This is more like it.
This is the type of opener the Gators are used to: The kind where they can run up the score on the opposing team in a tune-up game. The kind where the final score means nothing unless it’s close. And the kind where, perhaps most importantly, previous failings can be forgotten in favor of an emphatic win.
Northern Colorado, which UF will play in its home opener this Saturday, presents an opportunity for that, having surrendered 336 yards to the College of Idaho Yotes in a 41-14 win this weekend. In short, it’s a given that the Gators should win this game. The Bears are an FCS team and an upset would be on par with Appalachian State-Michigan or Florida-Georgia Southern. Coach Jim McElwain knows this, and after the “whooping” the Gators took against Michigan on Saturday, he’s looking at it as a chance to start fresh.
“Sometimes when you go through whatever it is you do, it doesn't work out the way you want it,” he said. “You've got a choice to sit there and pout and cry about it or you've got a choice to sit there and go do something about it. I'm excited to get back on the field.”
On Monday, he echoed defensive lineman Jordan Sherit, who after the Michigan game said all the team’s goals are still attainable if it forgets about what happened and plays better the rest of the season. He’s probably right.
Of last season’s four playoff teams, three suffered losses in the regular season. Washington lost to USC, Ohio State lost to Penn State and eventual-champion Clemson lost to Pittsburgh. All those losses came later in the season than Florida’s loss against Michigan, and all three came against teams ranked lower than Michigan was on Saturday.
But with a schedule featuring No. 13 LSU, No. 3 Florida State, No. 15 Georgia and No. 25 Tennessee, the No. 17 Gators face a difficult task in achieving perfection. Unsurprisingly, though, its players are willing to give it a try.
“Coming up short hurts,” Sherit said Saturday. “But the only way you can look at it is to look forward.”
McElwain said something similar Monday, noting that some changes need to happen to truly leave the Michigan game behind. That starts on offense, where UF’s offensive line surrendered six sacks against the Wolverines. McElwain was critical of the group getting in third-and-long situations and not capitalizing on first down.
“That’s something I knew was going to give us trouble if that occurred,” he said, “and that sure as heck is what happened.”
Like Sherit, he said the best way to approach the failure is to learn from it and forget. He hopes the offensive line can do so before the Bears get to Gainesville.
He also said the coaching staff has to be better at play calling and getting more playmakers involved.
“We've got to make sure that things fit,” he said, “and we'll put a plan together this week."
If that new plan doesn’t work, he welcomed fans to blame him rather than offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier. He also welcomed “ire” after Saturday’s loss. But he’s trying to put it behind him and focus on what the team has left to play for. Which, for now, is still everything.
“These guys are disappointed now,” he said. “I mean, the loss hurt, and yet we've got a couple more games to play this year. To put all your eggs in that basket — which we didn't — I think is not the right thing.”
Defensive lineman Cece Jefferson agreed.
“This game’s over, “ he said. “We’re just ready for next week.”
You can follow Ethan Bauer on Twitter @ebaueri, and contact him at ebauer@alligator.org.
The Florida football team runs out onto the field during UF's 33-17 loss to Michigan on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
