Game on

[Falconfreak90]

Gator fan here. I just wanted to wish you all a warm welcome to Gainesville. If you have any questions, please let me know.

Hopefully, Isaac will miss Gainesville and be gone by the time kickoff rolls around.

So, tell me about BGSU! I already know a little, which I've written up here: http://www.the-back-alley.com/forum/con ... University

Please, if you have anything to add or think I've gotten something wrong, let me know.

Welcome Doc! Have to admit I have a soft spot for the Gators. My uncle worked for the U of F years ago and my aunt still lives in Gainesville. I remember some of the Charley Pell years...Give em hell Pell! Although Pell had major issues with the NCAA and was fired. I will be at the game with my aunt, a BG grad as well. I am a Florida fan except with week. LOL. LOVED it when UF destroyed osu in the BCS title game. You shut a hell of a lot of people up in Ohio, for a while at least.

I know you guys have a crazy good D and our O has a major challenge coming. Our D has every starter back this year so it should be more of a strenght. UF's kicker is a good one, maybe the best in the country. I feel BG has the chance to be VERY good this year...20+ starters back and summer camp has been the best in years. BTW, we have 12 players on the roster from the Sunshine State.

Cannot wait to get on that plane next Friday at noon, leaving Akron/Canton and flying into Orlando. I was able to take my boys to the Swamp one year when we were there for Spring Break and that stadium is awesome...love all the orange. Watch some of the spring practice as well.

I see UF has won 22 straight season openers? Would love to end that streak.

GO FALCONS!

[Falconfreak90]

I'm trying to get to Gainesville as our commitment that weekend has fallen through, does anyone have two tickets in or near the BG section!?

Niz! Hope to see you in Gville! Call the BG ticket office and see if they have any left? Otherwise, the UF ticket office still has tix as well.

Count me in the group that believe our Falcons can hang with Florida. There is a hunger and get after it attitude on this year's team...

GO FALCONS!!!!

[Falconfreak90]

I agree with transfer2BGSU, don't forget that Miami of Ohio went down there a few years ago and was leading in the second quarter and played Florida pretty darn close throughout. Granted, that was a Miami team that won the MAC that year, but BG certainly has a shot to win it this year. Wouldn't surprise me at all if BG sticks with Florida. Talking to BG players around campus and listening to various Clawson interviews, this is a team that believes in their ability to win. Nevertheless, the game should be close for AT LEAST a half.

That game was an absolute rock fight. Dysert threw 4 picks, 1 was a pick 6. Florida's other scoring drives...5 plays 21 yards TD, 2 plays 2 yards TD, 2 plays 75 yards TD, 5 plays 55 yards TD.

This game will be interesting...no Chris Rainey, no Jeff Demps, no clear cut QB, new offensive coordinator. I'm not picking BG to win but I don't expect Florida to roll. If BG can eliminates turnovers and doesn't give big special teams plays up, it'll stay close.

The UF D is gonna be a brick wall so we'll need to take advantage of everything we can. Defensively, I like our chances against the UF O. Special teams...BG has the edge in the punting game but Caleb Sturgis of UF is one of the best kickers in the nation. Doyt Perry always said "Any game could be won or lost". believe that and GO FALCONS!!!!

[The Niz]

What is/are the BG sections?

[gwright64]

I agree with transfer2BGSU, don't forget that Miami of Ohio went down there a few years ago and was leading in the second quarter and played Florida pretty darn close throughout. Granted, that was a Miami team that won the MAC that year, but BG certainly has a shot to win it this year. Wouldn't surprise me at all if BG sticks with Florida. Talking to BG players around campus and listening to various Clawson interviews, this is a team that believes in their ability to win. Nevertheless, the game should be close for AT LEAST a half.

Another Gator fan here. Yes, that game in 2010 was difficult to watch. As I recall, Florida had at least three bad snaps from center, one that lead directly to Miami's first field goal and a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. Miami was turnover prone as well...thank God.

