Bleacher Report - Articles by JoeGator Gator

"Florida By 10...Told Ya!": Gator Joe's Crow Shack, Open for Business

JoeGator Gator — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 01:42:56 -0500

Wanna crow about your prediction? Wanna serve up some crow for that dude you've been battling with on B/R all season?

You are hereby cordially invited to post your pick (or expose the folly of your nemisis).

Here's my prediction on the BCS National Championship Game:

"I really see no way to stop Bradford's quit-hit passing, except in the red-zone. Once in the red-zone, OK won't be able to clear out the shot-middle and short-side as they can in the "longer" portions of the field.

The Gator's have played bend-don't-break D to perfection all season, so I see most of the Gator stops happening deeper in Gator territory.

I don't see the Sooner D stopping Tebow & Co. I see the Gators winning by at least 10, and could be a blowout if Meyer pulls out all the Gator O stops."

Gotta add this one:

Irish...The Florida secondary is outstanding based on the speed, talent, and toughness they've displayed throughout the season. CB's Jenkins and Haden are as good as any I've seen in years. Safeties Hill, Wright, and Black will slobber-knock some Sooners on the 8th.

(For full credit, post a link to your quote—and no editing it after the fact!)

Happy gloating!

Big 12 Report Card... 5 F's, 2 C-minus's, 4 B's, and an Incomplete

JoeGator Gator — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 08:07:58 -0500

Five Big 12 teams finished the season with seven or more losses...sorry boys, they all flunk.

After a long season of hype, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State couldn't cut it against bowl competition, so two D's there.

Despite four-loss seasons, Nebraska, Kansas, and Missouri won their bowls and get B's for their efforts. Texas (who was screaming for a shot at the BCS championship) barely squeaked by a rebuilding Ohio State team, so they drop from an A to a B.

Further indication of the Big 12's fall from perceived glory is the poor showing of their so-called "high powered" offenses. The Big 12's big five (Texas, Texas Tech, Missouri, Oklahoma State, and Oklahoma) have yet to live up to their billing.

Texas, Ok St, Mizzou, and Texas Tech have averaged a pedestrian 29.75 points against their bowl opponents...This puts the Big 12 powers closer to the middle-of-the-pack than the top-of-the-heap in NCAA scoring stats.

Bowl games don't matter? Right. Bowl games have been around since 1902. If a college team can't figure out how to prepare for a celebrated season-ending contest, then perhaps they're playing the wrong sport. That's a loser's excuse.

The credibility of the Big 12 (and a slew of media pundits) will be at stake on Thursday night. Personally, I think Florida's D will win the battle against Bradford and his boys. The Gators will also win the kicking game.

Many "if's" remain in Florida's O...Will Harvin really be 90 percent or more? How about Rainey's injury? Can Tebow get the ball to Demps in the open? Will Deonte Thompson finally get his shot?

All in all, the Gator O will be up to the task of supplying adequate output to handle the Sooners. If all the stars align for the Gator O, we could see a blowout for the Gators over Oklahoma. The Gators will get a W...By what margin is the only question.

I've penciled in a B+ for Oklahoma's '08 grade...I'm fairly certain that will be their final grade. Another Big 12 bowl loss (particularly by one of the big five teams) will mercifully put an end to the Big 12 "best conference" bandwagon...at least until the "pundits" try to roll it out again next season.

8 Reasons Utah Beats Alabama in Sugar Bowl… Bama's Loss of Andre Smith is #1

JoeGator Gator — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 11:51:16 -0500

1. Andre Smith - The loss of Smith is brutal for Bama, but the timing of the loss will prove even more costly. There's no way Bama's offense can bounce back only days after losing their #1 lineman. Expect blocking assignments to be off all day. And JPW will be hurried and sacked far more than usual. If Smith were eligible, Bama would win. But he's not, and they won't.

2. Louie Sakoda, kicker - All-American (Unanimous). Hasn’t missed all season from 48 yards in. Won the Oregon State game with an FG with 00:00 on the clock... Cooler than icewater… when Utah gets inside the Bama 30, Sakoda scores. Period. Sakoda has killer punting stats on pinning opponents inside their own 10. Utah wins the kicking game.

