Well, if anyone wanted evidence as to how badly Billy Napier has damaged the program, they got it Saturday night.  The Gators looked just as poorly coached as usual, as they essentially laid down in embarrassing fashion in a 31-11 loss at home.  It was 31-0 at halftime, the defense was easily pushed around as it played passively (again), and the offense was inefficient and ineffective (again).  Things got so bad that the television announcers sounded sorry for the program and it’s fans, wondering what has happened to the program.  Welcome to the Napier Error and it’s aftermath.

The Gator defense looked disinterested while playing a soft scheme, and appeared it was simply hoping for Tennessee to make mistakes instead of dictating the action.  The D-line was gashed by the running game, and the pass coverage looked lost and confused by simple crossing routes.  The return of DT Caleb Banks had zero impact, as he looked out of shape and far from game-ready.  DC Ron Roberts refused to load the box to stop the run, even after the Volunteers scored easily on their first 2 drives.  When Tennessee threw, they ran simple crossing routes time and again, and the LBs and safeties were incapable of covering them.  It was as basic a game plan you could get, and yet Florida had no answers.  There was no fire exhibited by the defense, and most of the players looked like they were just going through the motions.  Another lost season has obviously affected them mentally.  To add insult to injury, CB Cormani McClain suffered what looked like a nasty knee injury.

Florida’s offense was just as brutal.  After falling behind 7-0 on Tennessee’s opening drive, the offense actually made a big play on a nice catch and run by Jaden Baugh into Volunteer territory to get the players and crowd back into the game.  However……another penalty on the O-line called the play back, and it seemed to deflate the offense the rest of the half.  That just shows how fragile and soft the mentality of the team is right now, and another indictment of the poor culture and losing environment this coaching staff has subjected them to.  The playcalling was uninspiring as usual, as was the execution.  Baugh was a one-man gang, willing himself for extra yards on running plays, and scoring the only TD on a 4th quarter reception.  DJ Lagway was allowed to play the entire game for some reason, with no live reps (again) for any backups in case they are needed next week.  The lack of competence and professionalism from the offensive staff is mind-boggling, and they can’t be gone soon enough.

That’s 3 out of the last 4 matchups for Tennessee, and their first win in the Swamp since 2003.  The Billy Napier legacy continues to grow.  I wish I could conduct a deeper dive into what I hoped would be a competitive game, but that’s simply not the case.  It’s been a roller-coaster of efforts since Napier was fired – Georgia (good), Kentucky (terrible), Mississippi (good), Tennessee (bad).  I can only hope the pattern continues for the last game and that the Gators show some heart and play with pride.