Thoughts of the Day: September 2, 2021

A few thoughts to jump start your Thursday morning:

THE JUICE WILL RETURN TO THE SWAMP

The feeling will be quite different Saturday night when Dan Mullen and the Gators gather in the south end zone tunnel, waiting for the signal to run out to the cheers of an expected crowd of 90,000 at The Swamp for their season opening game against Florida Atlantic. A year ago, when the Gators finally got to play their home opener against South Carolina, the electricity was missing. It was that way the entire year as COVID-19 forced games to be played in partially filled stadiums minus the normal juice.

Dan Mullen missed the juice.

“Well last year I mean just very, very unique in guys having to motivate themselves to play the game, which, I mean, our guys love to play the game,” Mullen said back on Monday. “We love to coach the game. We love everything the game stands for. So the motivating factor’s there, but it is that extra energy.

“You do. You feel the crowd. You don’t just hear it, but you feel it. And I think that’s something that can really draw out things inside of you that you don’t get through last year when your self-motivation and desire to go play. When you can feel the energy of a crowd, it lifts you up even more.”

Last year was unique in so many ways and in retrospect, it’s hard to fault a team that went 8-4 with all the adversity that the pandemic caused. We tend to forget these are 18 to 22-year-old kids who were forced to live in a bubble existence not knowing if there was even going to be a game next week. That they did as well as they did under the circumstances should be celebrated.

And we should be celebrating Saturday night, too, because the juice will be back and Florida Field will be rocking once again. Returning to normal. What a concept.

4-STAR POWER FORWARD MALIK RENEAU COMMITS TO FLORIDA

Score a double win for Florida basketball coach Mike White on Wednesday. First, he got a commitment out of Malik Reneau (6-9, 225, Hialeah Gardens, FL/Montverde, FL Montverde Academy). He’s the nation’s 23rd-ranked prospect by ESPN, 24th-by Rivals. He’s an athletic stretch guy who is as comfortable posting up as he is putting the ball on the deck from beyond the arc and blowing past everyone to the rack. Getting Reneau to commit to the Gators over Memphis, LSU, Florida State and Virginia was certainly a big win for White. It was also a big win for White because it was the first big recruit reeled in by new assistant Erik Pastrana. Maybe, just maybe, White has the recruiter he needs to pick up momentum ahead of the early signing period from November 10-17.

Reneau, who will be playing once again for Kevin Boyle, the nation’s top prep basketball coach at Montverde, averaged 17.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 2.4 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.3 blocks per game playing for Nightrydas Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit during the summer.

WHERE THEY RANKED IN HIGH SCHOOL: OG

Here are the top 10 offensive guard recruits in the country every year since 2010. There are a bunch of names that might seem a bit overhyped in retrospect.

2010 1. Trey Hopkins (Galena Park, TX), Texas; 2. James Stone (Nashville, TN), Tennessee; 3. Bronson Irwin (Mustang, OK), Oklahoma; 4. Christian Lombard (Palatine, IL), Notre Dame; 5. Erick Mack (Saint Matthews, SC), Auburn; 6. Cam Feldt (Pilot Point, TX), Arkansas; 7. Kolton Houston (Buford, GA), Georgia; 8. Quinton Spain (Petersburg, VA), West Virginia; 9. Shep Klinke (Katy, TX), Texas A&M; 10. Erick Kohler (Thousand Oaks, CA), Washington

2011 1. Bobby Hart (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Florida State; 2. Sedrick Flowers (Houston, TX), Texas; 3. Angelo Mangiro (Succasunna, NJ), Penn State; 4. Cyrus Hobbi (Scottsdale, AZ), Southern Cal; 5. Jordan Walsh (Glen Ellyn, IL), Iowa; 6. Mitch Smothers (Springdale, AR), Arkansas; 7. Brendon Austin (Parker, CO), Stanford; 8. Jordan Rigsbee (Chico, CA), California; 9. Marcus Jackson (Vero Beach, FL), Tennessee; 10. Austin Blythe (Williamsburg, IA), Iowa

2012 1. Isaac Seumalo (Corvallis, OR), Oregon State; 2. Joshua Garnett (Pullyap, WA), Stanford; 3. Kyle Kalis (Lakewood, OH), Michigan; 4. Curtis Riser (DeSoto, TX), Texas; 5. Jessamen Dunker (Boynton Beach, FL), Florida; 6. Jordan Simmons (Encino, CA), Southern Cal; 7. Dan Voltz (Barrington, IL), Wisconsin; 8. Evan Boehm (Lees Summit, MO), Missouri; 9. Vadal Alexander (Buford, GA), LSU; 10. John Michael McGee (Texarkana, TX), Oklahoma

