ChompTalk.com

Miami Gardens, FL – The Gators got a little more than what was advertised when they took the field on Monday night to face the Virginia Cavaliers in the Capital One Orange Bowl. Florida entered the game as a 15.5-point favorite and left the game with a 36-28 victory. Although many fans have voiced their displeasure at the outcome of the game, I think that is a direct result of the success that Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators have had over the last two seasons.

Two years ago, the fan base would have sold their firstborn children to have an offense that was capable of putting up 36 points in a game. They might have sold their second-born if they knew they could reach 549 yards of offense while playing in a New Year’s Six bowl game. The thing that seems to be getting brushed over by many of the Gator faithful is that Dan Mullen has this team moving rapidly toward being a member of the college football elite, once again.

In two year’s time, the Gators have gone from a 4-7 team to a team that has earned back-to-back NY6 Championships and a 21-5 record over that same time span. A ten win team became an eleven win team that is once again seated firmly in the top 10 to finish the season. More than this, the Gators find themselves in the top 10 in recruiting for the second year in a row. So what’s the point? Not every game is going to be a blowout. Sometimes, you get the very best your opponent has to offer but the Gators are now winning these games regularly. There has been vast improvement both in culture and in the on-field product since Dan Mullen has arrived.

Furthermore, I believe that we can become victims of our own expectations. Most people thought that Florida was going to come out slinging the ball around the yard and bludgeoning Virginia to death. Instead, what we got was a balanced Florida offense that produced 305 yards through the air and 244 yards on the ground. Although Kyle Trask appeared a little out of sorts, Lamical Perine put on full display, why he is one of the best running backs in the country and the offensive line grew up just a little bit.

Many will point to the “soft” coverage and claim that it is defensive coordinator, Todd Grantham’s fault that Virginia was able to remain in the contest. However, it was that coverage that made Virginia signal-caller, Bryce Perkins one dimensional. The leading rusher for the Wahoos managed a paltry 24 yards on 14 carries. Although he passed for 323 yards and four touchdowns, much of that production came in the form of 50/50 balls that the Cavaliers’ big receivers were able to bring down, often in circus fashion.

Even in the midst of the soft coverage, Florida made a living in the backfield. The Gators’ defensive front finished the game with three sacks and five tackles for loss. If not for the extreme athleticism of Bryce Perkins, this game would have been a blowout. He spent the entire night running for his life and extending plays, often making poor decisions that just happened to work out for the Cavaliers.

Now that this game is in the books, we begin the long wait until next season. Florida remains in contention for several high-value targets both on the recruiting trail and in the transfer portal. All of which will factor heavily into the future. Under Dan Mullen’s direction, they will look to build on what this year’s team has begun. So as we say goodbye to the 2019 football season and the departing Gators, we can look to the future with the hopeful anticipation of things to come.