I do not expect some huge blowout in our game at all, and am very curious to see how our offense will do with Pease as OC. Three different coordinators in three years is not good, but I do think Pease is an improvement over Wies. Time will tell. There will be a lot of pre-snap shifts and we are bound to have some issues with this in the first game, which will play to the Falcons' advantage. Frankly, our offense cannot be any worse than last year(I hope). A lot of the talk is about who the QB will be and who steps up at WR and RB, but it is our OL that is the key.... UF must improve here to have a shot at a decent season. Our D should be pretty good though...not Alabama good, but a good unit nonetheless.

gw

[Dayons_Den]

GW-

Looking forward to driving to Gainesville from Gamecock Country. Planning on hitting up The Swamp Bar for dinner Friday night- any other establishments on University Ave. we should definitely hit? As for Saturday, planning to tailgate in the Norman Hall field- what time would you say we need to be up and out there to stake a spot? I was hoping to arrive there around 9am. Any other tips or thoughts on Gainesville or the gameday tailgate experience? We are staying at the Hilton Conference Ctr on West side of Campus.

As far as your Gators- gotta respect your NASTY defense, but I am interested in what Muschamp's offensive approach will be. Will they be looking to run a balanced attack? I see he is going to be playing both QBs- is one more of a pocket QB while the other a scrambler? Do you think they'll stubbornly stick to their gameplan at all costs or switch to running it down our throats to wear us down?

[DocZaius]

Doc,

Looking forward to driving to Gainesville from Gamecock Country. Planning on hitting up The Swamp Bar for dinner Friday night- any other establishments on University Ave. we should definitely hit? As for Saturday, planning to tailgate in the Norman Hall field- what time would you say we need to be up and out there to stake a spot? I was hoping to arrive there around 9am. Any other tips or thoughts on Gainesville or the gameday tailgate experience? We are staying at the Hilton Conference Ctr on West side of Campus.

As far as your Gators- gotta respect your NASTY defense, but I am interested in what Muschamp's offensive approach will be. Will they be looking to run a balanced attack? Break in the QB with testing his aerial ability?

Sorry I missed that before. The Swamp is a pretty good place as far as drinks and dinner goes. You may also want to check out the Copper Monkey or the Salty Dog. Those are pretty close to the Swamp (both the stadium and the restaurant).

If you don't mind going a little further up University, my favorite was alway Durty Nelly's.

Norman Hall is far enough away from the stadium that you should be okay if you get there by 9. Earlier is better, though. I'd seriously cruise by on Friday night just to check it out. People have been known to bring their RVs to campus as early as the Wednesday before a big game.

As for the tailgate experience, drink early and drink often. They don't let you leave the stadium at halftime anymore to get liquored up. So you have to pre-game pretty hard.

As for UF's offense, I'll be happy with ANY improvement over last year, whether it's on the ground or in the air. The latest news is that both of our QBs will be playing, which I don't honestly take as a good sign for our passing game.

[gwright64]

GW-

Looking forward to driving to Gainesville from Gamecock Country. Planning on hitting up The Swamp Bar for dinner Friday night- any other establishments on University Ave. we should definitely hit? As for Saturday, planning to tailgate in the Norman Hall field- what time would you say we need to be up and out there to stake a spot? I was hoping to arrive there around 9am. Any other tips or thoughts on Gainesville or the gameday tailgate experience? We are staying at the Hilton Conference Ctr on West side of Campus.

As far as your Gators- gotta respect your NASTY defense, but I am interested in what Muschamp's offensive approach will be. Will they be looking to run a balanced attack? I see he is going to be playing both QBs- is one more of a pocket QB while the other a scrambler? Do you think they'll stubbornly stick to their gameplan at all costs or switch to running it down our throats to wear us down?

Dayons Den,

My suggestion would be to go to one of the various Gator boards and ask about the tailgating situation. I will not be up there this time, but usually when I go, I hang out at the Salty Dog Saloon on University avenue.

http://www.saltydogsaloon.com/

But go to places online like Mudlizards virtual swamp or the Swamp Gas forum at Gator Country and ask.

