Thoughts of the Day: No denying the Gators are young, inexperienced

A few thoughts to jump start your Wednesday morning:

“The best thing about freshmen is they become sophomores.” – Al McGuire

Photo Credit Chris Spears

Through the first five weeks of the season, 11 freshmen on the Florida roster have already burned their redshirt season by playing in all five games. Three others are certain to play enough games to slough off one year of eligibility. Among Florida’s scholarship players, 55 are either sophomores, redshirt freshmen and true freshmen.

According to Phil Steele, that makes the Gators No. 119 nationally in terms of inexperience. The Gators are 13th in the Southeastern Conference.

It isn’t an excuse to say the Gators are way too young and lacking experience at just about any position group on the roster. Just this past Saturday, Kentucky started 10 seniors and three juniors. The Gators don’t even have 10 scholarship seniors on the roster.

Does experience matter? Of course it does. Check out Georgia’s depth chart. Seventeen first teamers are upperclassmen. Here are the upperclassman numbers for some of the other highly ranked teams: No. 2 Michigan 18; No. 3 Texas 19; No. 5 Florida State 20; No. 6 Penn State 16; No. 7 Washington 17; No. 10 Notre Dame 17; No. 11 Alabama 14; No. 12 Oklahoma 19; and No. 17 Miami 18.

As easy as it is to point fingers at Billy Napier and his coaching staff, it should be taken into account that the Gators are going through some growing pains, not to mention there are so many new faces on the roster. Just since Napier arrived, 42 players have transferred out. With so few upperclassmen on the 2023 roster and a recruiting class that already has 21 commitments, you can expect more transfers. And, Napier can be expected to bring in experienced transfers to fill some gaps.

Make no mistake about it, this is a complete roster rebuild and it’s rare in college football that there is wholesale success when kids dominate the roster. As much as the Gator Nation wants to see success now, the only aging vat available is on the field experience. At some point the corner turns and the kids grow up. A year from now or two years from now, if these kids have grown up and the Gators are still losing games they should be losing, then Napier’s grand roster rebuild experiment can be declared an utter failure.

As irritated as Napier seemed Monday when he was peppered with questions, there was no mistaking he has confidence that (a) the way he’s rebuilding the roster will work and (b) that he will be given the time to give the program the foundation it takes to sustain success.

SEC football

No. 11 Alabama (4-1, 2-0 SEC): Chris “The Bear” Fallica says Saturday’s game with Texas A&M will be the most significant game of the Nick Saban era since a loss would mark the first time since 2007 that the Crimson Tide has dropped two games prior to the end of October … Nick Saban will make $11,407,000 this year. His buyout is $44,800,000.

Arkansas (2-3, 0-2 SEC): There may be changes on the way for the Hogs. HBC Sam Pittman said, “We may shake up the offensive line a bit.” In their loss to Texas A&M, Arkansas ran for only 42 yards on 39 carries while giving up seven sacks to the Aggies … The Hogs were expected to be one of the better offensive teams in the SEC this year, but through their first five games they average only 342 yards per game … Pittman is paid $6,350,000. His buyout is undisclosed.

Auburn (3-2, 0-2 SEC): Hugh Freeze says now that he was only talking in “hypotheticals” when he said the Auburn-Georgia rivalry would discontinue once Texas and Oklahoma join the league next season … The Tigers are dead last in the SEC in passing offense, averaging just 156 yards per game and an SEC low 6.5 yards per attempt … Hugh Freeze’s salary is $6,500,000 with a $25,187,500 buyout.

No. 1 Georgia (5-0, 2-0 SEC): The injury report ahead of Kentucky – Javon Bullard (ankle) likely; Kendall Milton (knee) probable; Ladd McConkey (back) probable; Austin Blaske (knee) probable; Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (ankle) doubtful; and Lawson Luckie (ankle) probable … Through five games QB Carson Beck has thrown for 1,497 yards (9.3 per attempt) and seven touchdowns. Beck is completing 72 percent of his passes … Kirby Smart is paid $10,705,600 this season. The buyout for his contract is $92,625,000.

No. 20 Kentucky (5-0, 2-0 SEC): Mark Stoops knows that to beat Georgia in Athens that the Wildcats have to find a way to neutralize tight end Brock Bowers, who Stoops calls “an absolute freak.” Bowers caught eight passes for 157 yards and a TD against Auburn last week … Stoops was selected Bobby Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week after the Wildcats hammered Florida, 33-14 … Kentucky pays Mark Stoops $9,000,000. His buyout is $51,187,500.

No. 23 LSU (3-2, 1-2 SEC): Speaking of defensive coordinator Matt House, who is under tremendous criticism from fans and media alike, Brian Kelly said, “There is one leader on our defense and I have utmost confidence he’ll be able to run it efficiently.” The Tigers rank 13th out of 14 SEC teams and 117th nationally in total defense … Brian Kelly’s salary is $9,975,000 with a buyout of $70,018,333.

Mississippi State (2-3, 0-3 SEC): Speaking of MSU’s 40-17 loss to Alabama last week, offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay said, “That wasn’t the type of game we needed to play to beat Alabama.” The Bulldogs managed only 261 yards in the game, just 107 in the air … At $3,000,000, Zach Arnett is the lowest paid head coach in the Southeastern Conference.

No. 21 Missouri (5-0, 1-0 SEC): Missouri’s defense will have to figure out a way to neutralize LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels, who has accounted for 19 touchdowns this season, 16 passing and three rushing. Daniels averages 10.3 yards per pass attempt … Eli Drinkwitz is paid $6,000,000 with a $20,437,500 buyout.

