Pat Dooley’s Back Nine (August 22nd)

The Back Nine comes at you with the three sweetest words in the English language – It’s Game Week. Not for Florida, of course, but for some other teams. The point is that we have college football this weekend.

 

10.   So, I guess the catchphrase this season for injured players is that they have “had a procedure.” Sounds kind of weird, but Billy Napier appears to be pretty honest about injuries without telling us what all of them are. He was very specific about Jack Miller and how long he expects to be out. And can you imagine a world where Florida is facing a drive to win the opening game and Kyle Engel, a former walk-on, has to take the snaps because of an Anthony Richardson injury? What a story that could be. Or not.

11.   But even with a quarterback situation that is a bit of a mess right now, Napier can’t pull back on what Richardson will do in the offense. You are trying to win games and while I wouldn’t go heavy on the designed quarterback runs anyway just because you have one established guy, you can’t stop him from getting hit. The injury to Miller might not matter at all in the Utah and Kentucky games. Remember that. But it might matter a lot. It’s going to be an interesting September, that is for sure.

12.  That Utah game is a sellout, but you can still get tickets. Which means it hasn’t been sold out. Whatever the semantics, that place is going to be on fire next Saturday night. If you are going to the game, let me remind you about a game in 2019 against Auburn. And how after the game and for weeks the Auburn coaches and players talked about the most incredible atmosphere they had played in and the influence it had on the game. That was the last time the No. 7 team in America came to the Swamp. It was still the most sustained noise ever in the stadium. That, my friends, is your assignment. Beat that day.

13.   I was just glancing at some stats and realized Florida only played two ranked teams last year – No. 1 Alabama and No. 1 Georgia. Which makes that team in 2021 that much more aggravating. It might be my least favorite team in Florida history.

14.   It was not unexpected that Keyontae Johnson ended up signing with Kansas State where it had been rumored for weeks he would end up. Florida was not going to let him play and several other teams came close but couldn’t pull the trigger (including Texas Tech). Even though he has been cleared, there is this fear that I think everyone has that it could happen again. That will make watching K-State the most difficult thing to do this year. You want to see Key playing again, but you will be doing so while biting down on your lip with the fear that there could be another episode. We wish him all of the best and pray for an incident free season.

15.  The good news for Billy Horschel is that he is in the Tour Championship, one of the 30 players to qualify. That bad news is that he is already trailing by nine shots because of the crazy way they do the final event of the FedEx Cup. Scottie Scheffler is at 10-under before he sticks a tee into the ground while Horschel is at 1-under. It is what it is, but it is good to see Adam Scott get in just because I love to watch him play. This has a chance to be a great weekend with college football, NFL exhibition games and the Tour Championship. I need a fridge in my sports room.

16.   Oh, I keep mentioning that there are college games, but I haven’t talked about them. So, I will give you my best bets right here, right now. There are only three games involving Power 5 teams that have spreads (no, Duquesne at FSU is without odds and an odd match-up to boot).

Give me Northwestern and the 13 points against Nebraska in Ireland. The Wildcats are an every other year team.

Give me Hawai’I giving 4.5 to Vandy. Just don’t trust the ‘Dores.

And give me Illinois minus 10 against Wyoming.

Let’s see how I do.

17.   Of course, betting with fake money is fun and I don’t like to gamble with real money. My friend Heath Cline texted me from Vegas that the odds on Jack Miller winning the Heisman are 80-1. Can you bet against something happening? No offense to Miller, but he is an injured back-up quarterback.

18.   Between a wonderful trip to the Panhandle and playing in Sara’s Birthday golf tournament, there was a lot of music coming at me over the past week. Here’s a playlist you will enjoy as a result:

* “Just a Little While” by the 502s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQL1s2I8y2k

* ”Dope Nose” by Green Day.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYqWEnnretY

* And for an old one in honor of the late Olivia Newton-John, “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. I was never a big fan but loved the unique quality of her voice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lR93L8sUMNg

 

About Pat Dooley

Check Also

Orange & Blue Sports Network

Catch the student-led broadcasts from the College of Journalism and Communications right here.

