I don't think I've ever experienced a season where there has been at least a controversy each week, whether it be dangerously thin receivers, concussions, eye gouges, moral victories, narrow escapes, questioning of officials, etc. Certainly these things happen all the time, but I'm not so sure they've been discussed with the fervor of this season. Do you think it is the pressure to repeat, maintain #1, steam-roll everybody...? Or is it just the natural progression of things in this over-exposed,, need-to-know immediately society in which we find ourselves (compared to how it was in the 80's and 90's)? One thing's for sure, the pressure will all leave if we trip up! Otherwise, it looks like we might be in the barrel for for two more months. "Heavy lies the head that wears the crown!"

The joy of being #1. Everything that happens is amplified. The refs wasn't in our control, eye gouging is.

If we were unranked, only us, our rivals and the local media would care. See FSU.

I'm just happy to be "wearing the crown."

I think the real answer is a combination of all things you mention. More scrutiny due to: a) everything is photographed; and b) being on top.

The better we get, the natural hate of the top dog increases and, the cycle escalates.

Typical American media cycle:
"Wow aren't they great."
"They can't be all that."
"No wait, they're human."
"They really are not all we thought they were."
"They are VILE. They must fail!"
"We told you so!"

With any luck at all, we will be into next year before the last phase kicks in. In the meantime, let 'em eat cow pies!

This season needs an enema.

You would think that at 8-0 and a solid chance at 12-0 and a birth in the SECCG, it all would be a lot more fun. We all looked at the schedule 3 months ago, and felt pretty good about our chances of repeating, given our returning line-up. However, offensive struggles due to the loss of Harvin and Murphy and a change in coordinators, the Tebow consussion, the "eye gouge" incident (just mentioned on the Mike and Mike Show - everyone thinks the 1/2 game suspension is a joke), and a few has added a few wrinkles along the way. It all comes with the territory.

There is seemingly a ton of pressure. Winning three of four championships put you in a class all by yourself. A really special accomplishment, led by a "once in a generation" player. We all want to see it.

Although we have a ton of talent, no one knows what life will be like post-Tebow, so there is that uncertainty that feeds into this anticipation.

My hope is that it all brings the team together and keeps them focused. USC got cocky and overhyped in their lead up to the Texas game. It bit them in the ass. This adversity may be a blessing in disguise.

quote:

Originally posted by Nickel Beer Night:
just mentioned on the Mike and Mike Show - everyone thinks the 1/2 game suspension is a joke

I, in no way, condone the behavior of Spikes and think personally, it should have been a full game suspension. That said, I'm a fan and my opinion doesn't mean squat. The same can be said for Mike + Mike. They need something to talk about and this is on the checklist.

You will hear more about it than you care to versus Vandy and the following week versus SCarolina.

Please, make the madness stop!

As a seasoned Gator fan, I've felt less pressure this season than any I can recall. All the other factors you've mentioned are coming to bear Cover 2.

It wasn't that long ago that you had to wait until the Gator Report came out once a week in your local newspaper to get any information on the team. Now it's instantaneous and from so many sources. The news is sometimes real but usually imagined. All that is amplified by being #1 and everybody wanting to take you down and that's just the announcers and media.

I'm amazed that the team is able to stay so focused from crisis to crisis, a testament to Coach Meyer and his staff. I can see why many coaches keep their players semi-isolated throughout the season so they don't get caught up in the hysteria.

There is no pressure on me at all.

I prefer this "pressure" than that of say - Tennessee!

It must really suck for these Vol fans to have to be delusional to find something to be happy about.

I don't. We are number one.

Go Gators!

quote:

Originally posted by g8tr72:
I prefer this "pressure" than that of say - Tennessee!

It must really suck for these Vol fans to have to be delusional to find something to be happy about.

I don't. We are number one.

Go Gators!

How is there pressure on any fan? If a fan feels pressure, then they need to start re-evaluating their lives. No matter how good or bad your team is, there should be no pressure on the fans.

NickelBeerNight mentioned that Mike & Mike were talking about the Spikes incident this morning again. First of all, Charlie Cheeseburger II is such an ND homer that what he has to say about anything is college football is suspect.
Greenburg or whatever his name is actually said that 1/2 game suspension was fine.

