SNL has chronicled throughout the first 4 games of the Gators 2008 campaign the discontent of many Gator loyalists who, like most of the national media, expected an offense that would leave teams demoralized and humbled after playing Florida in 2008.
The decibel of the voices of Gator fans espousing their disapproval have varied somewhat, but have been largely tempered by the Gators (seemingly) lopsided wins against UM and UT.
As one might imagine, the discontent, fomented by the obvious inaduequacy of the offense, has morphed overnight into a full-blown rebellion against Gator offensive coordinator, Dan Mullen after Saturday’s loss.
In fact, if SNL’s sensory perception faculties are accurate (which is debatable due to a very strong pre-game cocktail or 2), the exact moment that the largely diffuse rumblings regarding Mullen’s ability to coordinate this offense coalesced into a full-blown insurrection occurred sometime in the 3rd quarter of Saturday’s loss.
The manifestations of this are difficult, if not impossible to quantify. But suffice it to say that the Meyer regime has built considerable credit based on the improbable 2006 title run. Meyer’s ability to lead this team remains unquestioned, and deservedly so. However, the rumblings from the Gator faithful, which are currently directed at Mullen and his beleaguered offense, evidence the beginnings of an erosion of faith which, if not stemmed by some impressive showings in the weeks to come, will become increasingly difficult to ignore. In short, Gator fans do not take kindly to losing at The Swamp as a 23-point favorite. And, Gator fans will be forced at some point to acknowledge that Meyer is 6-4 in his last 10 SEC contests, hardly an intimidating statistic for a Coach so wildly heralded only a few short years ago.
To be sure, there are some positive signs after 4 games-the defense forced Ole Miss into a “3 and out” on 9 of 13 Ole Miss possessions, and the offense moved the ball at will in the 4th quarter. However, the small picture for Florida right now includes an inability to consistently protect Tebow, and an even more alarming inability to throw the ball downfield against defenses that are clearly aligned to stop Tebow (and the run)and want to see Florida beat them with the pass to a wide recevier who isn’t named Harvin.
To make matters worse, questions regarding Tebow’s ability to pass have resurfaced given the number of missed passes and the Defense, while improved, remains susceptible to the long ball (or run) and lacks the disruptive force at tackle necessary to ascend from the “good” to the “dominant” category.
The sum of all of this may well be that the expectations of this Gator team, which seemd reasonable on paper, were at the end of the day, unreasonable. After 1/3 of the season, this remains a team with some serious warts, which may or may not be correctible. Best case scenario is that this team, which has heart and some talent, finds it way to a 10-2 record and SEC East title where it will face an imposing Alabama or rematch LSU.
The worst case scenario, unfathomable only a week ago, is that this team manages to lose to both LSU and Georgia, and finds a way to slip up at FSU or against UK/Vandy, which yields the familiar and uninspiring trip to Orlando to play Wisconsin or Illinois. The one certainty is that between Meyer and Tebow, there is considerable determination and heart on the side of the Gators, and if there’s a way to will this team to 11-1, these two will find it. However, should they fail for whatever reason, the chorus of doubters will find a life of its own and, much like contemporary life in Tally, Knoxville, Clemson, and South Carolina, yield a distracted team and a disprited fan base.
Either way, get ready for a bumpy ride, because this trek will be anything but easy.
-So Sayeth the Shepherd
