Even SNL, certified curmudgeon, naysayer, pessimist, and believer that the “sky is falling” must concede that Florida is good, and getting better. As always, SNL remains reticent to join the legions of Gator devout who are today openly predicting a BCS Championship on the heels of a ‘Bama route in the ATL. That said SNL can’t be the only Blogger to refrain from commenting altogether, so here’s some thoughts:
Stafford, Knowshon, Green are all supremely talented, but the UGA team overall appears to lack leadership and, dare I say, “heart.” Naturally, heart is a nebulous term and is not meant to deride the 18 to 20-year old kids on UGA’s team. Perhaps its better to characterize UGA’s performance as another in a series that seems to indicate that UGA does not itself believe that it can beat Florida. Thus, when an idiotic penalty brings back an interception (though the penalty seemed to contribute to Florida’s lineman being pushed into the throwing lane), or an on side kick fails, UGA seems to deflate, as if on cue.
On the bright side, UGA’s lack of zeal highlights the unquestionable passion of our quixotic QB, whom even our enemies like. Seriously, Tebow is like the love-child of Superman and Ned Flanders-unbelievable.
Speaking of message boards…SNL has long maintained that the similarities between the fans, alums, cities, and cultures that surround SEC football far outweigh the differences. Seriously, an uninitiated (and color blind) fan would be hard pressed to know the difference between Gainesville, Athens, Birmingham, Knoxville, Charleston, Auburn or Baton Rouger on the weekend of a big game.
Which is why SNL is increasingly lured to the oppostions message boards following a particularly crushing defeat. Candid Gators will recall only weeks ago the calls for Mullen’s job, and scathing criticism of everything from the defensive line to our sacrosanct QB-all following a 1-point loss in a game which Florida dominated from a statistical standpoint.
In the weeks that followed, SNL has chronicled LSU’s eerily similar experience (times 2), and watched the Vol nation go into collective despair as Fulmer’s team continues to prove that it really is “that horrible.” This week, its UGA’s turn.
The Georgia faithful are calling for Bobo and to a lesser extent, Richt. They are questioning play-calling, lack of pass rush, lack of heart, Knowshon’s untimely “self-substitution,” Stafford’s penchant for interceptions, and the possible overhaul of the program. Lighten’ up, Francis.
Georgia optimists are attempting to spin UGA’s meltdown into a convergence of bad calls, lucky breaks, and a few have gone so far as to say that UGA would win against this year’s Gator team more often than not. SNL is willing to concede that there were several bad or missed calls, including Murph’s grabbing of the Georgia DB’s jersey during his 3rd quarter touchdown catch. That said Haden’s pick was clean and Florida would beat this UGA squad 10 of 10 times.
For those UGA loyalists who believe UGA’s outgaining Florida provides some evidence of equality, think again. Florida’s plan all along was to shut down Moreno, which they did. If they gave up some play action passes along the way, so be it. Florida’s coaches rightfully felt that shutting down the run would dramatically debilitate UGA and Stafford, who has proven time and time again that the game cannot be placed on his shoulders.
Also, Florida’s offense, while conservative early, could have dramatically increased its numbers if necessary. After an 80-yard drive in the first quarter, Gators’ touchdown “drives” covered 32, 1, 56, 10 and 25 yards, respectively. Add up Florida’s first six scoring possessions, and you get 204 yards for 42 points. Factor in the almost 200 yards in interception returns, and Florida’s “offense” puts up nearly 600 yards against UGA, a number that is much more reflective of the actual game.
Quickly…Brantley looks good…Haden is becoming a “Sunday” player….Fulmer is gone, at the hands of Spurrier no less…USC was 40-point favorite over a conference foe for the 3rd time this year…for all of the deserved hype surrounding the Big 12 South, the Big 12 North is horrible. In fact, the whole conference outside the 4 heavyweights is absolutely terrible…Auburn passed 43 times (and ran 25) against Ole Miss…
-So Sayeth the Shepherd
Preamble: A brief survey of the message boards, blogs, local and state fish-wraps, and national media outlets confirms that all fans present in Jax on Saturday are relatively certain they are going to win convincingly. 
