Gator Gridiron Responds to Reader About the 2011 UF Football Team

Recently, a reader asked me what my thoughts are regarding the 2011 Gator Football Team. With new staff and a challenging schedule, can Gator fans expect the same excellence they've come to know year after year?

I want to share my response to him with my blog following as well.

I'm optimistic about the 2011 Gators. I hope Brantley does well, but I'm not all that confident.

On other fronts, I'm very confident. I think Muschamp was a good hire, plus he's an accomplished Defensive coach.

Weis was a great hire! He's been successful everywhere he's coached, even in high school. He knows how to mix run and pass; he's a great QB coach; and he brings that "down-the-field passing game" Gator fans crave. Weis also knows how to use talent he has. I predict Burton and Josh Reed TE will be utilized and will have big years. The same goes for DuBose, Omarious Hines, Frankie Hammond, Demps, Rainey, etc.

The Gator's defense is loaded, especially with D-Linemen! Plus Muschamp is a defensive guy.

This season promises a whole new atmosphere, a new fresh start. Meyer was a negative motivator and an extreme grinder. That obviously worked big time, I'm not knocking it or complaining, but he burned himself out and he burned everybody else out. He had a string of really good players in the dog house, like DuBose, who couldn't even get on the field.

Running back is loaded, WR is loaded. Defense is solid, at the least, new, positive, upbeat atmosphere. best OC in football.......this "Old School Gator" predicts 8-9 wins despite brutal schedule.

(Don't tell Coach Muschamp, but I think 6-6 or 7-5 would be a pretty good year.)