Will Florida still have a mental edge over us next year?

#76
#76
Proud Army Wife said:
I think this season was nuts. For instance, we got blown out by USCjr, who got blown out by FL, who lost to Vandy, whom we blew out 56-0. TN didn’t beat FL comfortably. I don’t think they’re vastly inferior, atleast not talent-wise. I think the success of this TN team happened from the result of great coaching, team culture, maturity, and play-calling with Hooker leading the charge.

That said, I don’t think Napier is the answer for FL, and I don’t think they’ll have the mental edge over us next year. I also think we may take a step back next year (at QB) and I’m ok with that, but I’ll take Heupel any day over Sunbelt Billy!
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We might take a bit of a step back at QB, but should take a leap forward on defense. I'd be just fine winning games 31-14 most weeks instead of 52-49.
 
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#78
#78
That feeling that used to reside in the bottom of my stomach has completely disappeared. It's been replaced with a feeling of superiority. Bring them on. No fear. No retreat, no surrender. WGWTFA
 
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#79
#79
We didn't play as well in 3 of our 4 road games this year. Historically, Florida is a game we find ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. We need to jump on them early. Saying all that, we should absolutely win this game.

The road game that I think could be sneaky tough is Kentucky. They upgraded at QB and OC. That was a tough game in 2021 in Lexington.
 
#80
#80
I don’t think Florida has a “mental” edge over Missouri or Vandy right now……unless they are playing at the swamp maybe.

Then I’m not sure it’s a “Florida” mental edge just a normal home thing.
 
#81
#81
We have a better coach than Florida. Our players are just as good. We should win. Period. But it will definitely be difficult. I remember us beating them handily one time in the last 20 years, 24-10 in 2003. But it was really because the Hail Mary at the end of the half completely demoralized them.
 
#83
#83
Proud Army Wife said:
I think this season was nuts. For instance, we got blown out by USCjr, who got blown out by FL, who lost to Vandy, whom we blew out 56-0. TN didn’t beat FL comfortably. I don’t think they’re vastly inferior, atleast not talent-wise. I think the success of this TN team happened from the result of great coaching, team culture, maturity, and play-calling with Hooker leading the charge.

That said, I don’t think Napier is the answer for FL, and I don’t think they’ll have the mental edge over us next year. I also think we may take a step back next year (at QB) and I’m ok with that, but I’ll take Heupel any day over Sunbelt Billy!
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Napier did everything he could to keep that game close and to be fair most of the breaks went Florida’s way. With a little less luck, that game isn’t close. I don’t see that game being close BUT I didn’t see us getting shellacked vs Carolina so anything is possible but we should beat them comfortably.
 
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#84
#84
Longsufferingvol said:
What do you guys think? I think it's worth asking because we have ended streaks against Florida several times in the past and it didn't change the dynamic in the series at all. I'm talking about the dynamic where we have to struggle to win a game against a vastly inferior team and if there's any way to lose the game we probably will. This past season is a good example of that. We just missed the playoff and barely beat one of the worst Florida teams in recent memory that got taken to the woodshed by Oregon State in their bowl game. I'm hoping it will be different next year. I want nothing less than a Missouri 2021 type of performance against Florida. I want to believe we can actually smoke those guys. Lol
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Right now, FL doesn't have a mental edge over themselves. They have alot of work to do in their own house at the moment. Next season is a W for UT imo, if we don't lay an egg. I think Napier is a good coach and will get FL back, but it will take one more year for them to be recognizeable. But, who really knows how it goes. That's why they play the games.
 
#85
#85
The Gators have to worry more about beating
Kentucky and Vanderbilt than the Vols.
I’ll bet you never heard that before !
 
#86
#86
Longsufferingvol said:
What do you guys think? I think it's worth asking because we have ended streaks against Florida several times in the past and it didn't change the dynamic in the series at all. I'm talking about the dynamic where we have to struggle to win a game against a vastly inferior team and if there's any way to lose the game we probably will. This past season is a good example of that. We just missed the playoff and barely beat one of the worst Florida teams in recent memory that got taken to the woodshed by Oregon State in their bowl game. I'm hoping it will be different next year. I want nothing less than a Missouri 2021 type of performance against Florida. I want to believe we can actually smoke those guys. Lol
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How exactly?...They are horrible...UT will wipe the floor with them next year.
 