LIVE THREAD: National Signing Day

Here’s an updated thread of all the recruits who picked the Gator hat today! RB …

AFC Divisional Round Preview: Pittsburgh Steelers

During last weekend’s NFL Wild Card round, the Steelers made a statement by handing the Dolphins a …

Houston Looking For an Upset in Foxborough

The saying has always been “it’s hard to beat a good team twice,” and in …

Blue Jackets vs. Lightning Tonight

The Columbus Blue Jackets and the Tampa Bay Lightning will be facing each other once …

Possible Additions to McElwain’s Recruiting Class Visiting this Weekend

With National Signing Day less than three weeks away, the Gators are hosting several talented …

Florida Gymnastics Prepares for Season Opener

https://vimeo.com/198372157 GAINESVILLE, FL – The Florida Gator gymnastics team will kick off their season this …

Surprised Gators Promote Randy Shannon To Defensive Coordinator? You Shouldn’t Be

Florida’s head coach, Jim McElwain, announced Friday morning that Randy Shannon would be making the …

Quarterbacks in Spotlight for NFL Wild Card Weekend

The NFL Wild Card kicks off Saturday and the quarterback situations could not be any more different. On …

College Football Playoff Shakes Up Schedule

The College Football Playoff was a success in its first year. Yet, that doesn’t stop …

Michael Jordan Speaks out about Shootings, Police Officers

NBA great Michael Jordan opened up about his thoughts about shootings of African-Americans and the …

Treon Harris to Transfer

With the college football season approaching, the Florida Gators have announced that former starting QB …

USA Basketball Wins Second Exhibition Game

Just a few short days after their big win over Argentina, team USA won its …

Charlotte Is No Longer The Home Of The 2017 NBA All-Star Game

The House Bill 2 came between Charlotte, North Carolina and the 2017 All-Star Game. The …

Tampa Bay Rays Continue Series Against Oakland

The Tampa Bay Rays are continuing their three-game winning streak. The Rays defeated the Oakland …

MLB Preview Tonight

It’s summer time—the best time to go to a baseball game and experience the atmosphere. …

Braves Begin Series With Rockies

The Atlanta Braves (33-62) open up a four-game road series with the Rockies (43-51) tonight …

Marlins To Close Out Series With The Phillies

The Miami Marlins are in the middle of a crucial ten game span against NL East …

Rays Crush Rockies 11-3, Face A’s Next

In the midst of a terrible season that has seen the Tampa Bay Rays (37-57) …

American League Second Half Outlook

The second half of the baseball season is in full swing which translates to? Pennant races. Teams …

National League Evening Preview

Tonight is a busy night for the National League in the MLB. Starting with the …

Big 12 Looks To Expand

Following a Tuesday meeting between Big 12 presidents, Oklahoma president David Boren announced that the …

LSU Looks To Capitalize On Its Opportunity

The Louisiana State University Tigers will enter the 2016 college football season with high expectations, …

Muschamp Helps Close Out SEC Media Days 2016

It wasn’t Will Muschamps first SEC Media Days experience, but 2016 marked the first time …

Phil Mickelson Leads British Open After First Day

The 145th annual 2016 British Open is underway at Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. The …

Missouri’s Football Crisis: Rebuilding A Program

On the final day of SEC Media Days, Barry Odom took the stand as Missouri’s head …

Second Half Of MLB Season Begins

The All-Star Break is a good time for teams to rest up and reform themselves …

British Open Underway

The 145th Open Championship is already underway at the Royal Troon Golf Club in Scotland. Welcome …

Gainesville Girls Basketball Duo Shine In Win Vs. Trenton

The Gainesville High School Hurricanes girls basketball team provided a statement win, 67-33, against the …