Damn, I’m a Georgia fan, but reading Pete Fiutak’s rosy assessment of Will Muschamp’s situation this year, even I have to cringe a little for the Gators.
… The coaches are in place, the infrastructure of Florida athletics is peerless, and the cupboard is fully stocked with one of the five best talent bases in the country, if not No. 1. Everything is set up perfectly for a good coach to step in, turn the key, and win very, very big right away, meaning there’s more pressure on Muschamp than just about any other recent new coach has had to deal with.
Yeesh. Of course, the best part is how Fiutak winds up hedging his bet before he even finishes his article.
… The season will be a success if … the Gators win the SEC East. Things might not be back to national title form quite yet, but it shouldn’t take much to be the best team in the division. The problem is the schedule with the three brutal road games against LSU, Auburn, and South Carolina, to go along with the home date with Alabama, which will make just winning the division and getting back to the title game a major achievement.
I wonder how many Gator fans think John Brantley is the eighth-best player on the team.
Get The Picture 
Aside from the fact they have what projects to be a bad offensive line, no proven receivers, and a QB who may or may not suck, they’re set up perfectly for a run at the East.
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+1 for the shorter Fiutiak
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Let’s not forget, their 2 “best” players combined for 48 tackles and 1 sack last season, while both played in all 13 games. Now, I’m sure they’ll put up better numbers this year, but I’ve already seen talk of them helping to make Florida’s DL “easily the best in the nation” and I just don’t get it. I’m not saying Ronald Powell and Sharrif Floyd are busts, but I wouldn’t call them the 2 best players on that roster either. For comparison, DeAngelo Tyson and Abry Jones combined for 70 tackles and 2.5 sacks in 13 games played last year….would anyone rate those 2 among our Top 10 players, let alone #1 & #2?
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I’m giving their defense the benefit of the doubt for now, but you’re right. There’s not much reason for hyping that side of the ball either. Especially with Jenkins gone.
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The Dawgs have enough issues for a fan to be concerned with.. even so, I try to pull for almost every SEC Team to a point but, considering how things have gone for our team in Jacksonville.
I never cringe for the Gators… ever.
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These pigskin prognosticators are like economists. “Things look this way, but on the other hand things look that way.”
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“Pigskin Prognosticators”….reminds me of Leonard’s Losers. I loved me some Leonard Postoasties.
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Leonard Post was waaaay better at pickin’ winners than Fiutak or for that matter that entire ESPN crowd.
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And a lot more fun to listen to than the clowns we have now.
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Noticed that Fiutak didn’t mention Georgia. Good. Everyone keep their attention focused on others. Obviously he didn’t ask Muschamp who he thought was the fiercest foe. That would be the team that he preceeds with an open week.
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The “cupboard is fully stocked with one of the five best talent bases in the country, if not No. 1”. The state of FL does have plenty of great players. So do the states of GA, CA and TX. As Dawgs fans know all to well, having a talent rich state doesn’t automatically translate into wins on the field. Coaching ability is what counts most, or top recruiters like Zook and Donnan would still be in the sec.
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No mention of the unproven “upgrade” at OC? I’m not sold on Frontbutt’s ability to beat a D1 defensive coordinator with his “decided schematic advantage”*, much less SEC defensive coordinator/talent combo.
*or whatever he called it before he failed miserably at Notre Dame.
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Nobody’s willing to say it, but I will. The New England Patriots needed last-minute field goal drives to win each Super Bowl ring that Charlie Weiss slips onto his sausage-sized fingers. Did he do a great job developing Tom Brady and was their offense powerful? Yes, and yes. If the refs don’t make the “tuck rule” call, does the dynasty ever start in the first place? Nope. He’s a good coach, but we saw in South Bend what happens when he doesn’t have an elite quarterback at the helm, to say nothing of the lack of Bill Belicheck holding his leash and keeping other teams from scoring on his fat ass. Florida’s going to score points. They will not have a “decided schematic advantage” on anyone that plays in any conference more intimidating than the Sun Belt. Bear in mind that Charlie’s best achievements in college to date were losing a close one to Southern California and winning the Hawaii Bowl.
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“The puck was on the team’s stick”?
“Call the Florida game the equivalent of the jump shooter who needs to come up with a deep three to get the confidence going”?
Weak. Stick to football analogies.
My two cents: he totally omits the rash of injuries last year (including Rainey’s brain cramp). And most Gator fans I know are expecting 3-4 losses this year, not an SEC East title. Next year, however, is a different story.
This is your year, Georgia. Don’t blow it like you did in ’07 as it may be a while before it comes around again.
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Thanks for the vote of confidence and your good wishes ConnGator.
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The first year under a new head coach is usually problematic. Especially if that new head coach has never been a HC before, and doubly especially if the new head coach is installing a brand new offense
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Hey… Pass the Kool-Aid
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All they got is Gatorade!
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JB Sucks balls and this will be another URB hangover year for us. 8-5 will be a good year for sure with that douche throwing the ball. this years excuse, a poor OL.
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