No one talks about the other guys.
No one is staying up late fretting about the incoming danger.
Why, that’s New Mexico State, a sacrificial lamb, that comes into the Swamp on Saturday, and the mention of the Aggies does not exactly cause sweat beads to form on the forehead. This isn’t a real football game for the Florida Gators. This is a show of force. A name-that-score sort of thing.
For the Florida Gators, all of the questions are internal. Who is going to play more, and better, at quarterback โ Treon Harris or Will Grier? Who are the playmakers going to be? Will Florida’s defense, behind Vernon Hargreaves and Antonio Morrison, be as dominant as advertised.
No one worries that New Mexico State has 10 starters back on defense. Heck, those starters only won two games last year in the Sun Belt. No one worries that running back Larry Rose III gained 1,102 yards for New Mexico State last year. No one talks about the Aggies’ new up-tempo offense.
After all, New Mexico State was the No. 126 team listed (of 128) at teamrankings.com. Then there is this: Can you ever picture a high-profile recruit saying “To heck with Florida. I”m going to New Mexico State!”
Later, perhaps against Tennessee, Florida fans will be concerned with the other team. For now, it’s all about the Gators and new coach Jim Elwain and margin of victory.
Think of it as a way to ease into the college school. This is the shallow end of the pool. A Florida fan gets to cheer, chomp and chatter about his team while it makes a muscle.
The real stuff comes later on.
