42 Florida-Alabama questions, answered

During Florida Gators football games – especially exciting wins or devastating losses – the mentions pile up on the OnlyGators.com Twitter account (@onlygators) and there is simply not enough time to read and respond to all of the questions and comments.

An exceptionally large number of questions came through on during the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide‘s 42-21 demolition of the Gators, so I felt it was best to use this space to answer as many of the serious, rhetorical and inflammatory questions as possible.

Here are 42 different questions that were asked during or shortly after Saturday’s loss. This is just a sampling of the material in the @onlygators mention feed that afternoon.

Answers are in 140 characters are less – some serious, other sarcastic.

@pisanjoe (Joe Pisani) Looked that way to me. Why does it not get reviewed…oh wait, we’re in Bama.
Context: Junior wide receiver Latroy Pittman catching the ball with a toe inbounds.

With all plays reviewable by the referees, I was very surprised the replay official did not stop action and look at it. He was in.

@pisanjoe (Joe Pisani) What is the #Gators current 3rd down defensive stop percentage? Seems like we couldn’t stop Kentucky at all last week.

Florida is now ranked 96th nationally in third down defense, allowing 21-of-46 attempts to be converted (.457).

@doncalderone (Don Calderone) we don’t have a safety position coach?

Muschamp is the de facto safeties coach for the Gators.

@flgators1515 (Nathan Schultz) will Florida ever recruit a top QB ever again.

Redshirt junior Jeff Driskel, freshmen Treon Harris and Will Grier, and transfer Jacoby Brissett are/were all highly-rated quarterbacks.

@Mattybrooks1 (FatSweatyBulldog) Whos the back up? Can they put him in now

Harris, who likely would have struggled being thrown into the contest if he was not part of the original game plan. No-win situation.

@Joonas_K (Joonas) why does Driskel wait until he sees a receiver get open, he wont throw anticipating the receiver will get open

It is one major area in which he is appears to be deficient. He appears scared to make mistakes and won’t take chances like that.

@G8orNashinPrez (Daniel) is it ironic or insulting to play a song about Alabama played by a Florida band while beating Florida?

Not sure what you are referring to, but no popular song played during a game is “insulting.”

@kingneuro (Christopher King) horrible series. How good is the back up? B/c I am not sure if we can win with Jeff.

Plenty of questions about Driskel’s long-term winning potential, but also questions about whether Harris can do it.

HarpAmyStabler (Amy Stabler) so, from looking at the Gators today, do you think we’re bad or Kentucky has greatly improved?

Kentucky has definitely improved. It is too early to say how much. Need to see the Wildcats in some other SEC games. As for Florida, not good.

@tcpipman (Thomas From Lutz) did they red shirt him?
Context: Grier was not with the team on Saturday.

Grier had back spasms, according to Florida, and did not travel with the team. He is likely headed for a redshirt but not 100 percent yet.

@BFRANK_DUH (Brian Frank) when do we call for Treon

Many already want Harris to start. Replacing Driskel straight-up may be too much to ask, a two-QB system could be better for all involved.

@gatorgolfer (Pete Pace) That worked so well for us last year, where did the Roper high speed offense go? Oh yeah this is the SEC not the ACC.

Gators got away from tempo b/c the offense was not executing & defense could not get off field. Shorter possessions mean less time to rest.

@LukeMattern (Luke Mattern) can anyone please explain why they won’t take him out of the game? he’s the worst fl qb in probably the last 25 years?

Driskel was not removed late because there was nothing to be gained by throwing Harris in there. Hardly the worst in the last 25 years.

@Ralph_Seegobin (Ralph Seegobin) Had ~70 yards at that point? What makes one think we could go 50+ in <2 minutes?

Down seven with halftime approaching, with nearly two minutes and three timeouts, you cannot cower and give up a chance to score. Period.

@SnowboundBuc79 (Chuck Gruber) 300 yards of offense allowed in 1 quarter?!?! Has to be a record, and a dubious one at that.

UF does not have yardage-by-quarter records in its media guide, but I would imagine it is a record for most allowed in a quarter, yes.

@jeffrail2 (Jeff Edelman) where is the “new” offense?!? Same old stuff.

Despite denials otherwise, hard to believe Muschamp has completely given Kurt Roper the reins (Ex. three-straight runs).

@slerner21 (Scott Lerner) How many 3rd downs does the Gator D give up!

Florida allowed 12-of-16 to be converted inc. all six in the third quarter, seven-straight and four on a touchdown drive (incl. a 3rd and 23).

@MafZilla (Matt Mitchell) At what point do we try Harris?

The Gators should give Harris “second quarterback” duties at Tennessee. Do not see him starting outright unless season on verge of collapse.

@gatorDC03 (Dennis Campbell) sad when that is all you have to look forward to… How can a coaching staff not know how to play around our players???