No. 15 Ole Miss (4-1, 1-1 SEC): The Ole Miss offensive line had probably the best game of any O-line in the SEC so far against LSU. The Rebels ran for 317 yards (6.47 per carry), threw for 389 (10.0 per attempt) and didn’t allow a sack in 88 snaps … Lane Kiffin is paid $9,000,000 with an undisclosed buyout.

South Carolina (2-3, 1-2 SEC): The Gamecocks rank dead last in rushing offense in the SEC at 87 yards per game. They’re also dead last in sacks allowed with 23 … Shane Beamer is paid $6,125,000 with an $18,255,521 buyout.

No. 22 Tennessee (4-1, 1-1 SEC): Defending quarterback Joe Milton at the Knoxville Quarterback Club, HBC Josh Heupel said some of the issues completing passes over the middle “can be fundamentals. Some of it can be somebody in his lap where he’s not getting through the football. Some of it can be the wide receiver not setting his right angle based on the coverage that we’re seeing” … Josh Heupel makes $9,000,000 per year with a $46,500,000 buyout.

Texas A&M (4-1, 2-0 SEC): Offensive lineman Dametrious Crownover says the Aggies are treating Alabama like “it’s just the next team” on the schedule … The Aggies rank first in the SEC and fifth nationally in total defense (253.8 yards per game). The Aggies are tied for third nationally in sacks with 20 … Jimbo Fisher’s salary is $9,150,000 and his buyout is $77,562,500.

Vanderbilt (2-4, 0-2 SEC): HBC Clark Lea won’t offer any hints who’s going to start against Florida. AJ Swann didn’t play last week in the loss to Missouri and he’s still listed as questionable for the Gators. Ken Seals, who was Vandy’s starter against Mizzou, actually started against the Gators in 2020 and 2021 … Vanderbilt pays Clark Lea $3,051,881.

Countdown to Firing Day: October 4, 2023

Extinct Species List

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern: A name to think about for the vacant job at Northwestern is former Stanford coach David Shaw. Northwestern’s academics won’t faze him.

Mel Tucker, Michigan State: Everybody who lists the potential candidates to replace Tucker has Matt Campbell of Iowa State high on the list. He makes $4 million at Iowa State with a $15 million buyout. Considering all the money they’ve saved by firing Mel Tucker for cause, the buyout shouldn’t be a problem if MSU decides to make a big push for Campbell.

On Life Support

Butch Jones, Arkansas State: He’s on a 3-game winning streak which has quieted the fan base somewhat. He’s got a chance to break even, which would rubber stamp his return. The people who write the checks aren’t eager to fire him because it would take $1.5 million, a lot of money in Jonesboro.

Tom Allen, Indiana: The calls to fire Allen will become roars this week after Michigan drops the hammer on the Whose Yours. Allen fired offensive coordinator Walt Bell, which isn’t going to help save his job. The buyout is $20,400,000. If Allen is gainfully employed next year, that will be the reason.

Danny Gonzales, New Mexico: Buzzards are circling the football offices. The buyout is only $400,000. Goner.

Dana Holgerson, Houston: Situation grim. The Cougars are 2-3 with West Virginia, Texas and Kansas State up ahead. The buyout is $14 million. That could save him but probably not.

Tony Elliott, Virginia: Elliott is now 1-16 since taking the job. If he loses to D1AA Bill and Mary this week the only thing that will save him is the $19 million it takes to buy him out.

Endangered Species List

Jimbo Fisher, Texas A&M: Jimbo will be back in the good graces of Aggies everywhere if he can knock off Nick Saban and Alabama this week. The $77,562,000 buyout is chump change for Aggie boosters.

Neal Brown, West Virginia: He’s on a 4-game winning roll. A 7-5 season and a $13 million buyout will keep him gainfully employed.

Jeff Hafley, Boston College: BC whacked Virginia last week so Hafley gets a 1-week reprieve. The next three games (Army, Georgia Tech and UConn) are winnable.

Dino Babers, Syracuse: When the Orange were 4-0 everybody loved Dino. Then he lost last week to Clemson, has UNC this week and FSU next. A six or seven win season isn’t going to cut it.

Ken Wilson, Nevada: The Wolfpack has lost five straight and will go down for the count against UNLV this week. The buyout is $1 million.

Dave Aranda, Baylor: Aranda had one foot out the door before that four touchdown rally in the fourth quarter to beat UCF. He needs to get to six wins.

Brady Hoke, San Diego State: They’ve got this spiffy new stadium and a rotten football team. Hoke’s nearly $5 million buyout is formidable for the cash poor boosters.

Mike Bloomgren, Rice: The Owls are 3-2 with a very real chance to get to seven wins. If they finish with a losing record he probably goes.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The NCAA, in its infinite wisdom, has proposals from its Division I Council that call for harsher penalties to cheaters. Bill Self still hasn’t had his day in court. Neither has Jim Harbaugh. That the council would make those suggestions now does make one wonder if this call for dropping the hammer on cheaters is designed to go after those two.

This is a case of too little, too late. The NCAA should have hammered Tennessee, LSU, Arizona and Louisville. Years ago they had ironclad cases against Florida State and North Carolina for academic fraud but chose not to prosecute. They had Miami dead to rights. A slap on the wrist.

We’ve had way too many inconsistencies over the years. The NCAA hammers who it wants, lets others skate for reasons unknown.

The best idea imaginable is to scrap the NCAA completely, form a new organization and draw up a set of rules that have severe, enforceable penalties for the cheaters.