This past weekend was Rivalry weekend, where more than just possible conference glory remained on the line- bragging rights. And, some fights broke out, both on the field an on social media- between fans of the same team !
The Florida Gators did not do well this weekend, but we were down four starters going into the game- on defense alone, with two or three others going down. Our QB was a backup grad transfer who looked like a freshman. People were calling for head of Coach Jim McElwain who is in his second year, and won the SEC east both years in a rebuilding project inherited from Will Muschamp.
Another target of blame was OC Doug Nussmeier, who had some quite interesting calls. Criticize any of the above, any you are a bandwagoner. In my opinion, the blame goes to the OC, but more so on QB Austin Appleby. Now, unlike some schools, the Gators have a game next week.
We play the Alabama Crimson Tide next week in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. The Tide are undefeated, and have one of the best teams that I can recall. The odds are not in favor for the Gators next week, and many fans say that we have a chance. Yes, but the chances of the Second coming are probably slightly better. The only advantage we may have is that many fan bases are rooting for us against the Tide.
Fans need to recognize that emotions are running high, and try not to call one another bandwagoners. We are allowed to doubt coaches and players, and that is fine, but realize that sending a true freshman out to play Alabama as a growing experience would very likely ruin the guy’s confidence. Put Appleby in there, as his career is almost done, and he is the most experienced QB we have though it came while as a Purdue Boilermaker. Rome was not built in a day, and neither is a football program. McElwain needs time, but the jury is still out on Nussmeier.
Fans not having faith in this game are not bandwagoners, they can see the writing on the wall, and many myself, would be elated if our predictions were wrong.
If you want to see textbook bandwagon fans, look at the majority of ones pulling for the team on the other sideline.