As far as our defense, it has the potential to be nasty.....we shall see. I should think the offensive game plan will look a lot like Boise State, but remember, Boise State ran the ball a lot as well. Driskel is more of a scrambler than Brissett, but Brissett shows a better pocket presence and is not exactly a statue back there. Driskel is the better all around athlete, but Brissett is perhaps a more natural passer, but the offense should not change much with a change of QB. Muschamp will do what he has to do to win the game.

It is interesting you mention "running it down our throats"....when was the last time UF did that to anybody? Tebow was our power runner in our run of championships. However, and this is predicated on how the OL improves, it is my opinion Florida could have a very good power running game with Gillislee as starting RB, followed by either Mack Brown or the one I am hearing good things about, Matt Jones, who has impressed in camp and imho will be a star for us...but still a true freshman so there you go. Our Fullback, Hunter Joyer will also see carries. I imagine our coaching staff will have a gameplan, but adjust as necessary and take what your defense gives us or that which they see you cannot defend. Just a guess though.

gw

[gwright64]

So enough about Florida. I have read the board a bit, went to some Bowling Green sites, but who is it that Florida should watch out for from the Falcons?

I am particularly interested in your Wrs. From my read, you lost a lot at that position.

I also read that your secondary will be pretty good.

I read you run some sort of 4-2-5 sytem on D?

Gates is good for returns right?

gw

[Falcon137]

BooBoo Gates is the top kickoff return man in the MAC, he is a weapon on special teams.

The offense is led by Matt Schilz, 3 year starter who threw for over 3,000 yards and 28 TDs last year. He has gotten better every year, I expect him to have an all MAC kind of year if he can get consistent receiver play.

Receiver is the biggest question mark on the team. Shaun Joplin is the only returning receiver who had a reception last year, after him it's a mystery. Most fans are excited about Je'Ron Stokes, a Michigan transfer who was a 4 star recruit out of Philly, I have been surprised he hasn't separated himself in camp, which is disappointing. TE Alex Bayer could be used more this year in the passing game, 6'4 250 with great hands.

Running back is the deepest position, although Jordan Hopgood will be suspended for this game. Anton Samuel is the starter he ran for 800+ yards in 9 games last year as a true freshman and was MAC freshman of the year. Behind him is Jamel Martin and Pitt transfer Andre Givens.

Defense does run a 4-2-5. Gates is also a pretty good safety who anchors a young but good group of DBs. The linebackers feature all MAC LB Dwayne Woods who is excellent in the middle. The line is anchored by Chris Jones who is probably the best interior linemen in the MAC. The rest of the group is a question mark.

I know Florida has QB questions but I'm sure the gameplan is to pound the ball, BG has been awful vs the run the past few years.

Anyone else have anything to add?

[gwright64]

Falcon137,

Thanks for that. Yes, your QB has experience and that will help your team a lot next Saturday. It will be a good test for our Db's for sure.

I think at first our game plan will be to run the offense with balance, not simply to pound the ball. It is a new offense for UF, and we will be making mistakes, and the key for the Falcons is to create turnovers and make us pay when we do, and trust me, we will. We will no doubt have multiple penalties for motion and such, and that will help your team. Look for the yellow hanky a lot during our game, mostly against UF.

gw

[Falconfreak90]

Falcon137 hit it well...I would add we have a great punter in Brian Schmiedibusch. He was 5th overall last year in the nation, as a SO, averaging over 45 yds a punt and hit an 81 yarder vs Idaho in the opener. If the Fla D forces BG into punting situations (and they will cuz they're that good of a D), I love the fact this kid can knock one 50+ at any time to change field positions. You have one of the best kickers in the nation in Sturgis while we still have 2 guys fighting fo the job in Steve Stein and Tyler Tate. Anthony Farinella, True FR, will handle kickoffs. I am very interested to see how he does in his first game...at the Swamp...in front of 90K...SEC team. Doesn't get any bigger, IMO.

Damn....can we just bypass the next week and get to the weekend? I gotta plane waiting in Akron for the Sunshine State. FALCON FOOTBALL RULES!

[Falcon Fanatic]

Eva Marie Sant and Tim Conway are also alums.

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