Has Gus Malzahn Been Lying In The Weeds?

Some people say Gus Malzahn has been lying in the weeds all these years, waiting for the time to ambush the Florida Gators. Would this be Knight Time? Looks like a good opportunity for them to make a splash. 

First, a big national game with Deion Sanders’ flashy-without-much-substance-Colorado Buffaloes, cued up for the popular Big Noon Saturday Fox pregame show this week, featus for Central Florida? “It’s not a good place – it’s a great place to coach. People have won there before, all the way back to George O’Leary. Others, too. (Scott) Frost won there and claimed a national championship. Right in the heart of great recruiting country.

“This (next two weekends) will be a good test for them.”

Urban is also very impressed with Malzahn. “He’s one of those guys who got fired at Auburn. Go ask them now if they’d like to have him back.”

Saturday’s game is a national showcase with UCF in the spotlight as a new Big 12 member.

"But I can’t believe that it’s a 14-point spread (UCF -13.5),” said Urban.

Then it’s on to The Swamp to press an advantage against the struggling Gators. This could be a quantum leap for the UCF program, bolstered by the new Big 12 credentials and the clout of a top 16 Orlando TV market.

A chance, as they say, to make hay.

Can UCF strip away Florida’s last piece of dignity as the Sunshine State’s former Big Daddy? UCF’s rushing offense is now No. 1 in the country with 375.67 yards per game.

Not so fast, says Coach Meyer, who has big respect for Malzahn and admires his running attack. But he doesn’t see this as a “takeover,” even if the Knights come into The Swamp and pull off the win. “It takes a long time to build a brand like the Florida Gators.”

BTW, Florida has sold out a ninth consecutive home game and is 4-4 over its last eight sellout home games.

Quick Jump Starts

--Josh Heupel is already my favorite candidate for SEC Coach of the year.

--Angel Reese says she is “taking back my voice.” Good.  And while you’re at it, Dennis Rodman wants his attitude back.

--Congrats to Brandon Sproat, who pitched his way up to Triple-A and was named the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year, also tabbed the organization’s Player of the Year by Baseball America.

—Jamey Chadwell is still the odds-on favorite to become Florida’s next coach.

--Billy Napier is still the odds-on favorite to become the first coach fired — although if would seem Auburn’s Hugh Freeze is closing fast.

 Xs Formerly Known As Tweets

From Fire Sunbelt Billy—???

“Sources say we are hiring Corch Irving Meyers.”

(Note: Don’t those “sources” at least have to know his name?)

Now this one I like and admire because we need the humor.

From Blue-Orange Gator

BREAKING: FSU QB DJ Uiagalelei has decided NOT to redshirt and enter the transfer portal, despite urges and pleas to do so. He was promised $800k in NIL, and received all of it, to Rising Spear’s dismay.

Could Commanders Kliff Kingsbury ‘s name be added?

Some say the Washington Commanders offensive coordinator looks to be a possible candidate for the Florida Gators head job (I am not one of them). Jayden Daniels just played the game of his life. Set an NFL record for the highest completion percentage in a game ever for a rookie. Had more total touchdowns than incompletions.

It’s The Defense, Dummies

In Billy Napier’s first season, the Gators averaged 424.1 yards, 29.5 points per game, 64.5 plays and 6.58 yards per game. Opponents averaged 411 yards, 28.8 points, 69.5 plays and 6.57 yards per play. Year two, the Gators averaged 409.1 yards, 28.4 points, 59.3 plays and 6.05 yards per play while opponents had 382.3 yards, 27.6 points, 67.5 plays and 6.44 yards per play. Four games into 2024, the Gators are averaging 31.8 points and 424.3 yards while opponents are averaging 425.5 yards, 27.3 points, 74.5 plays and 5.69 yards per play. 

RIP Vel Heck man, One Of Gators’ First Legit All-Americans

From Steve Spurrier’s post: Sad to hear that the Mar-VEL-ous Vel Heckman passed away this week. I was honored that he and his family at our restaurant and that I got to spend some time talking with the oldest Gator.

Mr. Heckman played tackle for the Gators from 1954-1958.

He was a first-team All-American in 1958 and was on the team the first time ever Florida played that school out west. (A 21-7 win for the Gators)

God bless the friends and family of Mr. Heckman.

(I knew Vel, who was highly regarded by both his teammates and opponents.)

When It Comes To Hurricanes...

First off, our thoughts and prayers go out to everyone in the path of Hurricane Helene. We were blessed to have gotten out of Panama City several days ago and landed back in Ocala, thanks to a heads up call from my stepson, Tommy Ford, the sheriff of Bay County. After my experience in 2004 of being in the middle of Hurricane Charley in Punta Gorda, I promised to be a coward from then on. So we were on high ground, safe and dry.

These past three weeks, we’ve had three “events” counting Helena. First, we both came down with Covid. Then I lost my wallet with all our ids, debit cards, driver license, etc. Lost it IN our apartment, but after three days we gave up and started rebuilding our life.

This is in no way minimizing the other things, but by far the most stressful of these was losing the wallet and having to deal with government agencies and banks. Ugh! Don’t ever lose your wallet!