3. Matt Asiata - This RB is a beast. He’s big, fast, and mean. Asiata will make at least one big play. He’ll convert some big third downs.

4. Brian Johnson - Most underrated QB in college ball? He’s definitely one of ‘em. Hand-picked by Urban Meyer as the successor to Alex Smith, this fifth-year senior is for real.

Has run very little this season (because of prior injuries), but has great speed and elusiveness. Equal to JPW in every category. 68 percent passer and can turn a busted play into a TD with ease.

5. Paul Kruger - Sophomore DE 6’5” 265. Very fast and athletic. Was an All-American QB in high school. Has redshirted and completed a two-year church mission.

The much anticipated match-up between Andre Smith and Kruger won’t happen. Look for big problems for JPW from Kruger’s side of the line.

6. Ute Defense - Whittingham is a “D” guy through and through. With Andre Smith gone, look for the Utah D to make a good showing. Utah D plays smash-mouth football… that’s been Coach Whit’s M.O. for 20 years.

They’ll have problems with Julio Jones, but the ’85 Chicago Bears D would have problems with JJ. This is an underrated SEC-quality defense.

7. Bama Letdown – I’m not fond of this “excuse”, but I think it has to be considered in this game. For Utah? This is one of the two biggest games in the history of Utah football. For Bama? This match-up is a major disappointment for both players and fans... Hey, just keeping it real.

8. Ute Receivers – Freddie Brown, Bradon Godfrey, and Brent Casteel could play on any SEC team. Brown can fly, and Godfrey and Casteel make circus catches all day long.

Bottom line: The loss of Andre Smith will cost Bama this game. Smith’s loss is huge. Timing will be off for the Bama O. Smith would have handled Kruger, but Kruger won’t be stopped by Smith’s replacement. With Smith's absence, I see Sakoda’s field position punting and deadly accurate FG’s being the difference in a tough battle... Utah by 3

Gator Writer Mike Bianchi Still in Love With HighSchool Sweetheart? Wife Dissed?

JoeGator Gator — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 20:28:22 -0500

Just look at that photo above. Is she the one Mike Bianchi falls asleep thinking about...the obviously shallow one with the pom poms and the good posture? You can't see it in the picture, but I'm sure her "blonde" hair is riddled with split ends...just another average Mildred, if you ask me.

Is Mike's wife dissed? Maybe "dissed" is the wrong word...but it rhymes with "dissed." I mean, who wouldn't be? Man oh man, I would never disregard my wife's tender devotion by making a public spectacle of my "fantasy women" (because I couldn't, because I don't have any).

Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike, Mike... How could you? Here's the quote folks. Decide for yourselves. Is Mike still OBSESSED with his old squeeze, or not?

"Not that I blame Meyer for Notre Dame being his dream job; I just think it's a slap in the face to UF for him to admit it publicly. Hey, it's one thing for your high school sweetheart to always be the girl of your dreams, but you don't go and tell your wife about it, do you? How well would this go over? 'Hey, honey, I love you, but she's the one I fall asleep thinking about'..." Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel, 12/19/08

Mike Bianchi is a PROFESSIONAL WRITER! There are a billion analogies he could have chosen. Why this one (I think it is painfully clear to all). Why, "Hey, it's one thing for your high school sweetheart to always be the girl of your dreams"? And why, ''Hey, honey, I love you, but she's the one I fall asleep thinking about...''?

Why Mike, why?

I think I am not alone in demanding an immediate apology from Mike Bianchi and the Orlando Sentinel. This is an outrage. His comments are a slap in the face to all our dear sweet wives...the mothers of our children...the brave women all across this great and bountiful land.

How could you Mike? Get some professional help, Mister.

Yes, Virginia, Urban IS Coming to Notre Dame—But NOT 'Til You're All Grown Up

JoeGator Gator — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:32:05 -0500

Yes, Virginia, Meyer will probably come to Notre Dame, but not anytime soon. Here's a little background on the subject (and some breaking news from Meyer's Tuesday, Dec. 16 comments).

Associated Press, 12/03/2004:

"SALT LAKE CITY—Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White took off in a private jet, flying into a cold Utah night without Urban Meyer...

