Keeping Gator expectations on the low down

That was then.

Former coach Dan Mullen didn’t get long before he was being grilled about the importance of the Georgia rivalry. After a 24-17 loss to the Bulldogs in his second season, and with recruiting trailing UGA’s substantially, Mullen was asked how far apart he felt the two programs were.

“Seven points,” he quipped, cutting his reply short.

This is now.

“I think we’re all well aware of the importance of that rivalry,” Napier said, not ducking away from a question about facing Georgia in Jacksonville. “These are the games that make college football special. I do think that we have tremendous respect for that rivalry and the importance of that rivalry.”

“It’s a special game and one that has implications on that side of the divisions and certainly presents a number of challenges,” Napier said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do to be game-ready for our team to be competitive in that setting. We’re going to embrace the work that comes with that, the challenges that come with that. We’re excited about the opportunity to compete in this league and certainly playing in that game is a part of that.”

“Of all the special games we play, the Cocktail Party is certainly one of them” isn’t exactly the rallying cry Gator Nation is jonesing for, but it does serve to keep the mockery down.

18 Comments

Filed under Gators, Gators..., Georgia Football

18 responses to “Keeping Gator expectations on the low down

  1. Ran A

    Say what you want about Napier – he’s not stupid. He knows he has a grace period and is taking the under-promise over deliver approach. Would actually prefer him being brash, than under-promising and over delivering approach. If he doesn’t get blown out; they’ll see that as progress.

    By the way, I used to say, “we have become them and they have become us”. To the point now, where they know the deal. They want to become us or at least by like us… 🙂

    Liked by 3 people

  2. moe pritchett

    Kind of what I expected from Billy on the WLOCP. Don’t forget that he grew up in Georgia and was exposed to UGA, fans and alumni on a regular basis. His sister is a UGA grad. He has a unique perspective on the game and knows the importance of it to Georgia. He graduated HS in 97’ and was front row to those beat downs OBC gave us and he heard and saw how much we hated Flarduh.
    No. I don’t think he’s a danger to us yet. But in a couple of years I believe he’ll elevate the gatas to another level than where they are now. He will have them to 9-3 or 10-2 by his second year….maybe third year. And I believe he will restore some class/character to the program…something they’ve never really had. But I do not think he can get them to a UGA or Bama level any time soon.

    Liked by 3 people

  3. I respect a coach that basically says let’s settle it on the field…smack talkers eventually get dusted

    Liked by 6 people

    • practicaldawg

      Which makes him a very unusual hire at UF, at least post-1990.

      Liked by 5 people

      • Spot on…I think I’m still suffering from a little Old Ballsack ptsd.

        Liked by 2 people

        • moe pritchett

          We all do.

          Liked by 3 people

        • RangerRuss

          Not me!
          Those demons were exorcised in 2015 and the old ball sack banished to the golf courses and his cheesy fuckn restaurant. There he can reminisce amongst his sycophants while grinding his molars to the gum knowing his career was bookended by asskickings from the Dawgs.
          Fuck that motherfucker.

          Liked by 15 people

          • Russ

            Your eloquence is exceeded only by your wisdom.

            Well said.

            Liked by 6 people

          • Down Island Way

            Thanks, was getting really tired of all that slobering BS, as long as UGA football sent the old ball sack where ever the fuck he is…FINE! “We’re excited about the opportunity to compete in this league”, dude hate to tell ya FU been in the sec for a couple of weeks now, WTF was that bit of BS, would have expected that line from one of the new comers (probably not tejas) in 2025 (or when ever), new regime going 8/9 wins and losing to UGA ain’t gonna ‘ cut it either with jortnation…GO DAWGS!

            Liked by 1 person

  4. Faltering Memory

    I don’t think in a Mullen vs. Smart faceoff, Mullen would be the winner in a “take his and beat yours, take yours and beat his.’ He just didn’t have it.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2021)

    Yeah, it’s the fake juice motivational stuff that he Napier has in common with Gee-Off, that is how we’ll make fun of him.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. theoriginalspike

    “..Coach speech…’ blah blah blah.. coach speech..blah blah blah.. “

    Liked by 1 person

  7. Russ

    Speaking of Danny Boy, I see he’s still having a hard time.

    Liked by 3 people