Week 15: Gators vs. Themselves

[DRU2012]

Having beaten themselves repeatedly this season, and showing real "improvement" in the frequency, reliability and efficiency with which they did so, it is clear that this Gator team has been building towards the first week of its OFF-season all year, certainly in the 2nd half of the season. The whole nation has witnessed a team-wide and individual penchant for the "Big Self-Destruct": Lately it has seemed that one Gator taking out another, blocking or actually outright tackling a key member of his own squad at the crucial point in a play and/or game, has been one of those games' and this TEAM'S most notable features the last couple/few weeks--certainly the most public ones, incidents and trends that have in turn shaped the college football world's view of our program. A dubious means by which to stay "relevant"...

 

[FrozenGator]

Gators lose by 15. Bet on it.

 

[Escambia94]

The Gators had to forfeit the game against themselves due to injury.

 

[Escambia94]

Let us be fair here. Most of the unraveling occurred after injuries depleted the staring lineup. Refer back to my earlier thread based on observations from Pat Dooley, Robbie Andreu, and others. The summary is that injuries begat injuries which begat more problems in a big snowball effect. There were 25 players from the 85-man roster that missed significant playing time, 10 of them missing 10 games or more. Of the 60 that got significant playing time, I would estimate that 15 of them had no business as starters, but were thrust into the position. Even the boneheaded blocks could have been avoided if the coaches did not have to revamp the offensive line and receiving corps in Week 1, and again each week until the end of the season.

The only part of the game that gets no "pass" is special teams. They had no injuries, yet were horrendous all season.

 

[DRU2012]

I've got some things to say about all this, more "serious questions" than "serious answers", but will air them elsewhere--this started out as an "I'm trying to laugh, if darkly, here"-type-of-thing, obviously, but it does raise a lot of questions, where even "valid reasons" somehow are inadequate, ring hollow...Aw, hell with it:
"After fluke TD resulting from 3-booted fumbles on the same play in the final seconds moves the ball the last 30 yards into the end zone, Gators lose to themselves when 10th-string guard backs into path of kick-for-extra-point that WOULD have tied the game and sent it into overtime; Picture of ball doinking off player's ass is published on front of every sports-section, NCAA-following site and media-outlet in America by the following day."
Ladies and gentlemen, your Florida Gators--2013-edition.

 

[Leakfan12]

I bet it would be a boring game.