Take off your blue gear for a second.
While you’re at it, remove those orange-and-blue sunglasses that cloud your vision.
Urban Meyer and the Gators urged fans to come out in full force and dress like smurfs on Saturday, now it’s time that you demand something from them: some good football.
But that request could go unfulfilled for a couple of years.
Don’t think this UF squad is like the one from 2007 that lost four games but won a national championship in the following season — because it’s not.
That team had Tim Tebow. This one has John Brantley.
That team had a freshman Joe Haden. This one has Janoris Jenkins, who is likely to leave for the NFL after this season.
That team had Percy Harvin. This one has … Deonte Thompson?
The future of Florida football is not as bright as it is made out to be.
Unless the Gators manage a miracle-like breakthrough in the last three games of the year, they will enter next season with more question marks than answers.
The quarterback position that has accumulated 10 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season looks to have no solution in sight.
Brantley will likely be the team’s quarterback next season only because of a lack of depth at the position.
He has yet to prove anything in his first season at the helm. Although, that was a hell of a one-handed catch he made on his back against South Carolina.
And who will fill in for a depleted Gators defense?
UF will lose senior defensive tackles Lawrence Marsh, Brandon Antwine and Terron Sanders, and this season’s starting defensive ends, Justin Trattou and Duke Lemmens.
Safety Ahmad Black, the best player on the team, in my opinion, is the only member of Florida’s secondary who is guaranteed to be gone. But Jenkins could leave early for the NFL.
Starting outside linebackers A.J. Jones and Brandon Hicks are also playing in their last season as Gators.
Those are eight contributors on the UF defense definitely leaving, maybe nine if Jenkins decides to forgo his senior season.
And on offense, the Gators will lose four of their starting offensive linemen.
But the real problem is that all of the “skill players” are returning except for running back Emmanuel Moody.
The unit will feature most of the same receivers and backs who have contributed to this season’s stagnant offense.
It doesn’t help that next year’s schedule features SEC West matchups against Alabama and Auburn, and road games against LSU and South Carolina.
So blame the coaches, players, refs, or whoever else you can find to use as a scapegoat.
But the truth is that the Gators have begun a new chapter of football called the rebuilding era.
