Stunned and Shocked: Florida's Loss at Home to Ole Miss

Picture courtesy of the AP

Give Ole Miss credit: they were 22 point underdogs on the road, and they came in and played their asses off. They weren't scared or intimiated, and it showed early on. They faked a punt, pressured Tebow and sacked him three times, and remained aggressive throughout the entire game. When the passing game didn't work, Coach Houston Nutt went with the Wildhog, which kept Florida's defense off-balance long enough for Dexter McCluster to run for a 40 yard score--and give Ole Miss a 24-17 lead. When Florida's defense put the clamps on the Wildhog, Ole Miss went to the air as Jevan Snead connected with a wide open Shay Hodge for an 85 yard score late in the fourth quarter. Even as Florida marched right back down the field for a touchdown, Ole Miss blocked the PAT attempt, which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game. Tim Tebow would try to lead Florida down the field one last time to win the game, but Ole Miss was determined to prevail this day. On 4th and 1--usually an automatic first down for Tebow, the Rebels stuffed the Heisman winner for no gain.

So who's the blame for the loss? I suppose I could point the finger at the defense, which surrended 31 points. I suppose I could Major Wright; after all, it was his blown coverage that led to Shay Hodge waltzing untouched to the endzone on Snead's 85 yard pass. I could blame Offensive Coordinator Dan Mullen, who's inexplicable playcalling on Florida last four plays couldn't earn them the 10 yards they needed to continue the game (Really, Dan? Two deep passes, a good option pitch, and then a run play everyone expected?). But none of those it to blame here.

So, then who is? The offense. Yes, the same offense that saw Tebow pass for 319 yards, the same offense that saw Percy Harvin play the best game I've ever seen him play, the same offense that rolled up 450 yards of offense and 30 points. Why? Because they fumbled 5 times, losing 3 of them. Harvin fumbled three times by himself (losing one), and it was the first time in five games that Florida turned the ball over. Besides costing the Gators chances to score, the fumbles put the defense in bad positions to stop Ole Miss on offense. Despite it, they did an admirable job of containing the passing game--save his 85 yard bomb, Snead was a mere 8-19 for 100 yards, a touchdown, and an interception--and forced the Rebs to punt on their last possession which put Florida in position to win the game. It was ultimately the offensive line which failed to generate enough of a push to get Tebow one measly yard, and it was a lack of execution which prevented Florida from winning.

There's a lot of work to be done with this team; they have to be focused for every game--it was clear that they weren't prepared for such a fight during yesterday's game--and they have to protect the football better. In terms of Meyer's tenure, yesterday was certainly an aberration in this regard, but it should be nipped in the bud quickly lest other teams attempt to exploit it. Most importantly, though, Tebow has to be let loose early and often; the offense runs best when he's able to pass the ball, not when he's doing handoffs in an attempt to get the running game going. Get other guys like James, Cooper, Murphy, and Rainey involved as receivers, but let Tebow be Tebow. Instead, Florida sleepwalked through the first quarter and let Ole Miss believe they could win the game--which they ultimately did.

Hopefully, the team can take it's frustrations out on Arkansas when they travel to Fayetteville neck week.