#90
#90
Sammy Joe said:
That feeling that used to reside in the bottom of my stomach has completely disappeared. It's been replaced with a feeling of superiority. Bring them on. No fear. No retreat, no surrender. WGWTFA
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Pretty much this. We obviously laid an egg at South Carolina, but we hung with the number 1 team in the country, on the road and we didn’t even play well. We finally beat Bama and just crushed a national championship winning coach in our bowl game. Not much I’m worried about at this point.
 
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#91
#91
Longsufferingvol said:
What do you guys think? I think it's worth asking because we have ended streaks against Florida several times in the past and it didn't change the dynamic in the series at all. I'm talking about the dynamic where we have to struggle to win a game against a vastly inferior team and if there's any way to lose the game we probably will. This past season is a good example of that. We just missed the playoff and barely beat one of the worst Florida teams in recent memory that got taken to the woodshed by Oregon State in their bowl game. I'm hoping it will be different next year. I want nothing less than a Missouri 2021 type of performance against Florida. I want to believe we can actually smoke those guys. Lol
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Mental my ass. The only reason there might be a mental edge is some Vol fans constantly bringing it up and putting doubt in the minds of the team that it’s a real thing. Our history with FL is due to talent, coaching, crazy bounces and officials that occasionally can’t tell that a pass was incomplete. Let’s stay confident and positive as a fan base and that will filter into the Vol locker room.
 
#95
#95
Lawrence Wright said:
UF will be worse in 2023.

And that’s not my 0-12 schtick speaking.

The roster is still garbage.
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What is the program doing about the QB situation? Coach up an existing player, put a true freshman in, or find a portal prospect?
 
#96
#96
Longsufferingvol said:
What do you guys think? I think it's worth asking because we have ended streaks against Florida several times in the past and it didn't change the dynamic in the series at all. I'm talking about the dynamic where we have to struggle to win a game against a vastly inferior team and if there's any way to lose the game we probably will. This past season is a good example of that. We just missed the playoff and barely beat one of the worst Florida teams in recent memory that got taken to the woodshed by Oregon State in their bowl game. I'm hoping it will be different next year. I want nothing less than a Missouri 2021 type of performance against Florida. I want to believe we can actually smoke those guys. Lol
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Probably.

Florida was awful this year and we still only beat them by 5 AT HOME with a hype crowd.

Sorry QB threw for 450 yards lol
 
#97
#97
McDad said:
What is the program doing about the QB situation? Coach up an existing player, put a true freshman in, or find a portal prospect?
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We brought in Wisconsin’s QB from the portal, a very underwhelming pickup considering who was available.

The QB Rashada we flipped from Miami might be more talented but not quite ready to play as a true freshman.

Napier will sink or swim based on our 2024 class with the 4-5* QB Lagway. For better or for worse he will get a full four years to rebuild with his kids.

There’s another 1-2 year window for the East to treat us like a stepchild. If that’s still the case following 2025, Napier is toast.
 
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#98
#98
The 2022 team didn't seem to play with any sort of mental disadvantage. I'd say quite the opposite. I was freaking out in the 4th quarter when Florida started making it a a game but the only mental mistake we made in the 4th quarter was Hooker throwing the ball short of the sticks to Fant on 4th and 3. The game got close because Richardson played the game of his life, UF found success on 4th down attempts 5 out of 6 times, and UF got a perfect bounce on the onside kick. My butt hole got tight but our guys never blinked. People love to hate on Banks but our defense made a critical stop on the 2 point conversion and they made another critical stop after the onside kick. If not for the 2-point stop, a FG would would have sent it to OT. We were mentally tough in 2022 and there's no reason to think we won't be tough again in 2023.
 
#99
#99
Kylo said:
Have. You. Seen. Florida. Play???
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There is a big difference in Florida at the start of the season and Florida at the end.

Seems like they are always better in the beginning and fade. Of course than means we always play them early before the wheels have a chance to come off.
 
#100
#100
Lawrence Wright said:
We brought in Wisconsin’s QB from the portal, a very underwhelming pickup considering who was available.

The QB Rashada we flipped from Miami might be more talented but not quite ready to play as a true freshman.

Napier will sink or swim based on our 2024 class with the 4-5* QB Lagway. For better or for worse he will get a full four years to rebuild with his kids.

There’s another 1-2 year window for the East to treat us like a stepchild. If that’s still the case following 2025, Napier is toast.
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Any insight on how Napier is handling the pressures of a big time program and the huge expectations of Florida fans?
 
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