The Fighting Irish officially began their pursuit of Meyer on Thursday night when White and incoming school president The Rev. John Jenkins spent several hours meeting with Meyer about taking over the nation's most storied college football program."

Notre Dame's "eleventh hour" offer was not acceptable to the Meyer family in '04 and won't be acceptable until about 2018. The fly in the ointment then (and now) was the coast-to-coast recruiting required at Notre Dame vs. short in-state hops for recruiting at Florida.

Florida meant every night at home with the family; Notre Dame meant sleeping in hotels and being away from his family five nights a week during the long recruiting season.

From Buddy Martin's book "Urban's Way":

"Remember now, Shelley still had 'veto rights' on all but three schools—and Notre Dame was one, where she had only 49 per cent of the vote.

"At the end of the night, way into the wee hours of the morning, Urban and Shelley sorted it all out. They were going to Florida. The next morning they called Foley, who rushed over to their house.

"Shelley remembers Foley coming to the Meyer house and shaking hands with Urban, who said, 'I'm coming to Florida.' She was so happy that she screamed."

The Florida choice was not about prestige or money—it was about family. The Meyers had moved to and from college towns half a dozen times before coming to Florida. Urban and Shelley have put down roots in Gainesville. Meyer has made it clear by his words AND his actions that Gainesville is home for the Meyers until the children are fully grown.

Meyer made a simple off-handed comment a few days ago which has been blown completely out of proportion by headline-hungry "journalists."

Here is the quote:

"Once my kids are done, maybe some day I'll go coach there," Meyer told WQAM. "I don't know that. That's way down the road. Being a father and being able to recruit the best athletes in America within a five-hour radius of my home, that's why I came to Florida. I thought we could have a great chance at success."

And further:

"To be the head football coach of Notre Dame, you're on a plane recruiting because you recruit San Diego as hard as you recruit New York as hard as you recruit Florida, Texas, Ohio," said Meyer, whose youngest child has yet to reach middle school. "It's a national recruiting base. I recruited there for six years, and I spent every night in a hotel in an airport. I'm going to be a good father first."

On Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2008 Meyer further clarified the issue:

"Our staff has given our life to Florida football for four years. We plan on giving our life to Florida football for a long, long time. You start hearing, 'Well coach, I thought you said [that Notre Dame was] your dream job.' I grew up in the North and that was my dream job. Probably always will, but that has nothing to do with this.

"This is my dream job. This is my job. I hope to be here for a long, long time. I hear that out there and it's my fault. But this is everything I want in a school. This is the best job in America. You don't give your life to a school like our whole staff has. We plan on doing this for a long time."

Sorry, Virginia, but you'll have to wait a decade or so before seriously considering Meyer as a candidate at Notre Dame. If the job is still open in 2018, Meyer will be your guy...sorry, no sooner. But, if it helps any, some hack will probably write a "Meyer moving to South Bend" story every week or so in the interim.

Coach Dan Mullen Leaves Gators... Time for Urban Meyer to Cut the Cord

JoeGator Gator — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 12:07:18 -0500

Congratulations to Dan Mullen on his new position... no hard feelings from this Gator. However, it is time for Mullen to move on and to leave the Oklahoma game in the capable hands of the current Gator coaching staff.

Mullen has clearly stated that his highest priority is hiring staff and pulling his '09 recruiting class together. This is not just a full time job; it is far beyond a full time job at this stage of the game.

The Gator offense deserves the full attention of all coaches associated with the Oklahoma game. This is a game of historic proportions for the Gator football program. Meyer, Gonzales, and Addazio are fully capable of handling the offense without Mullen's part-time assistance.

Another point... Mullen is now the leader of a competing SEC football program. The recruiting battle is in full swing, and it may not be a great idea to give Mullen a "bully pulpit" in Miami with weeks of intense press coverage and valuable national television exposure.

Further... Mullen is reported to be courting several members of the Gator's coaching staff to serve on his new Bulldog staff. The less contact Mullen has with Meyer's staff the better.

