2008-10-05T08:45:00.000-07:00

Just Trying Won't Get it Done by Buddy Martin

College football being such a great game, full of surprise and ecstasy and heartbreak, we often give way to the mythology that success is merely the byproduct of effort and a strong work ethic.

That makes for nice rhetoric and, while partly true, it may also be said that the teams at 0-5 are trying just as hard as those at 5-0. Indeed, effort is important, but talent, skill, execution of a good game plan, player intelligence and smart coaching decisions probably count for more. Halftime and pre-game exhortations not so much. The Gipper speech ain’t what it used to be.

I expect the Florida Gators to give a good account of themselves Saturday in Fayetteville, Ark.

The news for Gator fans that practices have been brisk and productive in Gainesville is good. No doubt Urban Meyer will have his team inspired and ready to play Arkansas. But will it be enough, or will mistakes of Saturday last reappear?

Meyer’s teams usually play hard and intelligently, priding themselves on defense, field position and ball security.

The most distressing aspects of the Gators’ performance in the 31-30 loss to Mississippi were the special teams mistakes, turnovers and blown plays. Not the least of the latter were three overthrows of wide-open receivers made by Tim Tebow.

Losing one game is not the end of football life itself, because we all know the possibility/probability of a one-loss team playing for the national championship is strong. We also know all roads lead through Atlanta.

Granted, losing to a mediocre SEC team with two losses is not exactly a harbinger of league dominance either. But it was more about how Ole Miss won.

Though admittedly it’s time now to look beyond that late September hiccup, we cannot really move forward until questions are answered. Even Meyer, when pressed about whether his team has responded to getting “hit in the mouth” has said over and over, “It’s too early to tell.”

At the same time, we’d do well to look at the calendar and note that we’ve barely made a dent in the ’08 season. Furthermore, most of the top teams have schedules full of potential losses and, in fact, many will play each other.

So it’s early and the BCS dance cards are not yet full. Don’t panic, it’s a long season and this is not going to be a runaway race for the new national champion.

So many of the ranked teams play each other. Either LSU and Alabama won’t be unbeaten after they meet on Nov. 8 – or maybe even before they play. The Tigers have to win over the Gators first and then face South Carolina and Georgia and Alabama has Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee

Texas has to play both Oklahoma and Missouri in the next three weeks.

So a lot of teams are still alive for the big prize.

The Florida Gators’ effort will play a large role in their future, but if they are going to get to Atlanta, and beyond, they must play with intelligence and precision.

Quick Jump Starts

I’m beginning to agree with the theory that intensity of fan support in “The Swamp” might be lacking and that perhaps it stems from having it too good for too long.

According to my source very close to the SEC officiating office, Urban Meyer never filed an official protest charging that Ole Miss “hurdled” Florida’s line and there was very little question that it was called properly.

Understand his frustration with not wanting to dwell on past failures, but the job of the athletic director is not to suggest to the media following the coach’s press conference that they should be asking questions about the next game when there are so many unanswered about the last one.

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2008-10-04T11:27:00.000-07:00

Calling All Gator Fans

This Blog is about the Florida Gators. Stay tuned for more information, facts, and fun about the Gators. Coming to you for Rockhill, SC. And as I'm typing this, Brandon James just took the 2nd half kickoff back 94 yars, but there are flags on the play. I don't know why they kick the ball to Brandon, but I'm glad.

FAYETTEVILLE — Since joining the SEC for the 1992 football season, Arkansas has beaten each of the other 11 conference schools except one. The Razorbacks remain 0 for Florida. “That doesn’t really surprise me. That’s just Florida,” said Anthony Lucas, Arkansas’ career leader with 2, 879 receiving yards from 1995-1999. “But it makes me mad. It’s like we can’t beat Florida for anything.” Arkansas will get another shot at No. 12 Florida today, but achieving that breakthrough victory doesn’t look good 1 considering the Gators are 24 / 2-point favorites.

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