2013 1. Darius James (Harker Heights, TX), Texas; 2. Grant Hill (Huntsville, AL), Alabama; 3. Kyle Bosch (Wheaton, IL), Michigan; 4. David Dawson (Detroit, MI), Michigan; 5. Chris Fox (Parker, CO), Michigan; 6. Ira Denson (Madison, FL), Florida State; 7. Tyrone Crowder (Rockingham, NC), Clemson; 8. Denver Kirkland (Miami, FL), Arkansas; 9. John Montelus (Everett, MA), Notre Dame; 10. Josh Boutte (New Iberia, LA), LSU

2014

1. Damien Mama (Bellflower, CA), Southern Cal; 2. Rod Taylor (Jackson, MS), Ole Miss; 3. Braden Smith (Olathe, KS), Auburn; 4. Viane Talamaivao (Corona, CA), Southern Cal; 5. Demetrius Knox (Fort Worth, TX), Ohio State; 6. Garrett Brumfield (Baton Rouge, LA), LSU; 7. Isaiah Wynn (St. Petersburg, FL), Georgia; 8. Mason Cole (Tarpon Springs, FL), Michigan; 9. Toa Lobendahn (La Habra, CA), Southern Cal; 10. Donell Stanley (Latta, SC), South Carolina

2015 1. Chuma Edoga (Powder Springs, GA), Southern Cal; 2. Maea Teuhuma (Keller, TX), LSU; 3. Javon Patterson (Petal, MS), Ole Miss; 4. Lester Cotton (Tucscaloosa, AL), Alabama; 5. Richie Petitbon (Washington, DC), Alabama; 6. Josh Wariboko-Alali (Oklahoma City, OK), UCLA; 7. Matthew Burrell (Woodbridge, GA), Ohio State; 8. Kyonta Stallworth (Detroit, MI), Michigan State; 9. Jalin Barnett (Lawton, OK), Nebraska; 10. Dallar Warmack (Atlanta, GA), Alabama

2016 1. Michael Menet (Reading, PA), Penn State; 2. Patrick Hudson (Silsbee, TX), Texas; 3. Terrance Davis (Hyattsville, MD), Maryland; 4. Michael Onwenu (Detroit, MI), Michigan; 5. John Raridon (West Des Moines, IA), Nebraska; 6. Donavaughn Cambell (Ponchatoula, LA), LSU; 7. John Simpson (North Charleston, SC), Clemson; 8. Tyler Gerald (Portsmouth, OH), Ohio State; 9. Deonte Brown (Decatur, AL), Alabama; 10. Chris Owens (Arlington, TX), Alabama

2017 1. Wyatt Davis (Bellflower, CA), Ohio State; 2. Josh Myers (Miamisburg, OH), Ohio State; 3. Tedarrel Slaton (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Florida; 4. Jack Anderson (Frisco, TX), Texas Tech; 5. Robert Hainsey (Bradenton, FL), Notre Dame; 6. Netori Johnson (Ellenwood, GA), Georgia; 7. CJ Thorpe (Pittsburgh, PA), Penn State; 8. Tyrese Robinson (McKinney, TX), Oklahoma; 9. Jonah Melton (Mebane, NC), North Carolina; 10. Nick Brahms (Navarre, FL), Auburn

2018 1. Jamaree Salyer (Atlanta, GA), Georgia; Penei Sewell (Saint George, UT), Oregon; 3. Trey Hill (Warner Robins, GA), Georgia; 4. Tommy Brown (Santa Ana, CA), Alabama; 5. DJ Scaife (Miami, FL), Miami; 6. Marquan McCall (Oak Park, MI), Kentucky; 7. Sam Taimani (Salt Lake City, UT), Washington; 8. Curtis Dunlap (Bradenton, FL), Minnesota; 9. Chris Murray (Santa Ana, CA), UCLA; 10. Steven Jones (Temecula, CA), Oregon

2019 1. Devontae Dobbs (Belleville, MI), Michigan State; 2. Sean Rhyan (San Juan Capistrano, CA), UCLA; 3. Caeden Wallace (Princeton, NJ), Penn State; 4. Kardell Thomas (Baton Rouge, LA), LSU; 5. William Putnam (Tampa, FL), Clemson; 6. Doug Nester (Huntington, WV), Virginia Tech; 7. Enokk Vimahi (Kahuku, HI), Ohio State; 8. Keiondre Jones (Hogansville, GA), Auburn; 9. Dontae Lucas (Miami, FL), Florida State; 10. Nolan Rumler (Akron, OH), Michigan

2020 1. Nate Anderson (Frisco, TX), Oklahoma; 2. Andrew Raym (Broken Arrow, OK), Oklahoma; 3. Paul Tchio (Alpharetta, GA), Clemson; 4. Garrett Hayes (Athens, TX), TCU; 5. Chris Morris (Memphis, TN), Texas A&M; 6. Michell Mayes (Raleigh, NC), Clemson; 7. Aaryn Parks (Washington, MD), Oklahoma; 8. Geirean Hatchett (Ferndale, WA), Washington; 9. Aki Ogynbiyi (Sugar Land, TX), Texas A&M; 10. Zak Zinter (North Andover, MA), Michigan

