm to Gatorbait2008
Ah I see we found a Lagway supporter. Don't worry friend. I am also a Lagway supporter. For all the Lagway haters, imagine if he had an OC like this with his elite arm talent. But yet you all hate him because you have to blame someone right?
Never was a Philo supporter and the game yesterday proved that. Game managers and system QBs need the entire team to be elite so they can look good too.
Btw he threw for 300 yards and 4 TDs last night. Could have used that.
Sumrall fricked that situation up by letting him go. Recruiting is fine with Will Griffin and Davin Davidson. But I agree with looking into the portal to get us another QB because this guy is average af.
Never was a Philo supporter and the game yesterday proved that. Game managers and system QBs need the entire team to be elite so they can look good too.
Btw he threw for 300 yards and 4 TDs last night. Could have used that.
Sumrall fricked that situation up by letting him go. Recruiting is fine with Will Griffin and Davin Davidson. But I agree with looking into the portal to get us another QB because this guy is average af.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 5:07 pm to eaglegator92
Lagway didn’t want to compete for the job.
I’m sorry but regardless of how talented you are, gtfo in that case.
Whatever we have in the QB room, I’m glad Lagway is gone.
I’m sorry but regardless of how talented you are, gtfo in that case.
Whatever we have in the QB room, I’m glad Lagway is gone.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 5:13 pm to boXerrumble
I think it was best for both parties to parties ways
Philo just has to do a better job at reading Defenses and seeing the field you can't miss Duke wude open in the end zone on 3rd and goal on the first drive
Would tramell had been better I don't know for sure a better runner, it might have been something to try at the start of the second half to give him a series just so philo could see what is going on from the sideline
Philo just has to do a better job at reading Defenses and seeing the field you can't miss Duke wude open in the end zone on 3rd and goal on the first drive
Would tramell had been better I don't know for sure a better runner, it might have been something to try at the start of the second half to give him a series just so philo could see what is going on from the sideline
Posted on 10/4/26 at 5:52 pm to eaglegator92
Lagway was a mental midget, on and off the field.
This post was edited on 10/4/26 at 5:53 pm
Posted on 10/4/26 at 5:54 pm to Partha
I will reserve judgment a little but I still have faith this offense can be decent the rest of the season if the O line doesn't have another game like that again. Defense doesn't look that good but I wouldn't throw this in with any of Napier's seasons as far as the first 5 games.
2022: Lost to KY at home and to TN on the road. Did beat a good Utah at home but still not a good start to the season. (Napiers best 5 game start)
2023: Got smoked at KY and handled at Utah.
2024: Destroyed by Miami at home and handled at A&M.
2025: Lost to a G6 team at home, lost at LSU and got smoked at Miami. We did upset TX but that doesn't make up for that train wreck during the prior 3 games.
2022: Lost to KY at home and to TN on the road. Did beat a good Utah at home but still not a good start to the season. (Napiers best 5 game start)
2023: Got smoked at KY and handled at Utah.
2024: Destroyed by Miami at home and handled at A&M.
2025: Lost to a G6 team at home, lost at LSU and got smoked at Miami. We did upset TX but that doesn't make up for that train wreck during the prior 3 games.
This post was edited on 10/4/26 at 5:59 pm
Posted on 10/4/26 at 5:57 pm to AlbinoGator
Philo has the arm strength of a J.V. high school QB, it's bad. My biggest take away from yesterday was.... 1. I thought we had progressed from the type of game where our players. Mainly our DB's quit. They quit yesterday. Our Linebackers are out of position, more times than not. The Napier mentality and effort level returned yesterday. Too many soft, spoiled, entitled players.
2. Did Buster Faulkner not prepare for the fact that Mizzou was going to go all out to stop the run? He may have, or he may have not. My real fear is he did and Philo showed everyone, he's not capable of being a QB who can win a game, when the defense stops the run.
2. Did Buster Faulkner not prepare for the fact that Mizzou was going to go all out to stop the run? He may have, or he may have not. My real fear is he did and Philo showed everyone, he's not capable of being a QB who can win a game, when the defense stops the run.
Posted on 10/4/26 at 6:01 pm to gatordmb89
For the Lagway fans
This post was edited on 10/4/26 at 6:02 pm
Posted on 10/4/26 at 6:03 pm to GaryGator
Our backup I dont think is someone either that can excel if the blocking is real bad. I know he was a freshman but Jones looked prone to bad stuff under duress in the KY game last season. Constantly throwing short of the 1st down spot on 3rd down where the player wasnt in position to advance the ball and tried to give the ball to KY a couple of times but they dropped what would have been picks.
I don't think we have the type of QB that can win a game when things are breaking down constantly. That takes a pretty good QB to do that against the better SEC defenses.
I don't think we have the type of QB that can win a game when things are breaking down constantly. That takes a pretty good QB to do that against the better SEC defenses.
This post was edited on 10/4/26 at 6:08 pm
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