SI Preseason Poll

[GenNeyland9]

Link to all of SI's scouting reports

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/...port/index.html

 

[milohimself]

Although I still believe we will win this game, I think there are some things to be said there, OldVol.

Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 9, 2005 1:28 PM
Your premise seems to be based on a belief that you will beat Tennessee.

I find that unlikely for the following reasons:

1. You couldn't last year with a more experienced QB while we played freshmen.

The difference there is freshmen, not freshman. I think the fact that we set up our offense so we could successfully play two talented QB's with two very different styles virtually alleviates the fact that they were freshmen.

2. Your passing attack couldn't put the game away against a very suspect UT secondary. You won't have that luxury this year.

Good point, but you also have to take into consideration, what if Urban Meyer's offense does adapt well to the SEC? I know people here hate Chris Leak, but if he were put in the right system, I could easily see him able to burn the best secondaries in the country. And Florida's WR's are still good.

3. Meyer's offense is obviously designed to put up big numbers agains weak defenses. There are only one or two really weak defenses in the SEC. UT arguably could have the best overall, and without argument, will have the best front 7 in the SEC, possibly the nation.

Really? I can name at least four weak defenses in the SEC. I also believe there is a chance that LSU's overall defense might be, and is probably as good as ours. Anyhow, none of us have seen Meyer's offense in action yet, so I think judgement is best reserved until we have something to see from it.

4. The UT offense was stacked to the run last year to afford growth for the new QBs. This year, an experience QB will be behind center and the running game will be even more deadly, barring injury.

Probably. But we will need to see how the offensive line situation sorts itself out. If it doesn't, I fear we could be in for a long season. Georgia and LSU both have defensive lines that almost rival ours.

5. Even at his best, Leak is not an option QB. And he's always a little tight when playing us, for some reason.

Meyer's basic plan, from what I understand, is a combination of option and spread offense. Although I have reason to suspect we will see a lot of ace formations from him this season. Given his success in the first year at both programs he came into, he will probably make the adjustments necesarry to win instead of trying to force the same system upon the gators.

Good post OldVol, I just thought there were some other points that needed to be made.

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by milohimself@Aug 9, 2005 3:43 PM
Although I still believe we will win this game, I think there are some things to be said there, OldVol.

The difference there is freshmen, not freshman. I think the fact that we set up our offense so we could successfully play two talented QB's with two very different styles virtually alleviates the fact that they were freshmen.
Good point, but you also have to take into consideration, what if Urban Meyer's offense does adapt well to the SEC? I know people here hate Chris Leak, but if he were put in the right system, I could easily see him able to burn the best secondaries in the country. And Florida's WR's are still good.
Really? I can name at least four weak defenses in the SEC. I also believe there is a chance that LSU's overall defense might be, and is probably as good as ours. Anyhow, none of us have seen Meyer's offense in action yet, so I think judgement is best reserved until we have something to see from it.
Probably. But we will need to see how the offensive line situation sorts itself out. If it doesn't, I fear we could be in for a long season. Georgia and LSU both have defensive lines that almost rival ours.
Meyer's basic plan, from what I understand, is a combination of option and spread offense. Although I have reason to suspect we will see a lot of ace formations from him this season. Given his success in the first year at both programs he came into, he will probably make the adjustments necesarry to win instead of trying to force the same system upon the gators.

Good post OldVol, I just thought there were some other points that needed to be made.

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I'll only respond to one point; that being our freshmen QBs. The reason the QBs were successful is that they were both very good, even outstanding athletes. Also, Shaeffer, even though he started, was really not a factor in the Florida game. Ainge got almost all of the playing time, all of the second half, so the varying styles did not really come into play against Florida.

The varying styles were probably the very key to victory against SC, but the Florida game was won by the exceptional play of Ainge. He kept us in it and played like a senior in the final drive to get us in field goal range.

He'll be back for more this year.

I said one point, but you know me; when I said weak defenses, I was talking about MAC weak, not SEC weak. What I meant was; there's probably only 2 defenses in the SEC that compare to the average defense he saw in the mid-majors. Even Arkansas or SC would not be on the level of the average mid-major.

 

[OrangeFrenzy]

In OldVol's defense, even CPF has made several remarks pertaining to the vast differences the new, mid-market coaches will be dealing with in the SEC. And we KNOW he isn't a SOS that runs off at the mouth just to be cocky.

As to the two freshmens being better than one point, I really can't understand that comment. 2 freshmen give double the chance for mistakes. True enough it may keep defenses off guard, but we lost 3 games last year with first/second string freshmen, a 3rd string "clipboard carrier", and a young/banged up defense. We have experience and depth to overcome that. You actually think that FL will better overcome a 5 loss team by losing more starters and gaining a 4 year head coach?

Milo, I'll take our chances, thanks.

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by OrangeFrenzy@Aug 9, 2005 4:37 PM
In OldVol's defense, even CPF has made several remarks pertaining to the vast differences the new, mid-market coaches will be dealing with in the SEC.  And we KNOW he isn't a SOS that runs off at the mouth just to be cocky.

