I know--I'm putting this one up early even for ME--but it IS an early start, damn near in the MORNING even there on the East Coast...and with things so strangely quiet for the most part here at GE the last 12-to-24 hours, I'll be bowing out now and may not be around early in the morning when presumably y'all start showing up to begin figuring this game.
I'm not one to call the score, as you know, so I'll just go with my usual subjective overview: This is when the 2012 Gators show what they're really made of. If they are "losers" like some have judged them they will continue to flounder, last week's dismal showing just the opening display of an ongoing collapse. If they are just a young team whose, flaws, uncertainties and inexperience suddenly merged, multiplied and WRECKED them like a perfect storm, then these coaches will be able to guide them through it and beyond, they'll come out back on their feet, a little shaky early perhaps but able to get back on track and make some things happen fairly quickly...That will feed on itself: they will soon take over the game and dominate it.
Now, I believe strongly that it would be best, for their own sake and that of the fans, if they were to open things up offensively through the air, throw the "Big Punch" early and throw this opponent back on its heels--get a lead fast and THEN start to wear them down at the point-of-attack on BOTH sides of the ball as these Gator lines are capable of doing, especially when relatively healthy and working against match-ups in which they hold the edge, as should be the case here. That having its risks, however, may NOT be the road chosen by the Head Coach--whom I respect, trust and admire immensely, btw, but that doesn't mean he is always right: While there may seem a safer road, sometimes "Fortune follows the brave"...and this team is in dire need of BOTH, bravery AND good fortune, right about now. I'm not saying they can't "get there" that other way, just that in the pain and confusion after a hard fall, there is sometimes opportunity in a sudden devil-take-the-hindmost mad rush back over and through to a new place of promise and confidence. With a season now teetering on the edge, between success no longer completely achievable on their own and more disappointment only they can save themselves from, this may well be one of those times.
I'm not one to call the score, as you know, so I'll just go with my usual subjective overview: This is when the 2012 Gators show what they're really made of. If they are "losers" like some have judged them they will continue to flounder, last week's dismal showing just the opening display of an ongoing collapse. If they are just a young team whose, flaws, uncertainties and inexperience suddenly merged, multiplied and WRECKED them like a perfect storm, then these coaches will be able to guide them through it and beyond, they'll come out back on their feet, a little shaky early perhaps but able to get back on track and make some things happen fairly quickly...That will feed on itself: they will soon take over the game and dominate it.
Now, I believe strongly that it would be best, for their own sake and that of the fans, if they were to open things up offensively through the air, throw the "Big Punch" early and throw this opponent back on its heels--get a lead fast and THEN start to wear them down at the point-of-attack on BOTH sides of the ball as these Gator lines are capable of doing, especially when relatively healthy and working against match-ups in which they hold the edge, as should be the case here. That having its risks, however, may NOT be the road chosen by the Head Coach--whom I respect, trust and admire immensely, btw, but that doesn't mean he is always right: While there may seem a safer road, sometimes "Fortune follows the brave"...and this team is in dire need of BOTH, bravery AND good fortune, right about now. I'm not saying they can't "get there" that other way, just that in the pain and confusion after a hard fall, there is sometimes opportunity in a sudden devil-take-the-hindmost mad rush back over and through to a new place of promise and confidence. With a season now teetering on the edge, between success no longer completely achievable on their own and more disappointment only they can save themselves from, this may well be one of those times.