There is only so much Florida could do. The secondary was abhorrent and QB play was atrocious. Roper has shown he knows how to use players.

@whostheboff (Michael Rotch) WTF has happened to this defense? Even w/ the injuries last yr they held pretty well.

The biggest problem is the secondary. The Gators lost four starters including a safety they did not expect to leave (Cody Riggs).

@brianjsmith (Brian J. Smith) Who holds the record?
Context: Redshirt senior WR Quinton Dunbar caught a pass for the 31st consecutive game.

Gators originally said Dunbar had the record a few games ago. Turns out that it’s actually Ike Hilliard at 35-straight games.

@Polo_club4sho (Sosa DaGr8) where’s my paper bag…

Florida is 2-1 with its loss to No. 3 Alabama. Driskel had the worst game of his entire career. There’s plenty of season left. Calm down.

@cdavidson5492 (Chase Davidson) can you use the power of public opinion to bench driskel?

I am powerless to make any changes to the Gators’ depth chart or keep my spoon out of cookie butter from Trader Joe’s.

@Joonas_K (Joonas) how does a QB regress every year for 4 years?

Driskel went 12-2 in 2012, an improvement from his shaky freshman year. He played three games in 2013. Had a very good second half vs. Kentucky.

@steck99 (Rob Stecklow) enough already with driskel.I have no idea why muschamp wants to go down with this guy.He’s had ample time.He’s simply bad.

If Driskel keeps playing like he did against Alabama, Muschamp will have to make a change – at the very least in hopes of saving his job.

@FLAkiteGATOR (Alex Ciasca) where do we donate to the fire muschamp airplane for the next home game?

Save your money. Banners and websites will make no difference. What happens on the field and behind the scenes is what matters.

@dkirsch78 (Dave Kirschbaum) you think they actually bench him?

I think Driskel will start at Tennessee.

@BFRANK_DUH (Brian Frank) is Treon an actual possibility? Or realistically Jeff needs to have another bad performance after the bye?

In order for Driskel to be benched for Harris, he will have to completely fold in another game. A loss to Tennessee could do it, too.

@jmm212 (John Mullin) wouldn’t mind a change at QB but it won’t matter with this defense, they’re dreadful. Not physical at all. 3rd and 23?? #Gators

Correct. The biggest problem right now – by far – is Florida’s secondary. Again, Driskel had a terrible game, but the secondary was even worse.

@gdhussey (gary hussey) We are now in the same league as Vandy – how embarassing for the University.

UF is struggling mightily. There’s no question about it. But that’s a major exaggeration.

@PBCCam (Cameron Casad) what are the chances he returns? Shouldn’t he have another year? #Driskel

The only scenario I see where Driskel leaves is if Muschamp or a new coach tell him matter-of-factly that he will not be the starter in 2015.

@DRJohnson022 (Drew Johnson) Losing at Bama isn’t embarrassing. Remember Meyer and his trips to Bama? Couldn’t even score one TD.

That’s true. Urban Meyer scored nine points in two games. Those were his worst seasons – 2005 and 2010 – and the Tide were great in 2010.

@Polo_club4sho (Sosa DaGr8) when is basketball season?

The exhibition game is six weeks away.

@danrachal (Dan Rachal) He’s still on the hot seat right?

Muschamp never left the hot seat. It’s getting hotter.

@thesamdakota (Sam Dakota) is that bad RT @onlygators: Florida #Gators coach Will Muschamp will fall to 4-13 against ranked opponents in his tenure at UF.

It’s awful.

@garneringrightideas (garneringrightideas) long will Foley put up with loses and empty seats?

It’s all coming to a head this season, in year four. Muschamp has plenty of games he can win to keep his job. Will he?

@mattbosang (matt bosang) how much longer can this clown be employed. Seriously?
You cannot expect athletic director Jeremy Foley to fire Muschamp for losing to Alabama. Tennessee? LSU and Georgia? Peace.

@JCBened (Ioannis Bened) off with his head! Can we just start over next week?

That’s a little drastic. It’s an off week, so Florida may be starting over in a number of areas, especially the secondary.

@CCG84 (Dan J) serious, do you think Jeff is just mentally insufficient?

I think it’s very tough to deal with three offensive coordinators and position coaches in four years. He has never been truly developed.

@Kerwin4two (Charlie Buchanan) my question: Is Mullen #1 on Foley’s list?

Ha. No. He’s 3-20 against ranked opponents, and I don’t care that it’s at Mississippi State.

@benlansford (Ben Lansford) let me ask this, is Chad Morris the answer?

Ha. No. Did you see the play-calling decisions made by Clemson against FSU? Plus, Foley will need to hire an experienced head coach.

@BEERBBQEMS (bryanhodges) Well if they’re so talented, why aren’t they winning? Even Muschamp knows they aren’t coaching well.

That he does.