Before we get to this week’s game, I want to offer this first prediction: Willie Taggart. And I’ll just leave it at that.
Now, on to Saturday’s game at Missouri.
I really like what Randy Shannon has done in his first week as the interim head coach. He’s shaken things up a little bit by changing the routine and naming Malik Zaire the starting quarterback.
Shannon has always been very popular among the players and they seem excited about the opportunity to play for him. It just feels like a fresh start to a season that had grown stagnant, and everyone seems ready to distance themselves from the recent events concerning the stunning departure of Jim McElwain.
The players definitely haven’t given up on this season. They’re talking about winning out and making it to a bowl game. Winning out is possible, but not likely.
Going with Zaire at quarterback is a good thing and could spark the dormant offense. Then, again, the Gators have the same guy (Doug Nussmeier) calling plays and the same players who have struggled so mightily throughout the season.
The way the Tigers have cranked things up on offense, including scoring 28 points against Georgia, I figure the Gators probably will have to score at least 28 points to win this game. And I just don’t see that happening.
Prediction: Missouri 31, Florida 17
Why’d you have to throw in Willie Taggart, Robbie? Ugh. Hard to get excited about a coach with about a .500 record over 7 or 8 seasons.
Exactly. He’s the worst of the candidates in the six or so that continually get mentioned (Frost, Mullen, Norland, Taggart, Strong, and Fuente). In his defense he did take over programs that were in the toilet. But to see what Frost has done in just two years is incredible and it just feels like he’s got what it takes to be a top tier coach. Reminds me of Meyer really.
So Nuss is still calling the plays? Is he working in a vacuum as he might have been doing under his friend? I bet not, and with a running QB I hope he is going to be running and making yards. Not to mention the focus on doing things 100% correct in practice, I hope that every receiver is running routes that they make any mistake running a lot until they can and will run them correctly every time, or some other player gets their spot.
I’m not gulping the kool-aid with the interim coach, but I do think the players have renewed hope and focus.
I think DBU kicks back in and the defense scores 7 or more and the gators pull it out in a close one that is NOT hanging on and praying at the end if the 4th quarter, but by playing a complete game. Gators 24 – Tigers 21
That’s pretty much how I see it. Sorry Robbie.
Florida 37, Missouri 24.
-Florida has far better talent on its roster.
-Shannon tells Nussmeier to let off the breaks and let the ball fly.
-Zaire sparks the offense on the ground and through the air.
-Pineiro kicks three FGs, one from over 50 yards out.
-And the defense gets in the end zone at least once as well.
Go Gators.
I like the part about telling Nussmeier to let off the damn brakes, Rick. For the love of everything good and decent, I’ve wanted to see that all season! Maybe Mac would still be here?
How in the heck is Taggert’s name even mentioned?
Has anyone looked at his records as a head coach?
Per Wikipedia:
16-20 @ Western Kentucky
24-25 @ South Florida
45-49 @ Oregon
Coached one bowl (Miami Beach Bowl) and lost.
Clint,
Not excited about Taggart at all but I think you need to check Willie’s record, especially at Oregon since he’s only been there half a season there’s no way he could be 45-49…. as I tell my students, don’t think of Wikipedia as a reliable source.
Brad, you’re right I should check further. I thought it looked strange because I was under the impression he hadn’t been there very long. My bad!
I’ll do some more research.
True that, Brad. Last week Wikipedia listed Date of Death for Mac as 28 Oct 17. I’m sure it has been changed now to a blank, but somebody obviously got in there for a while anyway. Not making this up!
He’s been at Oregon 1.5 seasons. Please check the numbers. Fake News.
David & Brad…
You’re right. I checked the Ducks web page and it reads better. Still not sure he’s the man, but I’ll definately look at more than wikipedia next time! 🙂
Willie Taggart Win / Loss record..
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/willie-taggart-1.html
Taggart would surely get the Gator fan base excited with his losing record! Get a grip Robbie!!
Taggart Coaching Record 8 Yrs Overall 45 wins vs 49 Losses
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/willie-taggart-1.html
Year School G W L T Pct SRS SOS AP Pre AP High AP Post Bowl Notes
2010 Western Kentucky 12 2 10 0 .167 -15.37 -6.04
2011 Western Kentucky 12 7 5 0 .583 -6.18 -6.43
2012 Western Kentucky 12 7 5 0 .583 -1.50 -3.73
2013 South Florida 12 2 10 0 .167 -13.56 -0.47
2014 South Florida 12 4 8 0 .333 -10.90 -2.73
2015 South Florida 13 8 5 0 .615 5.88 -0.74 Miami Beach Bowl-L
2016 South Florida 12 10 2 0 .833 7.83 -2.70 19 19 Birmingham Bowl-W
2017 Oregon 9 5 4 0 .556 4.89 2.00 24
8 Yrs Overall 94 45 49 0 .479 -3.61 -2.61 1-1
3 Yrs Western Kentucky 36 16 20 0 .444 -7.69 -5.40 0-0
4 Yrs South Florida 49 24 25 0 .490 -2.69 -1.66 1-1
1 Yr Oregon 9 5 4 0 .556 4.89 2.00 0-0
This prediction floors me. Really? This is a BAD Missouri team that had one decent half of football against Georgia.
FL- 28 MO- 17
You must have missed the Michigan, LSU, Texas A & M, Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky and Vanderbilt games. 7 messy games which we were lucky to win 3.
There is a reason Vegas has Missouri as the favorite.
Offense and Defense and Special Teams: LET IT RIP!!!!!!!!!
Ha !! And what did MAC say preseason? “Why doesn’t anyone give our offense credit?” He was outraged!,
Hey, when you lose to Bye Week, you sure as hell can’t expect to win this Saturday.
Taggert could be good and he could be McElwain. We need a proven winner. Taggert has one season with more than 8 wins. If you look at McElwain’s record pre-Florida it looks more impressive than Taggert. Same with Butch Jones. Taggert’s in a good place. Let Oregon figure out if he could coach a big time program, not us. We don’t have the luxury to whiff again.
Willie Taggart should not be the next Gator HBC, the guy has an over-all losing record as a HBC. His success at USF offensively can be related directly to the direction he got from Joe Kinnan, who worked as a offensive consultant at USF after leaving Manatee HS.. When USF started having success on offense, anyone that’s watched Joe’s offense at Manatee HS, could see the markings of Joe’s imprint all over the USF offense. Joe didn’t travel with Willie when he took the Oregon job, mark my words Willie will not enjoy success at Oregon!
I don’t think coach Shannon is quite as narcissistic as some of what we’ve had over the years, and he was the one guy at Miami that saw through and tried to fix the nevin shapiro thing that really hurt their program. he made progress turning around a mess, and I think hes inherited a bit of one here as well. Somewhere this man will get a fair chance. I’m not sure it will be UF, but its not like we don’t have a good coach for the rest of the season. If he wins out, which he may well do, weve got to think about giving him the job permanently, its going to be a lot easier financially with him as a choice, sorry for those enamored on more exciting choices.
quit mentioning Taggarts name…not a chance
Dooley are you insane? iF STRIKLIN HIRES TAGGART THEN THEY BOTH SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!!!
Meant Robbie!
Isn’t it strange that with all the close games the Gators have been in that Eddy Piniero hasn’t been a factor in any of them. I don’t count the missed extra point at LSU. The offense had a full quarter to get close enough to give him a shot at the game winner and couldn’t get it done.
FROSTBITE!!!!!!
Scott Frost is the ONLY logical candidate; the only one that makes us a serious contender right away. Believe it or not, my second choice is already at UF… I like Randy Shannon. Just needs a good offensive coordinator!