David Wunderlich wrote the basis for this...

Camp is over and you have to get ready for game one...you hoped a QB woud take the starting job but no dice.  Mac and Nuss decide to go with Franks who has the best arm, but you just don't trust him to stay away from the turnovers. You think hmmm ...no problem we will lean on Scarlett and the o-line (that we think is improved) and prepare the game plan.   

3 days out damn...  no Scarlett.  Should we change it up?  Too much, not enough time...

The game starts and you get 5 on an end around and a PF tacks on 15 more.  You are at the 50 and you haven't had to do anything.  Hey remember the Spring game when Franks threw that nice pass...run that play again.  Bingo Franks connects again to Hammond and its 34 more yards.  Almost in the red zone.

Ok make sure you take advantage of the field position lets run one of our bread and butter plays.  Franks gets stepped on and as he is falling tries to toss it to Perine and it is almost a turnover.  I told you... I told you we can't trust this guy yet.  Ok, lets settle him down- call a run play.  Hurst runs through a Heggie cut block and flattens the ball carrier for a loss- third down and 15.

You call a pass.  Franks breaks the huddle slowely and looks confused, three other players stand right next to him. F...  timeout!

OK good lets just get the play right.  You give the freshman another chance with another play.  Ivey jumps- false start and a five yard penalty- F...!  Now its third and 20.  Geez run the frickin ball and send Eddy in there to get three points.

Second position... you start with a fake toss misdirection...hey nice call, but Michigan stays at home as Franks rolls and has to toss it away.  Ok good job freshman don't take a chance live for another play. Second down you call a quick screen to your best WR (wait UF always throws on second down after an incompletion). Problem here is Powell can't hold a block and the play gets 2 yards.

Third down and your senior running back can't pick up a blitz although you know Michigan does this and he should be ready. Sack.

I'm not seeing anything real conservative here, I just see UF screwing everything up. 

Third possession.  UF goes play action and has single coverage on the outside but Franks falls again. What the F...!  Dude you are killing us.  Ok will will pass again a quick screen to the slot receiver who is tackled by a DT because Heggie can not hold a block.  Repeat DT makes the play on a WR screen (well dude is a projected first round pick).  Third down... another pass play....Franks rolls right but has to reverse field and scrambles for a first down.  Total luck but you take it.

Franks is tired.  you call a run play.  The all-SEC RT gets thrown to the side like a rag doll but you get 2 yards. You call another run to set up a managable third down.  Problem your slot receiver was a QB in high school and blocks like one- he lets the CB run past him.  Third down you call a pass.  Franks has time and makes then right read but overthrows his receiver- close.

Still I would not call what has transpired so far as overly conservative.

When you get the ball again you are up 17-10 and just blocked a punt. No really you are winning.

You are in FG range already.  Your kicker is money.  Your QB has been a little shaky so far.  Now... you go conservative- two runs and a short throw don't get much.  Eddy pushes the kick.

Ok one final drive before the half.. Franks come out with a nice back shoulder throw for 31 yards!.  One run goes nowhere and another run goes for 8 yards.  Finally a third and short. Your big back breaks lose for a touchdown, but wait HOLDING.  3-13 and again UF calls a pass, Franks makes a good throw on the money but the CB breaks it up. 

When you get it again you are losing 17-23.

You still come out throwing...Franks goes deep into double coverage instead of short to single coverage- incomplete.  Still it backs Mich off a little a bit and a second down run gets 6 yards.  Third down you call another pass,  Franks drops back and takes off for the sticks as he reaches out for the yardage he drops the ball.  Yup he just dropped it- wasn't hit nobody put a hand on the ball he just dropped it.

Second half so far outscored 13-0 and you have turned it over twice.  It is 17-26.  Ok get the senior in there we need to calm things down.

Problem with Zaire UF has to go even more predictable, more one dimensional where they had done a decent job.  Mich seems to know what Zaire wants to do and he can't bail himself out with his arm.

Going with Zaire was the safe option. It has worked before when UF had a great defense to lean on.  This time it did not work.  The defense will not work miracles.

So there you go. If UF wants to play its best offense it will have to go with the guy who risks the most turnovers but who also has the highest upside.

It is possible the Mich game was just the worst they are going to play.  Playing a good team in week one at least showed them what they had.  The goal is to get ready for the new reality by Tenn game.