Should Meyer trust in Mullen's best intentions? Possibly not. Meyer seemed completely blindsided at his Sunday press conference when asked by a reporter about Mullen's prospects for the Mississippi State job. Meyer had no clue that Mullen was in serious contention for the job. It seems difficult to imagine that Mullen was not aware that the Bulldogs were serious suitors.

All in all, way to go Dan! Best of luck to you and your program, but you belong on the opposite SEC sideline now, not on ours.

Gator OC Mullen is New Head Coach at Miss St... Mike Sanford, Are You Watching?

JoeGator Gator — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 10:53:06 -0500

The AP announced today that Gator offensive coordinator Dan Mullen will become the head coach at Mississippi State.

No word from coach Urban Meyer as to whether Mullen will serve as OC for the "Big Party" in Miami. Meyer has not yet commented on Mullen's departure.

Mike Sanford, head coach at UNLV, was Meyer's offensive coordinator at Utah. Many believe that Sanford's version of the Meyer Spread was more sophisticated and effective than Mullen's at Florida.

Sanford has been under fire at UNLV for failing to turn the downtrodden Rebels program into a winner during his four-year tenure. UNLV has offered Sanford a three-year extension, but no deal is signed as yet.

Gregg Brandon, Meyer's OC at Bowling Green, was fired from his head coaching position at BG and may enjoy a few years in the sunny south. There are a host of other up-and-coming young OC's throughout the country as the spread is becoming the offense of choice in the college ranks.

Meyer has said on a number of occasions that he has a short list of prospective coaches at the ready. Meyer is expected to announce Mullen's replacement within two weeks.

Texas & Oklahoma Want Re-Match...(Florida Gators, Please Step Aside)

JoeGator Gator — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 02:25:56 -0500

Hey Big-12! How badly do you want that re-match? Huddle-up and HAVE MISSOURI STEP ASIDE! Call a meeting of your Big-12 muckity-mucks and schedule Texas vs. Oklahoma for the Big-12 championship. It ain't BRAIN SURGERY!

Not interested in taking on all the pesky details of such a change? Fine. But don't put your inability to name a clear Big-12 champion on the backs of the other conference champions. The ONLY party who could benefit from the Big-12's murky championship picture is (guess who)...the Big-12.

A Spread-Option NFL Team in '09? Tim Tebow To Run It? What's Your Vote?

JoeGator Gator — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 05:39:40 -0500

Never say never... All the football geniuses said the Spread would NEVER work in the SEC. Now the same geniuses are saying it will NEVER work in the NFL.

My prediction: Some maverick owner will say, "screw the geniuses", throw the dice, and build a highly successful Spread-Option NFL franchise. Tebow will be the QB of choice. Alex Smith's stock will rise fast. Spread guru Mike Sanford will be getting a lot of phone calls... so will Urban Meyer, but he seems to be happy in Gainesville.

How many consecutive Spread-Option BCS championship teams will it take before some NFL owner gives the Spread a shot? This year will likely make four Spread-Option champs in a row. Some teams are already running limited Spread-Option packages, but when will a full blown Spread-Option offense emerge?

If Florida runs the table, I think it will happen immediately.

Spread-Option-Guru Mike Sanford Available? Florida, LSU, USC, NFL are Watching

JoeGator Gator — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:30:01 -0500

The Las Vegas Sun reports that UNLV head coach Mike Sanford and his AD may be at an impasse on the '09 season. This will come as great news to all the programs creating short-lists for coaching jobs that are soon to be vacant.

Sanford may walk away from UNLV unless his head coaching contract is extended. The grapevine has it that he is being considered as offensive coordinator by many big-time programs who could match or better his current compensation.

Sanford helped develop the hottest offense in college football...the Spread Option. He was the OC at Utah while Urban Meyer was head coach. Many believe that Sanford's Utah version of the spread was the best of 'em all. The last three national champions ran the spread, and in all likelihood this year's national champion will boast a spread offense as well.

LSU, USC, Auburn, Notre Dame, and others have had disappointing offensive production of late. I'm predicting that Sanford will leave UNLV and will land a high profile OC position.

Florida may lose Dan Mullen to a head coaching opportunity. If so, Sanford would be a brilliant choice as the new OC. For those of you who saw Sanford's Utah Spread, imagine what he could do with the wealth of talent in G'ville.