As to the two freshmens being better than one point, I really can't understand that comment. 2 freshmen give double the chance for mistakes.  True enough it may keep defenses off guard, but we lost 3 games last year with first/second string freshmen, a 3rd string "clipboard carrier", and a young/banged up defense.  We have experience and depth to overcome that.  You actually think that FL will better overcome a 5 loss team by losing more starters and gaining a 4 year head coach?

Milo, I'll take our chances, thanks.

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The 2 QB scheme worked nicely against SC, but it was, after all, SC.

I'll take Ainge playing like he did in the last half against Florida, thank you very much.

There were times there that I thought they'd slipped a jersey on Peyton and eased him in the game.

I really like our chances to win this Florida game by a lot of points.

I agree with Coach Fulmer; there's a huge eye opener waiting in the SEC.

 

[milohimself]

Given Zook's second half mishaps last season, I'm not ready to credit Ainge fully with that second half. There was also the issue of the missed call, but I will say that Ainge took full advantage of the situation and put Wilhoit in position to get the win. Which is impressive.

I still remember last season quite well, I'm sure all of you should as well. We weren't even sure who would start each game until we saw who was under center first. The opposing teams didn't know that info any better than we did. It had to be a beast to prepare for, because both QB's represented so very different styles of play. I think our coach's wonderful intentiveness last season helped Schaeffer, and Ainge to a larger degree, look like super-freshmen.

That's my point on what the 2-QB system did.

 

[GatorVille]

What do you guys really know about Florida?

They return tons of talent with a much better coach.

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by GatorVille@Aug 9, 2005 5:20 PM
What do you guys really know about Florida?

They return tons of talent with a much better coach.

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We know we've beaten them 2 in a row, 3 of the last 4, 2 in a row in Gainesville.

How's that for knowledge.

 

[OrangeFrenzy]

Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 9, 2005 6:26 PM
We know we've beaten them 2 in a row, 3 of the last 4, 2 in a row in Gainesville.

How's that for knowledge.

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And we figure UM knows a pretty bit about FL football.

"We have a long way to go and a short time to get there."

Are the Atlanta tickets on sale yet, or will you have to camp out in line, GVille?

 

[milohimself]

Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 9, 2005 3:26 PM
We know we've beaten them 2 in a row, 3 of the last 4, 2 in a row in Gainesville.

How's that for knowledge.

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Most of that's against Zook's Gators, OldVol. I doubt you'll say that Meyer is anywhere near as bad as Zook.

 

[rwemyss]

Zook got plenty of love when he got that job. You were in Oregon and probably have no idea how the Gator faithful were talking about Zook... Would you like to fill milo in Gville? Or do you think my allusion to it is enough?

They talked about his as if he was the 2nd coming of the Visor, Visor V.2. Now UM is the 2nd comming of Christ, so I guess he just has further to fall.

 

[GatorVille]

Hmm...Do you honestly think UF fans thought Zook was the 2nd coming of SOS? Theres a reason fireronzook.com got started, about 2 hrs after he was hired. Very uninformed comment. UF fans wanted nothing to do with Zook, he was on the hot seat before he steped on campus.

 

[GAVol]

From the outside looking in, it seemed like a strange hire. I always thought they panicked a little when Stoops and the NFL guy (Shanahan?) turned them down.

I never figured out why they thought a guy who Spurrier had demoted would be a good fit for them.

 

[Z06Vol]

Meyer a better coach than Zook? Maybe, but it's yet to be seen what Meyer can do in the SEC. I honestly don't think his spread/option offense will work due to the speed of top SEC teams. I just can't believe the hype on Meyer, he's only coached for four years and now he's going to take an OK team to the NC game in his first year? Get real Florida fans.

It reminds me of another coach that everyone thought had enormous potential at a higher level. His run and gun didn't work so well for the Redskins, did it?

 

[rwemyss]

Originally posted by GatorVille@Aug 10, 2005 12:34 AM
Hmm...Do you honestly think UF fans thought Zook was the 2nd coming of SOS?  Theres a reason fireronzook.com got started, about 2 hrs after he was hired.  Very uninformed comment.  UF fans wanted nothing to do with Zook, he was on the hot seat before he steped on campus.

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Sorry I don't fraternize with any "true" gators or anything, but the impression I got at the time was that "everything will be just fine, Zook is going to be a really good coach." About the fireronzook.com... ... anyone heard of firecoachfulmer.com ??? Just because it exists doesn't mean a damn thing.

I also like that you didn't dispute that Gators think Meyer is the Second Comming. :nener:

 

[TBALLVOL]

We should get some early indication of how Urb's new offense will do against SEC defenses by the practice reports coming in about thier own defense. if the defense is continously being touted as really good or ahead of the offense, that may be an indicator that thier offense may be having some problems. I haven't checked to see where Fl's defense is projected to be this year but I don't believe they are near the best in the SEC, also practicing against a Meyer offense does not appear like it would be much of a help against other SEC opponents since no one else will be running that type of offense.

