About Yesterday's Florida-Alabama Football Game

Yesterday, at least for a while as late as the third quarter, the University of Florida football team was keeping up with highly ranked Alabama, with the score knotted at one point at 21.  But the Gators were even with the Tide due to three turnovers that they all converted into touchdowns.  Florida quarterback Jeff Driskel had horrible passing statistics for the game, going 9 for 28 with 1 touchdown pass and 2 interceptions.  Yikes!  In contrast, Alabama quarterback Blake Sims, along with wide receiver Amari Cooper, had breakout career performances, heavily contributing to the most yards ever given up by a Gator defense in a single game.  After that 21-21 tie, Alabama protected the football while grinding out three more touchdowns and shutting down Florida's offense.  They were clearly the better team.

After the game I began to see some discontent with Florida coach Will Muschamp in the social media, some even calling for his firing.  I don't get that at all: Florida played Alabama with great tenacity and spirit; they were always big underdogs in this game and few expected them to win it...although I thought (as expressed in yesterday's article) that they had a shot.  Well, they might well have had a chance if the Tide had kept coughing up the football, but that was not to be.  This was a throwaway game for Florida...they don't need it to accomplish what could very well turn out to be a very successful season.  Florida needs more than anything to win against the other six teams in their own East Division.  If they accomplish that...no small feat...that will more than likely give them the division title, the first under Muschamp.  First things first, though: the Gators will need to get by Tennessee in their next game...while qb Driskel and the Florida defensive secondary need to regain the confidence that has been severely attacked over the last two games...