Last? Least? Who's countin', at this point? Depends on what we're talkin' bout, anyway..."Last" game on schedule. "Last" game for Muschamp as Gator Head Coach. NOT "last" game of year--In extending our practice privileges, this is "good news" ONLY 'cause of all the things we gain on and off the field with another month now, of all times.
So. The game itself:
Quite simply, our chance at salvation--at least as close to it as we're gonna get, for now. No, not for the past, all that's happened since Championship Week 2009. Not for the future...too many questions, too many decisions we better get right, too much work ahead to fool ourselves there. THAT'S the only road to the only thing that can make it right, the road that leads to a new, long day of Gator glory.
But with a win, maybe we can do more than just end this one well. Maybe one day we'll be able to look back on this one in just the opposite way we now remember the '09 SEC Championship Game. That one was a warning of what was to come. Can this one be a promise as to what will eventually BE?
Long odds. Can't count on it. Won't be a whole "shocking disappointment" if it's not, no way. By most of what we've seen this season, we can all be excused for expecting the worst. Why it's come to this. In fact, the "smart thing" is to resign ourselves, get ready for the slow start, then maybe the "stumbling, bumbling fumbling Gators" to lay a game-long egg, or the "valiant, came-to-play-on-defense/spirit-of-Addazio-offense" keeps it close for the Big Let Down at the end. Settle for "nice try", heads-held-high, classy exit, "moral victory"?
Well, I HATE "moral victories". In fact, personally, I don't believe in 'em. Some are figuring that's the BEST we can hope for. Can't blame 'em. But what if we could rise to the occasion, the defense play its brilliant best, the offense inspired by a scheme and plan that for once ISN'T another "shorten-the-game/try not to lose big" mess, just this once, what-the-hell? What if we could break their hearts, at THEIR place? WHAT IF WE COULD WIN???!!!
Either way, I ask only this, going in:
Lay it ALL on the line, boys. Way I see it, at this point little to lose and SO much to gain--not just for me, for those of us who live and breathe Gator football, not for the soon-to-be-former coaches or even the seniors who deserve more than they were given a chance to achieve while here, but for the players who will stay, who will be the core of the TEAM-to-be.
Rather see us go down in flames fighting wildly, than slow, steady and "respectably close"--and where another loss wouldn't really change a whole lot, that kind of WIN would wash a whole lotta SH*T away.
So. The game itself:
Quite simply, our chance at salvation--at least as close to it as we're gonna get, for now. No, not for the past, all that's happened since Championship Week 2009. Not for the future...too many questions, too many decisions we better get right, too much work ahead to fool ourselves there. THAT'S the only road to the only thing that can make it right, the road that leads to a new, long day of Gator glory.
But with a win, maybe we can do more than just end this one well. Maybe one day we'll be able to look back on this one in just the opposite way we now remember the '09 SEC Championship Game. That one was a warning of what was to come. Can this one be a promise as to what will eventually BE?
Long odds. Can't count on it. Won't be a whole "shocking disappointment" if it's not, no way. By most of what we've seen this season, we can all be excused for expecting the worst. Why it's come to this. In fact, the "smart thing" is to resign ourselves, get ready for the slow start, then maybe the "stumbling, bumbling fumbling Gators" to lay a game-long egg, or the "valiant, came-to-play-on-defense/spirit-of-Addazio-offense" keeps it close for the Big Let Down at the end. Settle for "nice try", heads-held-high, classy exit, "moral victory"?
Well, I HATE "moral victories". In fact, personally, I don't believe in 'em. Some are figuring that's the BEST we can hope for. Can't blame 'em. But what if we could rise to the occasion, the defense play its brilliant best, the offense inspired by a scheme and plan that for once ISN'T another "shorten-the-game/try not to lose big" mess, just this once, what-the-hell? What if we could break their hearts, at THEIR place? WHAT IF WE COULD WIN???!!!
Either way, I ask only this, going in:
Lay it ALL on the line, boys. Way I see it, at this point little to lose and SO much to gain--not just for me, for those of us who live and breathe Gator football, not for the soon-to-be-former coaches or even the seniors who deserve more than they were given a chance to achieve while here, but for the players who will stay, who will be the core of the TEAM-to-be.
Rather see us go down in flames fighting wildly, than slow, steady and "respectably close"--and where another loss wouldn't really change a whole lot, that kind of WIN would wash a whole lotta SH*T away.
