Weekend Observations

A column on what I saw this week/weekend.

UF still going through growing pains

A year ago, The Gators went to Columbia, Missouri and were embarrassed in a 45-17 thrashing. This was immediately after the firing of Jim McElwain and the team essentially quit. Fast forward a year later and it was expected that the team would seek revenge on the evening of the 2018 UF Homecoming. However, it was eerily reminiscent of that bloodbath of a football game a year ago as the Tigers throttled the #11 Gators 38-17 in another embarrassing fashion. 

Missouri QB Drew Lock did whatever he wanted against the self-proclaimed “DBU” as he was 24-32 for 250 yards and 3 touchdowns in his first career win against a ranked team. Lock has been regarded as a potential Top-5 NFL draft pick in April and he displayed why in The Swamp on Saturday. Lock’s performance amplified the issues that have plagued UF’s defense all season. A lack of a pass rush, poor tackling, and dreadful coverage have been an unfamiliar issue in Gainesville that have hurt the Gators tremendously in all three of their losses. 

The offense was abysmal on Saturday as well. It was ugly enough for Dan Mullen to bench QB Feleipe Franks for the first time this season for backup Kyle Trask. Trask came in and provided a sudden spark that gave the Gators a small sliver of hope, that was crushed after a 12 play, 53 yard drive by the Tigers in the beginning of the 4th quarter to put the game out of reach. 

The game didn’t ruin the season by any means however. It was certainly a setback and a disappointing outing, but the program is still headed in the right direction. The team has already overachieved in terms of expectations and they still have a chance at a 10 win season if they win out. The next three games (vs. SC, vs. Idaho, @FSU) are all very winnable, and I would imagine the bowl game would be a potential win as well. Dan Mullen is in the midst of changing a culture that has been a decade of mediocrity and disappointment. There will be bumps in the road, but make no mistake: Dan Mullen is the right man for the job. 

Cancel the rest of the season and hand Bama the trophy

The Alabama Crimson Tide did what The Alabama Crimson Tide do this weekend. The proved everyone (myself included) wrong when presented a challenge. The narrative to this point in the season has been that Alabama “hasn’t played anybody good yet”, which wasn’t wrong, but it didn’t matter. The Tide traveled to Baton Rouge to play #3 LSU at Death Valley in a prime-time match-up. I’m not sure many people expected the Tigers to win, but I think most expected them to present ‘Bama with challenges and a tough game. 

The only sign of a challenge for Alabama was that QB Tua Tagovailoa had to actually play all four quarters for the first time this season, as Alabama blanked LSU, 29-0. 

‘Bama validates everything we all thought. They’re unquestionably the best team in the nation, and there’s not a close second. Hand them the trophy and let’s get on to 2019. 

UCF misses chance to impress in prime time match up vs Temple

The 2017 National Champion* UCF Knights have been reasonably doubted all season. Prior to Thursday night’s match-up with 5-3 Temple, the Knights had not played a team with a winning record to that point. However, the Knights had a chance to show everyone that they belonged in the same sentences with big time Power 5 schools. 

They were halfway impressive. 

The offense looked phenomenal, and I’m a believer that they can give almost any team in the country fits. QB Mackenzie Milton is an absolute gamer who finds ways to make plays. RB’s Adrian Killins and Greg McCrae will both be on NFL rosters one day and their skill guys on the outsides can make plays. They’ve looked very nice both this season and last season as well. 

However, the defense looks incredibly weak. Losing two NFL starters from last year in Mike Hughes and Shaquem Griffin will do that to a team. But this unit allowed Temple to score 40 points and gain a total of 670 total yards at home, a school record for the Owls. Dominant teams don’t let that happen against teams like Temple. 

UCF is a Top 10 team in my opinion. 21 wins in a row is incredibly hard to do, no matter who you’re playing. Eventually, you begin to take everyone’s best shot and it’s hard to endure that every week. Their offensive firepower is not a joke and they can keep up with most teams in the country. The biggest problem for this team and the root of the disrespect, however, is the defense and the inability to prove themselves when given an opportunity. The schedule

does toughen up slightly as they do have upcoming match ups with Cincinnati and USF. 

NCAA Top 10

1. Alabama

2. Clemson

3. Notre Dame

4. Georgia

5. Michigan

6. Oklahoma

7. LSU

8. West Virginia

9. Ohio State

10. UCF

NFL Top 5/Bottom 5

1. Chiefs

2. Saints

3. Rams

4. Pats

5. Panthers

28. 49ers

29. Cardinals

30. Giants

31. Jets

32. Raiders