Storybook seasons happen once in a blue moon. Most championships seasons are filled with bumps and grinds like this. If we bring home the hardware we won't even remember any of this. I can hardly remember the beer bottle hitting the TV screen at the end of the Ole Miss game last year.

quote:

Originally posted by mtn2top:
As a seasoned Gator fan, I've felt less pressure this season than any I can recall. All the other factors you've mentioned are coming to bear Cover 2.

It wasn't that long ago that you had to wait until the Gator Report came out once a week in your local newspaper to get any information on the team. Now it's instantaneous and from so many sources. The news is sometimes real but usually imagined. All that is amplified by being #1 and everybody wanting to take you down and that's just the announcers and media.

I'm amazed that the team is able to stay so focused from crisis to crisis, a testament to Coach Meyer and his staff. I can see why many coaches keep their players semi-isolated throughout the season so they don't get caught up in the hysteria.

Certainly agree with what you say and Triath's statement. I have to sit back and laugh at the hysteria you mention, as we fans are not really insturmental in any of the decisions that come from the aforementioned controversies. I do feel more compelled to stand up for my team and school, as there seems to be a growing legion of new Gator-haters or those who simply don't want #1 to remain in that position. A good problem to have I suppose. Better than the series of "next years" that we all used to be reduced to looking for. Still, I think there is a lot of self-imposed pressure among the fanbase.

This is a great thread. All good points. I wish all Gator fans would listen to Rivals Radio or any national college show. When you hear the pain in the voices of the Ohio State, Oklahoma, Michigan, Georgia, West Viginia, Nebraska (name a school) fans you would embrace the pressure that comes with being where we are. Yes everyone is going to be critical and take shots and want to see us fail. It is now time when we must get thicker Gator skin and not react and not get distracted. Lessor talented opponents will take cheap shots and try to get us to retaliate. Talking heads will spurt out all sorts of rumor and nonsense. The stakes are extrremely high and it is time to see if we are tough enough and worthy enough to get though this. And while some of you think fans play no part in this, i truly believe how we act and what we write on these boards does play a part and does add to the perception of pressure. Stay positive Gators. The outside world is just looking for us to fall.

I envy those Top rated teams in the pre-200 eras, when every shmo in the world wasn't given a platform(slightly hypocritical, I know ). It's become so annoying to even see sports. I'm anxiously awaiting the next Bin Laden tape, where he'll crucify Spikes and say "even I wouldn't do that".

The headlines in sports so far this season:

Week 1--Horrible opponent...what kind of scheduling is that?

Week 3--They didn't blow them out. What's wrong?

Week 4--Shouldn't have had Tebow in that late.

Week 5--Tebow shouldn't play. My cousin once had a concus......btw, Alabama is #1.

Week 6--Can't believe they played Tebow.

Week 7--OmG the officials. Conspiracy!

Week 8--OMG the officials are bad and UF is worse...btw, Alabama isn't so good. Texas!!!

Week 9--Solid game, but someone should castrate "Pokemon"...and then deport him.


Projections for next week:

A) Vandy gave 'em everything thet could handle. Texas/Alabama is #1.

B) Spikes shouldn't have played that one series in the 3rd. Disgrace.

C) Meyer eats Fruit Loops, when obviously the Cheerios version is much healthier. What is going on in Gainesville?

I do feel anxious before the game starts, but settle down by halftime. College football is my favorite sport, and the Gators my favorite team. Reevaluating that would do no good...

soflagator, funny list, but very true. And yes, as fans, we are under no pressure whatsoever. However, cover2's points:

quote:

I have to sit back and laugh at the hysteria you mention, as we fans are not really insturmental in any of the decisions that come from the aforementioned controversies. I do feel more compelled to stand up for my team and school, as there seems to be a growing legion of new Gator-haters or those who simply don't want #1 to remain in that position. A good problem to have I suppose . . . I think there is a lot of self-imposed pressure among the fanbase.

are well taken. Again, we're under no pressure, but you have to live here in GA (well, maybe everywhere) to understand the nonsense that goes on. For years, and I mean years, even to this day, I still get the crap from UGA alums and fans that we "have the best team that money can buy." Of course this dates back to the Pell days.

