If so, why would the Gators (3-2, 1-2), down to No. 20 in the standings and already with a loss in the Southeastern Conference East Division, even bother to play out the rest of the schedule, starting with Saturday's noon homecoming date against woebegone Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-1) at Spurrier/Florida Field.
[Read senior writer Scott Carter's "Opening Kickoff" game setup here]
But players, good thing, don't think like fans, anymore than coaches do. That's why in the wake of all the negativity that followed UF's 20-13 loss at Kentucky last weekend there were social media appearances from some marquee Gators that quelled the doom's-day chatter.
You win some, you lose some. But you live, you live to fight another day. 🧡 pic.twitter.com/CjKXeePWfd
— Jacob Copeland (@JCope1era) October 4, 2021
In all kinds of weather…🤞🏾 stand on that ‼️‼️ #GatorNation
— Zachary L Carter (@Zachattacks_) October 3, 2021
— Antonio Valentino (@_groovy55) October 3, 2021
A foxhole mentality may be just what the team needs right now, as it looks to hit reset and begin focusing on bettering their predicament. That's what the Gators did in 2016 when they lost a September game at Tennessee and their division hopes looked bleak, at best. UT was thumping its chest a week later when it beat Georgia, then proceeded to lose three straight games and UF clinched the SEC East two months later at LSU.
And that was with Jim McElwain on the sidelines.
The 2021 situation, of course, is different. It's not a one-game hole that Florida has dug itself, but a two-gamer (counting tiebreaker) against currently unbeaten and 16th-ranked Kentucky, with Georgia ranked second in the country and looking like a runaway freight train.
But if you're looking for hope, here's some history.
In 1992, the Gators, led by two-time SEC Player of the Year senior quarterback Shane Matthews, opened their league slate with a home win over Kentucky and then got smashed in consecutive conference road games at Tennessee and Mississippi State. They were 1-2 in conference play and newspaper headlines (that's what we had back then) blasted proclamations such as "Gators Dead in SEC Water" and "Goodbye SEC! Goodbye Heisman! Goodbye Season!"
Florida won the next seven games, including an upset of Georgia, captured the first East Division crown in league history and played eventual national-champion Alabama to near-standoff in the inaugural SEC Championship Game before losing 28-21.
Not saying that's going to happen, just that stranger things have happened. That's why coaches and players don't buy into season's being over in the first weekend in October.
There's still plenty to play for.
Kickoff is set for noon on SEC Network, with Dave Neal on play-by-play, Matt Stinchcomb providing analysis and Taylor Davis working the sidelines. For radio and television broadcast info, click here. The game will be replayed Sunday at 4 a.m., Wednesday at 3 a.m. and Thursday at 9:30 p.m., all on the SEC Network.
Also, check out the "1st & 10 Pre-Game Show," hosted by Jeff Cardozo via the Florida Gators Facebook page, starting at 2:30. This week's lineup includes chats with Coach Dan Mullen, as well as defensive back Tre'Vez Johnson, tight end Kemore Gamble, Vandy radio's Andrew Allegretta, plus a "Mic'd Up" segment with Mohammad Diabate.
Finally, follow senior staff writer Scott Carter (@GatorsScott) for commentary and analysis throughout the game. FloridaGators.com will have complete coverage content from the game late Saturday night and fresh content Sunday, also.
"network" - Google News
October 09, 2021 at 07:40PM
https://ift.tt/3AvsUNI
Game Day: No. 20 Florida vs Vanderbilt (SEC Network), noon. - Florida Gators
"network" - Google News
https://ift.tt/2v9ojEM
https://ift.tt/2KVQLik
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "Game Day: No. 20 Florida vs Vanderbilt (SEC Network), noon. - Florida Gators"
Post a Comment