I was at the aTm game, and I was right there watching the scoop and score. It is interesting to see how other fan bases act compared to ours. I would argue that Aggies are much crazier than Gators. Before kick-off they were finding excuses to build up UAB as a dark horse that would crush the Aggies. By halftime they were thumping their chests. They are definitely a fun bunch, but nothing is better than being a Florida Gator. I cannot wait to get back to Gainesville!
Forgot you were THERE, man! As it was, I was sorta hoping UAB could keep up with them--mainly 'cause Jimbo is their Coach!
But I was prob drinking the media-coolaid you mention, no doubt all designed to hype their chances and hype the game...Kyle Field is always more fun when the locals are rolling--especially if/when you get swept up as part of "The 12th Man", even if it's 2nd-hand and just for the day. That's how it looks, anyway: the one time I was there for a game it was as a guest with the fam of an old friend--all season ticket holders...and it mostly convinced me that if/when WE next play them there, I'd spend the big bucks (and after the trainride, etc PLUS the price they get for tickets ordered by fans of the visiting team who wanna sit together--and in a low corner of a sun-baked endzone, to boot--it IS "the big bucks" for sure!) to sit in their Visitors' section ONLY if we were clearly "on the brink", gathering momentum and had a truly decent chance to beat them there: I sure as HELL didn't wanna be there to witness a Gator beatdown with that crowd'o'crazy rednecks happily rubbing it in our faces!
Yeah, they DO have fun, and there's an undercurrent of "guilty envy" I think among even their old Big 12 rivals' fans, however consciously repressed. I certainly pick up that vibe among Longhorn fans.
(Meanwhile, I am watching the replay of the Idaho game, and though EVERYTHING ELSE looked good, went our way, Franks' "woes on the deep throws" were definitely on display--AGAIN AND AGAIN!
Oh, it was redeemed each time by a subsequent score (often on the very next play, and often with them scoring on and with one of those passes that he CAN throw), so the fans there at least didn't have time to stew about it--but otherwise we MIGHT HAVE had the strange situation of Fillipe hearing some boos in the middle of an otherwise DISSECTION!
It might be unfair, even a bit ungrateful, but after all, these are by and large knowledgeable fans who have SEEN some of the best compete for and against us there, understand what is required for real success in the SEC--and just like you and me are SICK TO DEATH of seeing another unforced miss from another in a long line of "talented quartebacks with cannon arms who look great in highschool" AND in practice once they get here, but just cannot put it all together ingame. Thing is, in Franks' case that deep throw to where his receiver, one he can't see and "is SUPPOSED TO BE", and to hit him on the dead run, is by now practically the only throw he still can't make...He has seemed to have mastered all the rest, has finally begun to run the whole offense pretty efficiently with a strong, confident hand...BUT: It IS an IMPORTANT part of the Mullen playbook that he is missing--and even the rest has only lately begun to look reliable (tell me YOU don't hold your breath even now going into EVERY GAME, thinking "Which Fillipe Franks will show UP today???", in the back of your mind and heart-of-hearts)...
...Then here comes Emory Jones, and HE delivers a DIME long (DROPPED by another highly-ranked/recruited freshman, btw--one of several we saw for the first time on Saturday...As I noted then, ALL of them necessarily have the flaws, jitters and rough edges of stepping into and UP to the at first seemingly chaotic speed and violence of this, the highest level of college play... Idaho game was the best kinda situation for all of them to get their first taste of it.)
EMORY looks like he is already pretty far along in the process of where he must GET to, though. It's now on Fillipe's shoulders how long he can put off Jones' inevitable ascension, as I say.