With Tebow soon to be in the NFL draft, and the Spread proving itself in the toughest BCS conferences, the Spread-Option may become the main attraction at an NFL franchise near you... Sanford (who has had some NFL coaching experience) will be high on any NFL short-list of Spread OC's.

Best Football Story Ever Written?

JoeGator Gator — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 00:25:01 -0500

Can't think of a better one... How an All-American, 9-year NFL vet returned to coach his inner-city high school (and is making a difference in our world)... be sure to click on the amazing video that accompanies this story. Link below:

http://www.freep.com/article/20081026/HSS/810260405&template=altart

From the Detroit Free Press

New Gator Signee: 6'7" 256 Lbs (and All-League High School Sprinter)

JoeGator Gator — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:33:08 -0500

The Gators get an early commitment from Denver, Colorado defensive end Nick Kasa. He's considered to be one of the top five DE's in the nation and rated "five stars" by Scout.com. Nick has great speed for a big man...he's an 11.0 100m sprinter for the Legacy High School track team.

In a year or two of workouts, Gator strength coach Mickey Marotti will likely add 50 pounds of muscle to Kasa's 6' 7" frame...and may add a couple steps of speed as well.

Video of Kasa blocking a field goal shows great leaping ability...he got his hands a couple feet above the height of a basketball rim in blocking a field goal that had absolutely no chance of getting over Kasa...the block was made from behind the line of scrimmage, though the line was pushed toward the kicker ala the Jarvis Moss' block against South Carolina in the '06 game...looked to me as though Kasa got well above the height that Moss attained.

With the addition of Kasa, the Gators are on track to have another top-three recruiting class. Pete Carroll and staff flew to Denver to "meet with Kasa's coach", but Kasa had Florida at the top of his list even before the Gators contacted him. When Kasa got Meyer's offer, he readily accepted. USC doesn't get them all, out West.

Gators Can Lose When Tebow Has Over 40 Percent of Rushing Carries...

JoeGator Gator — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 05:19:28 -0500

Tim Tebow... can there be too much of a good thing? Maybe. When Tim Tebow takes too much of the rushing load, the Gators have a losing record. There have been seven games in ’07 and ’08 when Tebow had more than 40 percent of the team’s carries. Gators have lost four of them.

On the other hand, in the most impressive wins of the Gators ’08 season (against LSU, Kentucky, and Georgia), Tebow averaged only 27.5 percent of the Gator’s carries.

Spreading the ball around to the Gator's amazing troop of playmakers has paid off with a trip to Atlanta for the SEC Championship and a realistic shot at the National Title.

Here are the stats on Tebow's percentage of carries:

2007

W KY (Tebow – 8; Team - 33; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 24.2% - W)

Troy (Tebow – 17; Team - 46; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 36.9% - W)

TN (Tebow – 18; Team - 46; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 39.1% - W)

Auburn (Tebow – 19; Team - 28; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 67.8% - L)

LSU (Tebow – 16; Team - 32; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 50.0% - L)

KY (Tebow – 20; Team - 37; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 54.1% - W)

GA (Tebow – 13; Team - 35; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 37.1% - L)

Vandy (Tebow – 6; Team - 36; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 16.6% - W)

SC (Tebow – 26; Team - 48; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 54.2% - W)

Fla At (Tebow – 11; Team - 31; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 35.4% -W)

FSU (Tebow – 13; Team - 38; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 34.2% -W)

Mich (Tebow – 16; Team - 32; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 50% - L)

2008

Hawaii (Tebow – 9; Team - 38; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 23.6% -W)

Miami (Tebow – 13; Team - 27; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 48.1% - W)

Tenn (Tebow – 12; Team - 35; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 30.7% - W)

Miss (Tebow – 15; Team - 35; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 42.9% - L)

Ark (Tebow – 12; Team - 38; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 31.6% - W)

LSU (Tebow – 12; Team - 41; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 29.3% - W)

KY (Tebow – 9; Team - 41; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 21.9% - W)

Georgia (Tebow – 12; Team - 38; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 31.5% - W)

Vandy (Tebow – 11; Team - 38; - Tebow’s % of Gator carries – 28.9% - W)