Really, do you need to read anything more from this post than this?
But not all is lost. Clemson – after all – didn’t start out recruiting all that well under Dabo Swinney. But slowly that program has built into one that can take on Alabama, not just on the field but on the recruiting trail as well.
So the question is, can Dan Mullen build the same way at Florida?
He’s in Florida, for Chrissakes! Top notch recruiting is supposed to come with the territory. That you’re even having to ask a question like that in the first place tells you how far off the beaten path things have gone in Gainesville.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that.
Get The Picture 
No doubt Dabo has done a fantastic job at Clemson. He’s also been a benefactor of the disaster Fisher allowed the F$U offensive line to become. Therefore, it’s Clemson and the 13 Dwarfs at this point.
Mullen isn’t going to get the same opportunity at FU. He has two recruiting juggernauts in Saban and Smart to deal with. Both are coming to Florida and taking blue chips out of state. Auburn and LSU aren’t going anywhere. Tennessee is trying the Saban blueprint with Orangeneck. If F$U gets itself together, the Florida job could be very difficult because their jort-wearing, Johnny-Come-Lately fan base who thinks college football started in 1990 is going to get very restless when Kirby applies another smack down in Jacksonville.
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Dabo has certainly done impressive work, but it is more than just FSU’s demise he has benefited from. Miami, Va Tech, and FSU have all tanked simultaneously; NC State has become the best challenger to Clemson, along with Syracuse. The ACC is the worst conference in CFB at this point; I don’t think it is even close. Not Clemson’s fault that everyone has crapped the bed, and it certainly doesn’t mean they aren’t playoff worthy because of it, but they clearly have had the easiest path to the Playoff of all those who have been invited.
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You make a good point Mac. Shouldn’t some of the top teams in the B1G and Pac 10 be getting invited instead of the ACC champion simply based on having played better opponents during the regular season than Clemson played. It’s easy to go undefeated when you play Clemson’s schedule. Too easy.
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Let’s not forget, ND also benefits from the ACC’s weakness. They played well last season, but I felt the ACC almost got two spots with them never having to face one another. Should be a play-in game like UGA/Bama had in Atlanta. Resulted in another non-competitive game for the semis.
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As I was mulling (no pun intended) over my thoughts to share here, I came to the same conclusions that eethomas, Mac and the Mayor express.
Dabo has benefited greatly from the collapse of conference competition. The same could be said (to a much lesser degree) about UGA’s rise against a weak SECE. But that is no longer the case, and Mullen will not have the benefit that Dabo currently has and Kirby has had. The SECE is up a good bit, yet the ACC remains ridiculously weak.
Mullens’ recruiting competition in FL is still down. FSU is a hot mess and UM has been in disarray too. This helps Dabo on the field, and it should help Mulls in the living rooms. If Mullens is to make hay recruiting FL while the Sun shines, he’d best get on with it.
Point is, as the Mayor said, the cupcake walk that Clemson has isn’t Dabo’s fault, but if he should lose even just one game it should disqualify Clemson for the playoffs. (BTW..I happen to like Dabo..he’s got a great story and seems to be a wonderful coach..it’s not his fault the ACC has faltered).
Another point..Mullens came late to the down period of the East. He’ll need to take advantage of the misfortunes of Miami and FSU on the recruiting trail or he’s doomed.
Last January, a fresh as a daisy Clemson team ran roughshod over a battle weary and beat up Bama squad. I think Clemson’s whole year of playing a practice schedule really did help them. They probably started preparing for ‘Bama right after the TA&M game.
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Your last 3 sentences are exactly my point, Ug. Clemmons was healthy and rested while Bama had to run the SEC West gauntlet then play Georgia in the SECCG. The committee needs to make ’em play some tougher OOC teams or else….Who am I kidding? The Tigers won the last 2 natties. The committee isn’t leaving them out unless they have 2 losses.
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*2 out of the last 3 natties.
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Agree Mac. And arguably the 2nd best HC in the conference is 64 year old Cutcliffe at Duke. Not what most would consider heavy competition.
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You can forget F$U coming back any time soon. They made a huge mistake hiring Taggert and until that situation gets remediated they’ll continue to slide into mediocrity.
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And I hope that takes a looooong time.