2021 1. Donovan Jackson (Houston, TX), Ohio State; 2. Bryce Foster (Katy, TX), Texas A&M; 3. Terrence Ferguson (Fort Valley, GA), Alabama; 4. Rocco Spindler (Clarkston, MI), Notre Dame; 5. Drew Kendall (Boston, MA), Boston College; 6. Marcus Tate (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Clemson; 7. Laurence Seymore (Miami, FL), Miami; 8. Greg Crippen (Bradenton, FL), Michigan; 9. Dylan Fairchild (Cumming, GA), Georgia; 10. Jager Burton (Lexington, KY), Kentucky

OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC

Tonight’s game

Bowling Green at Tennessee: It’s the first game of his UT coaching career for Josh Heupel, the first game of his last year as Bowling Green’s coach for former UF assistant Scot Loefler. The Vols are going to look better than they really are so UT fans will think the SEC Championship Game is theirs for the taking. Loefler is a nice guy, just not at HBC material. Barring something miraculous like winning six games in 2021, he will get pink-slipped. The sayer says sooth: Tennessee 44, Bowling Green 14

The rest of the SEC …

Alabama: On the SEC Coaches Teleconference Wednesday, Nick Saban said Miami has “a real good quarterback” and “really good skill guys on offense” and a defense that plays “hard, tough, physical, aggressive.” Paul Finebaum of the SEC Network isn’t nearly as impressed as Saban. Finebaum says, “No miracle, no chance, none that Miami is going to win this game.”

Arkansas: With Texas looming in week two, it’s likely that WR Treylon Burks sits the opener against Rice. Burks had 51 catches for 820 yards and seven TDs last year.

Auburn: Brad Council, who will get the start at right guard Saturday, will be looking across the line at former teammates. Council spent the first four years of his collegiate career at Akron, Saturday’s opponent.

Georgia: Kirby Smart still hasn’t released a depth chart for Saturday’s opener with Clemson so no one is 100 percent sure of the status of receivers Darnell Washington, Dominic Blaylock, Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton.

Kentucky: Abdul Abadi-Fitzgerald, who has played in 18 games at UK since 2017, will get the first start of his career at defensive tackle Saturday against Louisiana-Monroe.

LSU: Despite a bunch of players dinged up the past two weeks of practice, Coach O says “most everyone back” for Saturday’s season opener against UCLA in the Rose Bowl. Freshman wide receiver Malik Neighbors, however, won’t play and may not be ready for a couple of weeks.

Mississippi State: Austin Williams, who caught 43 passes for 372 yards and three touchdowns last season, is beginning to emerge as the leader among the MSU wide receivers. “I think Austin kind of leads that pack in being the guy who has been the most productive,” HBC Mike Leach said Wednesday.

Missouri: Mizzou will be facing a Central Michigan team minus head coach Jim McElwain Saturday. McElwain had to undergo emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

Ole Miss: HBC Lane Kiffin is expecting a much-improved defense in 2021. “With young kids and transfers that sat out and current players who are in the system and had a whole offseason, we’re improved over there,” Kiffin said Wednesday.

South Carolina: Zeb Noland, who has gone from graduate assistant to starting quarterback in a matter of two weeks was impressive from the day he took his first snaps in practice at South Carolina. “Zeb stepped right in that huddle and took command of that huddle,” HBC Shane Beamer said. “He went out there with like four plays and I want to say he went 4-for-4 and converted every third down.”

Texas A&M: Jimbo Fisher’s salary will increase to $9 million on January 1, to $9.15 million on January 1, 2023 and by $100,000 every year through the remainder of his contract, which has been extended through 2031.

Vanderbilt: HBC Clark Lea will start incumbent Ken Seals at quarterback against East Tennessee Saturday although backup Mike Wright will be playing as well.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

A few games to watch … Ohio State at Minnesota: Minnesota returns 20 starters from last year including QB Tanner Morgan and the best running back you haven’t heard of in Mohamed Ibrahim. Meanwhile Ohio State breaks in a rookie QB (C.J. Stroud) who doesn’t have a million dollar NIL deal. Doesn’t matter. Buckeyes win.

South Florida at NC State: The Bulls rehearse for next week’s game with the Gators by losing by at least three touchdowns.

Boise State at UCF: Now that he’s not required to beat Alabama every year, Gus Malzahn has a new lease on life at UCF. A win at the Bounce House will feel just fine.

East Carolina at Appalachian State: The Happy Appys are 10-point favorites in Boone. They may win but this will be white knuckles.

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: Nebraska coach Scott Frost was already feeling the heat after the Cornhuskers lost their season opener to Illinois last week but he did himself no favors when he made this comment: “About half of our game plan was out the window when they lined up how they did.” It’s one thing to be beaten on the field. It’s something altogether worse when you admit your team was so poorly prepared that they were caught by surprise after having had nine months to get ready. With that comment, the over-under on wins needed for Frost to keep his job went from seven to eight and eight isn’t going to happen.