From: jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu (jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu (Jeff Mejia))
Newsgroups: rec.sport.football.college
Subject: Swamp News, pt 2 (ramblings)
Date: 11 Sep 92 20:25:21 -0500

Here's my report on the feelings, indications, etc. of the upcoming Kentucky
game.

1. THE OPPONENT- Kentucky looks to be an easy opening opponent for the Gators,
but they were the team that scored the most points against the Gators last year
out of any SEC team, and the option has given the Gators fits last year.  They
unveiled their triple-I option formation against Central Michigan last week
after keeping it under wraps the whole pre-season of closed practices.  Last
week's 21-14 win can only be called unimpressive, since it did come over a team
that is only expected to be in the middle of the MAC race.  The new offense
generated 303 yards last week, 10 yards less than their average last year when
they were last in the SEC in total offense.  On defense, last year the Gators
seemed to score at will in the first half, and then we mentally packed our bags
for New Orleans and almost blew it.  My feeling is that we are going to throw,
throw, throw, and throw some more (did I mention that we will throw the ball?)
in order to get quick scores to give the new offensive line some breathing
space.  The defense is going to make mistakes, as they will be over-eager to
impress and will be caught by many fakes of the option, but I expect the talent
level of the Gators to be too much for the Wildcats.

2. THE FANS- The outlook from around here is one of hesitation and uncertainty. 
Since the defensive line, which was touted as a strength in pre-season
magazines, is soo unexperienced, there is fear that we will not be able to stop
the run in a still run-dominated conference.  The fans are excited about our
chances to win the SEC East, but after last year's championship, the next goal
for the team is for hopes that we can fight for the MNC, and that looks very
difficult this year.  There is almost a letdown in thinking about a conference
championship, because of the long suffering that went on in the 53 years it
took the Gators to win that first (official) one.  With the games finally
beginning, however, those thoughts are leaving and being replaced by the game
to game specifics.

3.  THE SCHEDULE- Most observers agree that the schedule is decent.  Our
toughest early game looks to be the game at Mississippi State on Thursday,
October 1 on ESPN, since that will be MSU's home opener, and the Gators have
not traditionally done well on the road.  After that, the Gators get 5 home
games in a row before the blast on Halloween in Jacksonville against Georgia,
which most feel will be the game for the SEC East.  After that, there's 2 home
games, then a road game at Vandy where the Gators haven't done well, finishing
up at FSU one week before the SEC championship game in Birmingham.  Most Gator
fans are expecting to be in Birmingham on December 5, so if we are not there,
this season will be considered a disappointment.

4.  PREDICTION-  I'm lousy at these, but here goes anyway

GATORS-52
kentucky-21

-- 
	Jeff Mejia         University of Florida   jpm@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu
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