whitey - It's easy to have a good record when you only play two or three games a year. Just ask Booby Bowden.

I'm with you guys in being glad Malzahn handed UCF the gift of leaving, and wondering what FSU gets out of the deal.

Considering Malzahn "fired himself" as chief play-caller mid-season and let the real OC take over that aspect, why would FSU want him as an OC and play-caller?

For Norvell, it takes a little heat and responsibility off him, but seems like a last-minute, flailing grab at straws to preserve his own job.

It does seem odd that Malzahn had a new job one day after UCF's last game. How long was that in the works, and how mentally checked out was Malzahn from UCF before it got to that point?

Frost and Heupel did indeed run faster offenses than Malzahn. Although they didn't play a Big-12 schedule, they put up good offensive numbers all season. Malzahn's high yardage and scoring statistics were padded by the early-season wins over patsy teams. By the time conference opponents reviewed early UCF game films and observed UCF running the ball 70% of the time and built game plans around it, it was pretty much over for UCF. UCF will never recruit an O-line capable of sustaining ground-and-pound dominance.

It seems to some extent like Malzahn lost control of the team or respect from the team around the midseason when FG kicker Colten Boomer opted for the transfer portal.

I think even Dillon Gabriel's departure (despite championship and NIL opportunities) was related to Malzahn's preference for the run. Frost and Heupel had QB playing experience and built solid passing teams where they coached. Malzahn's preference for the "dual threat" run/pass QB seems to require a compromise in both aspects. Brady, Brees, Rogers, Montana... champion QBs who never ran. McKenzie Milton: career-ending (realistically) running the ball. DG: Throwing lasers all over Oregon on his way to a championship.

I hope to see a more exciting, pass-happy, speedy brand of football in Orlando the next year or two. They'll never win this conference on the ground.

< end rant >


Edited: 12/05/2024 at 07:28 PM by CurtisEflush

Garcia, thats the heads up record against JUST USC. Your age is showing chief! I get all the hate.

Whitey - I think you miss my point. When you play a bunch of patsies in between the few tough teams on the schedule, you can practice for those teams and minimize injuries by pulling players against the patsies to avoid injuries. Just take a look at their schedule this year which is typical year in and year out -

Texas A&M (tough team)
No. Illinois (looked tough at the time, but ended up being a patsy at 7-5 and they still lost)
Purdue (patsy year in and year out)
Miami (OH) (patsy)
Louisville (moderately tough at 8-4, but in the ACC)
Stanford (patsy)
Georgia Tech (ACC patsy even though they gave UGA a tough game)
Navy (patsy)
Fla State (patsy)
Virginia (patsy)
Army (sort of tough this year, but usually a patsy)
USC (normally a tough team)

Do you see the pattern? Tough game, three patsies, tough-ish game, three patsies, tough-ish game. Booby Bowden sure did. That's why he joined the ACC.

UCF "How long was that in the works"

Methinks after the disastrous Colorado game. There were so much gross play calling and poor time management in that game. Gus's clock management was horrible in pretty much every game this year. Down two Tds and running the clock down under ten and a lot of delay-of-game calls were frustrating. For those who didn't watch the UCF games probably wouldn't understand. Gus Malzhan's offense went stagnant. Our Running Back, Rj Harvey almost broke 2000 yards this season. UCF offense was one dimensional with horrible Qb play. 4 Qb's played this year and the best one turned out to be the last. Then he went downhill after there was film on him. It was a mess. Glad we have change and Malzhan did UCF a huge favor of leaving on his own and UCF didn't have to pay the 12 million dollar buy out. I'm sure there is more behind the scenes but Gus won the press conferences but not the play on the field. Change is good, I hope Gus is successful at FSU. He is a good man, good recruiter, and probably needs less stress in his life as he is already a multi-millioner with Auburn's 21 million dollar buy out. End of the Gus Era....NEXT!

I can agree with that Garcia.