- Florida football lost 45-17 at Missouri, showing their weaknesses despite an early 4-0 record this season.
- Florida ranks as the 12th worst pass defense nationally, allowing 1,333 yards and a 64.7% completion rate this season.
- Teako Brown, a Gator national champion safety, wore No. 33 inspired by mentor advice and NCAA rules about jersey numbers.
The Front 9 comes at you after Florida’s football team laid a rotten egg in CoMo.
1. Yes, it was embarrassing. the Gators’ 45-17 loss at Missouri was exactly what Jon Sumrall warned us all about. If you aren’t humble, you’ll get humbled, right? If you get through Trinidad Chambliss and Byrum Brown, there is another excellent SEC quarterback right around the corner. If you think you have figured it all out, you will find out you have not. I kept telling people all week that 4-0 didn’t mean Florida was “back.” Except maybe they are back to what the stomach-churning last 15 seasons have been. New movie — “Back to the Recent Past.”
2. On the one hand, Florida’s pass rush is terribly inconsistent and on the other hand, the Gators don’t blitz a lot because their secondary is vulnerable. The Gators now rank as the 12th worst pass defense in the country. The country! Opponents — and this includes FAU and Campbell — have thrown for 1,333 yards against the Gators and completed 64.7 percent of their passes. You watched the game. It felt like Missouri’s defense had 12 guys on the field and Florida’s only had 10.
3. FOMO games of the week
This week is for football nerds and casual fans alike. There is one game Tuesday, two on Wednesday, four on Thursday and five on Friday. Then we get to the big ones on Saturday including Florida’s Homecoming game against South Carolina, Texas vs. Oklahoma, Georgia at Alabama and UCLA at Oregon. Whew.
4. Four questions with Gator national champion and two-time All-SEC safety Teako Brown
- Do you think you would have the Florida record for interceptions if you hadn’t missed all that time with an injury in 1996?
Brown: PD, you of all people know that I own the INT record, but I don’t hold the INT record. Reference the interception in the national championship game vs. Nebraska plus the one vs. FSU in the national championship game. Those land me at 16 . . . but due to previous NCAA rules omitting bowl stats I let Fred Weary keep the crown (with 15)! - Why did you choose No. 33?
Brown: Again, prior to NCAA rule changes, only one number was allowed per player. I wore No. 3 in high school and the great Travis McGriff wore 3 so my mentor Ben Hanks said, “It’s not what’s on you, it’s what’s in you. Make it your own 33.” I said, “Yes sir, Mr. Hanks.” Then two first-team All-SEC selections & 3 SEC titles & a natty made me love 33. - Better interception — the TD in the ’96 opener or picking off Peyton Manning?
Brown: The one vs. Nebraska in the natty made people ask who’s that kid?
The three interceptions and Coach (Steve) Spurrier issued the game ball in the spring game and reporters said #33 might have a future in the secondary. Then the INT pick 6 which was pick #2 in the opener made people try to pronounce my name Taco/Te-kio/Tico. Then, the Peyton Manning pick on the opening drive of the game in front of 100k fans & after the 4th down big hit (PBU) on Joey Kent, they called me Teako. All were connected! - How often do you show off your national championship ring?
Brown: In the past I wore it with honor any chance I could. I know the history of UF football and I’m proud to be a part of the team to win the very first football title in Florida’s history. But nowadays it’s old school conversation and it gives my kids something to aim for!
5. Five bad stats from Saturday
- 1.7, the rushing yards per attempt by Florida.
- 211, the rushing yards for Mizzou’s Jamal Roberts.
- 107th, the Florida defense’s rank against FBS foes.
- 8, the number of tackles for a loss UF suffered that were not sacks.
- 8, also the number of second-half Florida penalties.
6. It Just Means More Report
- Unbeaten – Alabama, Georgia, Texas.
- Undervalued – Kentucky, LSU, Tennessee.
- Underwhelming – Auburn, Vanderbilt, South Carolina.
7. Hot take of the week
Stop it. Stop campaigning for the Heisman. Whether you are Jadan Baugh and others doing the pose or Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith proclaiming himself the best player in the country Saturday, leave it to the voters without ticking them off. It used to be the sports information people sending out trinkets (or in the case of Ryan Leaf, an actual leaf) to encourage you to vote for their guy. Now, the players just do it themselves. And trust me, as a voter it hurts more than helps, especially when things go askew. I’m sure there are agents behind these players launching campaigns while we are still easing into this season like it was a hot bath but stop it. Week 10 is one thing. Week 5? You’re all better than that.
8. Tweet of the week
From radio personality Nate Kreckman on Colorado: “The Buffs have now scored 7, 13, and 7 points the last 3 games. Those are all Prime numbers.”
9. Remote drop of the week
A long time ago I read a book that later became a movie. It was called “The Firm” and the movie had a better ending than the book. I know you have all heard of it, but I wanted to pretend that it was an obscure art movie. It also spawned the media nickname for the University Athletic Association.