Buddy Martin Blog: Who is ‘WE’ in We Are The Boys From Old Florida’? Take A Look. Don't Back Down.

We could argue that maybe I Won’t Back Down is a more recent and hip anthem – and certainly appropriate for these days. Played back to back, these two songs make a powerful double-play medley for Gator fans, old and new. But let’s get real here.

Just for a minute, let’s switch the narrative and take a breath: If you’re not a Gator, turn the page, or click off – this will bore you.

If you are a Gator, consider this: The next time you tune up your vocal cords to belt out, “We are the Boys From Old F-L-O-R-I-D-A” … stop and consider the power of the words. A beloved, cherished song, still one of the most hallowed traditions of college football.

We are all strong for old Florida, down where the old Gators play, In all kinds of weather, We'll all stick together, for F-L-O-R-I-D-A...

We Are The Boys (And Girls) From Old Florida is like a gospel song, straight to the soul.

Unless, of course, the culture cancelers have put the Ki-bosh on that, too. Let’s not get political here, however – lawdy, lawdy, that’s what we’re all running from! – but rather let’s identify who that song is about. If you’re singing it as the third quarter comes to an end, it’s most likely a song about you. Your Gators. Your broken dreams. Your school. Your coach. And your infighting. Your mess.

FACTS: Written by two students in 1919 by Robert Swanson and John Isenour for their barbershop and dance band, We Are The Boys is best consumed live, arm-in-arm with a swaying Gator football crowd at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium/Steve Spurrier Field as a show of unity and support for the UF football team.

Photo by Chris Spears

We could argue that maybe I Won’t Back Down is a more recent and hip anthem – and certainly appropriate for these days. Played back to back, these two songs make a powerful double-play medley for Gator fans, old and new. But let’s get real here.

We love Tom Petty, aloof from UF though he really was originally, and I Won’t Back Down as the B Side. But the A side is the biggest authentic anthem of Gator football. Having said that, the story behind Petty’s writing of I Won’t Back Down does seem appropriate for the times.

Before recording Full Moon Fever, an arsonist burned down Tom Petty's house while he was in it with his family and their housekeeper. They escaped, but Petty was badly shaken and spent much of the next few months driving between hotel rooms and a rented house. It was on these drives that he came up with many of the songs for the album; the fire was a huge influence, especially on this song. Petty felt grateful to be alive, but also traumatized -- understandable considering someone had tried to kill him. "I Won't Back Down" was his way of reclaiming his life and getting past the torment -- he said that writing and recording the song had a calming effect on him. -- From Songfacts.com

As one of four SEC East teams at 4-4, the trajectory of Florida football appears flat-lined. The Gators must go 4-0 the rest of the way to achieve an 8-4, which may sound like epic failure by Gator fans under 50.

This is going to be a bitter pill for some, but if Dan Mullen wins out and goes to post-season with an 8-4 the second straight season, it’s really not all far that off many projections (just listen to Mike Griffith on The Paul Finebaum Show) and this presents an endless stream of questions.

First off, who’s to say Florida just isn’t an 8-4 program? Of course it’s not acceptable and expectations are far greater than that. Petulant Gator fans won’t hear of that because they’ve been eating filet mignon, so ground prime sirloin isn’t going to cut it. But taste buds may have to be adjusted.

I looked up this small sample: In the past 70 years, in almost half of the seasons the Gators have finished 8-4 or worse. After 46 games at Florida, Mullen’s winning overall percentage is just under 72 percent. Based on that, Mullen would be projected to win 8.6 games per season from this point forward. That would include post-season. Which is, of course, not acceptable, but about one less win than where Las Vegas had them projected for this regular season. With a bowl win they can be 9-4.

In the foreseeable future, that model doesn’t look good enough to win an SEC East every few seasons and go to a New Year’s Six Bowl. Not good enough for those Gators loyalists who expect Dan Mullen to consistently compete with Georgia or Alabama. Right now they’re behind even the Auburns, Texas A&Ms and Kentuckys.

However, all hope isn’t lost. Other programs ebb and flow, too. For the record, I do agree that Scott Stricklin and Mullen have got to find a way to recruit better football players and assemble a stronger staff with better recruiting skills. Again, the idea that Mullen should be fired is laughable, even if you don’t care for his demeanor or enjoy his “I’m-the-smartest-guy-in-the-room” press conferences (which he always is).

Also, before I rattle off some questions, please don’t take this as a caveat as an endorsement for Florida becoming an 8-4 program. Unless changes and adjustments are made, that could be where it’s headed. But I’m not ready to accept that as the program paradigm. Remember, Stricklin and Mullen are smart guys who are good at their jobs.

As for my questions:

If Todd Grantham and his staff are fired or not retained, who can they hire?

Don’t people have to calm down with the recruiting rhetoric? The first players that need to be recruited are the 40-50 core group on the current roster, including two very good quarterbacks. Constantly complaining about the talent is borderline disrespectful.

Can digging deep into the transfer portal offset recruiting deficiencies? And will superb development of players by Mullen’s staff at least enhance the chances of upsetting Georgia?

Back to the warm fuzzies of music. The fractured Gator Nation certainly doesn’t need a debate over which song is best, because their nerves are already frazzled. And frankly, we’re all a little bumfuzzled. We have no real answers as to how this Gator Angst Virus has been spread. In fact, we have more questions than ever.

However, it's OK not to have all the answers right now.