 

[kiddiedoc]

I distinctly remember some positive attitude about Zook upon his hire. No team with the recent history of Florida would take somebody they knew would fail. That's the kicker: you can't predict success by past accomplishments, especially if those accomplishments were outside of the level of competition you now face.

Sure there are doubters, as rwemyss pointed out, everywhere. But, Zook wasn't burned at the stake until posting a couple of 5 loss seasons. And remember, Meyer hasn't won an SEC game yet -- he puts up numbers like Zook and he'll be headed North, as well.

 

[KYVolFan]

Originally posted by vols2345@Aug 9, 2005 2:45 PM
Yeah I really feel that the sec east is a toss up like it always is.  But it looks like its back to old with tennessee and florida at the top.  don't count out Georgia,  cause they can sneak in and take the east as well.  But why the hell dont tennessee and florida move there game back later in the year?  when they did it in 2001 it was a hell of a game.  Idk but playing this early in the year just deystroys the others teams chances of going to the NC game.

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The SEC East is the home of College Football. This is where the game is played liked it was intended. Other conferences are wanna-bees. USC , So. Cal. of course, would have a miserable time of it if they had to survive the season against the consistent competitors like, Tennessee, Florida and Georgia followed by our USC, So. Car., and then to go to the SEC West and play, Auburn, LSU, Alabama or Arkansas every year. There is no way any school outside the SEC can survive that grueling competition year-in and year-out.

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by milohimself@Aug 9, 2005 6:13 PM
Most of that's against Zook's Gators, OldVol. I doubt you'll say that Meyer is anywhere near as bad as Zook.

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How can you say Meyer is any better.

Meyer has never faced real competition.

His schedule last year only had a couple of teams that even broke even.

This infatuation with Meyer is just ridiculous. Let the guy play a season or two in the SEC and then we'll see if he's worth a crap. Besides, if you use the same logic you're employing for USC, then Meyer's presence won't mean much until 06. Right?

 

[surrealvol]

I really do not think Meyer will have the success at Florida he had at two less-than-top-notch programs.

However, he will have better athletes, and he will have a bigger-money program...it will certainly be interesting to watch.

I, for one, hope he never ever beats the Vols, but I doubt that will happen over the long haul if he makes it and stays.

What I do hope is that he keeps the program up there at or near the top so we won't have to miss out on the competition with the gators and the fun we get from kicking their hinderparts!!!!!!!

 

[OldVol]

Originally posted by surrealvol@Aug 10, 2005 12:21 PM
I really do not think Meyer will have the success at Florida he had at two less-than-top-notch programs.

However, he will have better athletes, and he will have a bigger-money program...it will certainly be interesting to watch.

I, for one, hope he never ever beats the Vols, but I doubt that will happen over the long haul if he makes it and stays.

What I do hope is that he keeps the program up there at or near the top so we won't have to miss out on the competition with the gators and the fun we get from kicking their hinderparts!!!!!!!

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How many losses does he get to the Vols, 1, 2, 3 at the most before they call for his head.

Even if Florida bought fireurbanmyer.com, there's always .org, and any variation of firemeyer, or firetheurbanmyth, or .. well, you get the point.

Florida may not have the patience to give a coach the time he needs to get it back to the next level. After all, Zook just now got the talent level up. If anything, he got screwed because he didn't have the talent when he took over that he left Meyre with, and everyone knows it. So, I believe Meyer's learning curve is going to be measured with an egg timer instead of a calendar. If he doesn't produce in the first 2 seasons the only reason could be his coaching ability because the talent is there.

 

[milohimself]

Originally posted by OldVol@Aug 10, 2005 7:21 AM
How can you say Meyer is any better.

Meyer has never faced real competition.

His schedule last year only had a couple of teams that even broke even.

This infatuation with Meyer is just ridiculous. Let the guy play a season or two in the SEC and then we'll see if he's worth a crap. Besides, if you use the same logic you're employing for USC, then Meyer's presence won't mean much until 06. Right?

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There's a bit of difference between losing a coordinator and losing an enitre coaching staff. Besides that, Leinart and crew still were largely coached by Norm Chow. Carroll will more than likely try to roll with it for now while searching for a system that will be as effective as Chow's. Urban, on the other hand, is faced with rebuilding a program. He's going in, changing the entire system of Florida football and trying to undo what Zook's done. Big difference between them and USC.

And besides, you'd have to have a completely inept coach to do worse than Zook did with the Gators. I'm really not putting too much weight on Meyer's COY awards, but I do think they mean enough that there's little chance he will suck as badly as Zook did.

 

[maryvillereb2003]

i think it is good to see us below the gators, that will probably give this tennessee team more of a reason to go down there and whoop up on them boys! :yahoo:

 

[U-T]

Meyer has the same amount of SEC Titles as Croom, Brooks, and Johnson.