So this is what went down vs. Michigan in last year's Citrus Bowl and it is the reason I'm not going to see the Outback Bowl in person....Jim McElwain speaking about the Outback: "I was really disappointed, obviously, in the effort last year, but this is a different team. We've got some guys that are in it for a lot more than just themselves.” McElwain says he's confident the Gators will not come out flat against an Iowa team that is riding a three-game winning streak, including a win over Michigan. “That (loss to Michigan last year) speaks volumes about each person's character who was involved in that event,” he said. “I can speak personally. I was embarrassed. And yet, you know what, it happens in a lot of programs" Well..... I have to see it to believe it. This year's team is full of NFL bound players also so I can see them mailing it in in the second half once the offense sputters just like last year's Gator team did. That still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
Sort of threw down the gauntlet to the team didn't he. Iowa isn't that good of a team, UF defense should be able to shut them down ...now can the offense score a few TD"s?
That comment caught my eye. Actually, Iowa is a pretty good team with an equally solid defense. Ask Michigan. They are almost a mirror image of Florida on offense, except for a big outburst in their final game vs. Nebraska, 40-10. It should be a competitive game.
If Iowa is good enough to defeat Michigan they are more than good enough to beat this Gator team that has no appreciable skills at Qb and who has players as McElwain refers to in his statements that might just be prone to saying "who cares?... the NFL beckons"
I won't disagree with Sid, they are a good team, just not a great team. I don't think they are as good as the Michigan team that beat you guys last year in the bowl. Bowls are always a little bit of a crap shoot, there are times that teams show up on a mission and play extremely well and then there are times that teams just show up and don't play well but enjoy the goodie bag they get from the Bowl and respite from the cold weather.
Last year's Florida team had a serious case of NFL itis in the Citrus Bowl and this is the first time I have seen any direct comments to that effect from MCElwain.... "only in it for themselves "... etc. I would have a team meeting in the week before the game and ask who was ready to play this bowl game for the University of Florida? If you have doubts..... then by all means have a safe cozy seat on the bench and let some younger hungrier players get out there.
Kp.... I left the Michigan game with 10 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter....because it was apparent that the team effort especially on defense was severely lacking. Just like McElwain..... I was embarrassed. This year I see the distinct possibility of a repeat performance.... NFL first rounders on defense playing hard until the offense goes nowhere punctuated by zero contribution at the Qb position and then the defense throws in the towel. The past two games vs. FSU and Bama look very similar to last year's games vs. FSU and Bama. It's a bad pattern.
Your just like the weather in Florida on most days. I watched both the OSU and Iowa games to completion this year, and that was in front of the TV, so nothing to lose by walking away. But real fans Dave, suffer the bad. They have street signs named after you Dave. :wink:
Hey AJ if you had to deal with the Holiday/football game traffic from hell on I-4 in Orlando you would have left too....... :wink:
Kp, I never questioned that the effort wouldn't be there for the LSU game. I was just very uncertain that the Gators could prevail with that poor offense on the road in Baton Rouge. I do question the effort in Orlando last year as does McElwain and I am concerned about a similar scenario this year vs. another Big Ten team in a bowl game that obviously doesn't mean enough to this curent crop of NFL dreaming players. On my assessment of my team.... I said UF would lose by 38 points to Bama... 41-3. They lost by 38 points..... 54-16 Pretty accurate assessment.
Been back and forth about the outcome of this game but it's clearing up for me. A hard fought 3 point Gator deficit turns uglier beginning late in the 3rd quarter when the putrid Gator offense fails to convert points on their 3rd red zone opportunity in the game off TOs garnered by the defense and then the frustrated defense caves in led by their quitting NFL bound players. Iowa 35 - Florida 17 Glad I'm staying home.
Yeah I'm probably too high with UF scoring 17 points. But it will be easy for Iowa to score their last two or three TDs once the defense decides to sit this one out at the end. If McElwain is any kind of coach he will be very watchful for quitters and sit them down. Our young talent on defense actually is pretty damned good and they have had a lot of experience because of all the injuries so they should remain hungry and playing harder than the NFLers. UF is still wide open at Qb for next season. Del Rio is back, Felipe FRanks supposedly is better and will be a RS Freshman so he may be a factor as well plus you never know what Oregon St or Purdue retread QB is lurking out there just itching to show he is not SEC material. :wink: 8)
30-3 Of course in retrospect I wish I would have had more faith and gone to the game across town at the Ray Jay yesterday. The team talked for the last month how things would be different this year than last year when they all showed up to play Michigan with no fire and no heart. Iowa wasn't Michigan by any stretch but they did manage to beat the Wolverines this year so yesterday's dominant performance was pretty satisfying to watch for a Gator fan. So now I can get a little more enthused about next season ( that's what bowl wins can do for you ) and if UF can establish a Qb next year they have a chance to be pretty good. Only problem is that first game in September is against an old nemesis in Dallas..... Michigan!
I was really shocked at that Outback Bowl Score, not that UF won or held Iowa to 3 points, but that UF offense put up 30! My Dec 7th comment.
Since Iowa had very good defensive stats coming in to the game I would say the UF offense did pretty well.... scoring 23 ( the defense had a pick 6 ). So it was a very good win over a scrappy team.