2013 Florida Gators = 2009 Alabama Crimson Tide?

[Escambia94]

Are this year's Gators repeating history from the 2009 Crimson Tide? [This writer] thinks so.

Both teams came off rebuilding years by having two strong seasons under new coaches. Both teams lost plenty of talent to the NFL. Both teams suffered humiliating losses in BCS bowls the previous seasons after being relegated to lower bowls. Both had similar schedules in terms of difficulty. Who knows? Maybe the 2013 Gators can surprise us just as the 2009 Tide surprised us in 2009?

 

[Leakfan12]

I hope so though Gators have their starting QB returning unlike that Bama who had a new starting QB.

 

[Escambia94]

I am trying not to be a spoiled Gator fan, but I am tired of the excuses as to why we have not had an offense since Little Timmy Tebow left. I understand that he was good, but come on! Alabama wins national championships with game manager QBs, but the Gators have depended on defense and special teams to bail them out since 2009. The offense has been ranked around #100 since his departure. I am not asking for much. I just want an offense ranked in the top 50, and to keep the defense in the top 10. If they are not going to win the SEC East, at least make the games look interesting to watch.

 

[Leakfan12]

Hopefully E-94, since that Driskell is returning, the offense should improve (I'm hoping). At least I hope they get to the top 70 or top 75 offense. The biggest concern is the receiver and depth in the O-Line.

 

[Escambia94]

I have made my opinions known on Jeff Driskel. He has run out of excuses. No wide receivers? Well, they have plenty now. No offensive line? Plenty of teams break the top 100 without an offensive line as good as ours. Inexperience at QB? JD won 10 games as a starter. Adapting to a new offense? This is now year 2 with the same offense and offensive coordinator. Distracted by hot girlfriend? Every QB in the SEC has a hot girlfriend? Under pressure to perform at a school with high expectations? That is the definition of the SEC. What is left for excuses?

On a related note, Jacoby Brissett was careful in his criticism of the offense. His frustration was that the Gators stuck with Driskel even when he was gun-shy about throwing the ball. JD was 16/29 for 175 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT in the Sugar Bowl. Everyone in the audience could see open receivers. He only averages 4.4 YPA. In limited action, Brissett averages over 7 YPA, which is on par with other second string QBs. I am not saying that JB would have been better than JD, but I am saying that JB is less fearful of the deep ball and would have been a nice change of pace for the Gators in the Sugar Bowl. Especially since JB was essentially benched in the Bowling Green Game after going deep. JD had a longer completion, but those yards were all YAC. JB's passes travel further through the air, but he struggles underneath. I have a feeling that JB lost the job because he was too brave with the deep ball, but it would have been useful in the Sugar Bowl--even if it were just for one series.

 

[Leakfan12]

Well Driskel's hot girlfriend is graduating (well she is a senior). Maybe she'll get a job and spent less time with him.

 

[Dale J. Rodriguez]

Escambia good points man. I agree with need an O, hell if they O can be #51 we got a chance.

 

[Escambia94]

Again, I am not asking for much. If we are not going to win the SEC East, at least make the games interesting. If we are going to keep playing cupcake teams, then we should be putting on an aerial display at the expense of the Toledo Rockets, not letting a team like Louisiana Lafayette come within one blocked punt of an upset. For crying out loud! With the former Boise offensive coordinator, we should be able to throw for more than 100 yards a frickin' game! Are you telling me the Boise receivers were better than these Gator receivers? Come on!

2013 might be a break point for me. I stopped my annual donation to the alumni foundation, because I just moved from Texas to California and it costs me twice as much to fly home for a game. I do not get entertainment out of watching the Gators on TV almost lose to Louisiana Lafayette. This **** has to stop.

 

[Dale J. Rodriguez]

Yea I am in the same boat.

 

[Escambia94]

I will always be a Gator fan, but if the University of Florida cannot field an entertaining product then there is no point in investing my Saturdays in a #100 offense and incessant criticism from sports pundits and announcers. I have to mute the television, because the announcers are not interested in the offense. Our most exciting player since the Tebow Era has been Caleb Sturgis!