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I know that there are a thousand FBS schools in the State of Florida competing with UF for recruits, blah blah, blah, but UF is the flagship University in the largest and most talent rich state in the south, is the only SEC school in the state and is a very good academic institution and the best of the FBS in that talent rich state.
Yet pundits treat Mullen as if he was exceeding the potential rather than not reaching the potential.
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As a previous UGA student in the mid/late 90’s, I never thought I’d see the day where UF fans became UGA fans circa 1996 in terms of overall mentality and having a Napoleon complex. It’s a sight to behold, and CKS for them has quickly become our Spurrier back then – minus the trash talking and general obnoxiousness.
A few more wins over UF, and the headlines will quickly change to: “Is Jacksonville a disadvantage for UF?” And, “The Gators should move to a home-home series vs Georgia.”
Just watch – those headlines will indeed be coming sooner than later.
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Mullen is in trouble yet he keeps running his mouth. I hope we hang 60 on them this year. Give no quarter to them.
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Don’t forget Central Florida you know UCF claimed that National Championship
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Being old gives one the perspective of seeing things take shape over the long haul. We’ll see but I’m hoping the Gators return to their pre-Spurrier and pre-Meyer ways. Florida was an inferior program—at least inferior to Georgia—for much of its history. I’m hoping the Gators settle into a comfortable 8-4 or 9-3 mode fighting with Mizzou and UT for second place in the East for years to bone.
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*come. Damn autocorrect.
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It is truly mind boggling to me that Mullen can’t even blind squirrel a decent recruit just by virtue of being in the state of Florida, especially in an era when FSU and Miami are total dumpster fires. What exactly does Mullen do to alienate elite talent? Serious question.
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“What exactly does Mullen do to alienate elite talent?”
Be himself is a good answer.
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Along with a weak staff of recruiters, I agree with you 100%. I think the guy is a true dork/nerd, and the recruits pick up on it. He is getting the same level recruit he got at Miss State for the same reason: he gets the close proximity guys the top programs don’t aggressively pursue. He just isn’t a guy a top athlete wants to be around, or trust to lead something big. FU could have hired someone dynamic and been a bigger threat. I hate to repeat but this is a guy McDoofus wanted for us…says volumes about what Dancing Danny is really like, and who he appeals to.
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“What exactly does Mullen do to alienate elite talent?”
And I’d like you to meet our DC, Todd Grantham. If you think Italians speak with their hands, you ain’t gonna believe what we got in CTG.
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Dear ‘Turds,
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Sincerely,
Literally Everyone Not Wearing Jorts
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LMAO!
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It’s crazy how much Florida has changed when it comes to expectations.
Also interesting how everyone decided that there was no way to match Saban, so they all think they can just match what Dabo is doing.
Nevermind that what Dabo is doing likely cant be replicated by anyone anywhere. tbh what Dabo has done with pushing down churn in his program is pretty remarkable and we might never see another college football program like this again.
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The Clemson model has worked for exactly one team: Clemson. Good luck with that, Gators.
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If you put that Tech guy who doesn’t know how to spell “Jeff” down at Florida, he’d be recruiting circles around what Dan is doing. I don’t understand how Florida keeps hiring coaches who can’t recruit. The place doesn’t recruit itself anymore, fellas, but you’re in one of the most fertile recruiting grounds in the country if you’d just do the work.
Not that I’m complaining, mind you. It’s just something that continues to amaze me.
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Dabo has done a great job at Clemson and maybe after the FBI phone taps and Coach Smith explaining how Dabo has done such a great job, Coach Dabo’s ass might just get in a serious sling.
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oblig. #ftmf
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The best move Dabo has made was to go get Brent Venables after Clemson had 70 hung on them by West Virginia in the 2012 Orange Bowl. Clemson hasn’t had many Top 5 recruiting classes but Venables has coached them up.
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You have the flagship school in the state that produces the 3rd most talent in the nation. You play in the premier conference in the nation. You have the climate year round to attract out of state talent. You have excellent facilities. You have a history of success that is not so far in the past the recruits don’t remember it (although that window is closing fast). You have all that and then you spring Dan Mullen on the recruit and pooof. Like a fart in the wind, the prized recruit is gone. The next time they are seen is when they sign with Clemson or UGA. Reason number 52432 ( you know 52-43-2 in favor of UGA for all you challenged FU fans) to be glad I am not a gator.
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