Those guys do not look at all like their VS icons. Way cool to meet them.

As to the game, here are some Captain Obvious impressions:

I am not upset. We did not look terrible in person. Glimpses of what Mac's offense can do when the QB executes were self-evident. Our guy just couldn't do it consistently. He recocks causing late throws, panics under stress, and is not really elusive. But we knew all that. Besides, he was not on the punting team. Spotting Bama 16 points before it gained a single yard was predictably insurmountable. Still, we kept them concerned. We did not roll over.

We could not run against Bama. That concession was revealed by the pass-heavy game plan. Given that, our quilt of an offensive line did pretty well protecting the quarterback. Bama knew we were throwing and we did. Getting 260 or so yards in the air against them when they knew we would not run is pretty good. Running when they knew we would run, wasn't.

The failure to score from two yards out reminded me of three words I hoped Coach Mac learned last week--take the points! Nothing enthuses a defense that is losing confidence during a long drive more than a goal line stand. Interceptions, fumbles, and field goals are moral victories. Stopping an offense cold on four attempts inside the five yard-line is a manhood rush that motivates the entire team and its crowd. Our failure opened floodgates on what could have been a reasonably close game. 

The most striking difference between UF and Bama, besides the latter being exempted by the SEC from holding and illegal blocking rules, is tackling. Everyone playing for Alabama from the tight end to the kicker, can tackle. Properly. Our defenders, as good as they are, do not. Especially the defensive backs. They hit without wrapping up, or leave their feet when they do. Trying to hold on while being dragged is not a high percentage techinique for success.

Regardless, we made it there. Again. With the canning of Miles and Richt, no other SEC coach has won more division titles than Coach Mac except Saban. Malzahn is the only other league coach with even a single title. Results matter. Championships are good results, even minor ones, especially when few others are winning them.

I am not disheartened by getting clobbered by Alabama. Tonight was a drubbing in points, but we challenged the Tide often. We all read analyses here of our green roster of actual contributors. In Atlanta I saw them match up at times with the supposed best team in the country. And I saw Coach Mac's scheme give them fits when our quarterback played like he belonged in the SEC. Our new guys aren't transfers. I'm optimistic.

Besides, I have tickets for the NCAA football playoff game in Atlanta in four weeks. Curse me, but I'll be a Buckeye for the night if it is an OSU-Bama matchup. I want to see those Tide bastards lose in the Georgia Dome again before it is demolished next year.