Heck, that's so long ago for me (age 54) that it seems like a lifetime ago. In that time I've gotten married (1982) to none other than the sister of a Dog starting DT, raised two boys ages 25 and 21, left the Army, worked for 5 different companies/firms in the IT industry in ATL and SAV (I've lived here 21 years), and have been a university prof in the Univ Sys of GA since 2002!!

Not only that, from a Gator point of view, we've been through Pell, Galen, a half season of Darnell, Steve, Zook, and now Urban, we've won 8 SEC titles and 3 NCs, and yet the GA folks STILL bring it up!!!

Listening to them, it's as if WE FANS/ALUMS paid the players during the Pell regime, as if WE FANS/ALUMS encouraged Brandon to poke Ealey's eye out (and maybe eat it too, for good measure) and recommended to Urban that he only suspend him for one half. As if we have anything to do with all of this, just because we are fans, or, as in my case, I look down and see my Gator ring that says "BA" on one side and "77" on the other.



So now they have something else to harp on for decades, esp. if we continue to them. And although we love the Gators and follow them with near-religious fervor, we have nothing to do with what transpires on or off the field with regard to our team. So yes, we are affected.

Last season DID seem to be more fun than this one.

Yes, the pressure is getting to me. And I'm glad it is. No pressure means there is no opportunity to do something great and difficult.

As long as they keep winning I'm happy. The rest of that crap is for the media and rival fans to complain about.

Actually, I am getting accustomed to the crapola that surrounds the pinnacle! Whatever the reasons for it, the "noise" from outside the system is a lot more welcome than "noise" within the system.

It has taken a while, but the longer we stay on top, the easier it gets for me to laugh at, and even ignore, the inane attacks from other fans. It becomes easier to recognize/remember that most of their complaints are obviously based in jealousy.

IMO part of the "pressure" we fans feel comes from the underlying notion that any criticism may (must?) be valid and we must defend our teams' position. This is a rightful product of many years as seeing ourselves as underdogs. Even in the Spurrier years, we were never considered The Best Team in College Football.

As we become more comfortable in the "alpha dog" role, those old notions of inferiority will naturally fade and we can become at ease in shrugging off unwarranted and hysterical critics. This year, that is beginning to happen for me....and it feels good!

It is a GREAT time to be a Gator! Enjoy it!

Do you remember how long the off season was? Take a breath and enjoy this season. Even if we lose the rest of our games before Atlanta, we will still be playing for a championship. I remember when we were trying to win our first one. Gator fans have become spoiled. We complain when the offense isn't executing to our level of expectations. I remember when an ugly win would be celebrated. Enjoy being a Gator Fan. It's so much more fun being a Gator Fan in enemy territory today than it was in the 80s. I remember when we used to say, "Wait until next year." Now, we get to hear the vol and dawg fans say that.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!!!

Some people don't know how to be winners.

Many writers and bloggers write total crap to attempt to justify their existence. Any problem the team may have is handled by, to me, some of the best people available so relax and enjoy.
It reminds me of a scene from the movie Parenthood. Kinda sums it up.

Link

I haven't really payed any attention to the Brandon Spikes stuff.

Gators are 8-0 and that is all that matters to me.

Going into the season, most Gators, myself included, were confident that the strength of this season's team would be the defense; and that this defense would be good enough to win a championship.

Yet no matter how good this defense played, the fact that we weren't blowing teams out by 30 or 40 points caused a lot of people to panic, and to doubt this team.

IMO, things have gone pretty much to script, a few ugly wins to be sure, and I, for one, would certainly like to have more points, but I have been a Gator fan long enough to appreciate the 10-point wins along with the 30-point wins.

When the offense struggles it is really nice to have a great defense behind them. And this defense, as predicted, has been the difference maker.

So where is the surprise, and what is the real problem here?

Nah, no pressure here. There isn't too much to be pressured by by sitting on the couch and watching the game