everyone would be excited to finally put a beatdown on Big Blue.  Same reason no one wanted to play UCF --afraid we'd lose. Our fan base has PTSD.

After seven long years of wandering around in the college football wilderness, the 2018 Gators have begun to restore our enthusiasm and sense of pride in the program.  Once again, we look forward to seeing our team play on fall Saturdays; and perhaps more telling, we're eager to watch the postgame shows and read the media recaps, which (for a welcome change) now include more favorable highlights and positive comments about our team than about our opponents.  That transformation didn't happen by accident, or because Dan Mullen sprinkled some kind of magic dust on their helmets.  It has taken a lot of long hours and hard work by players, coaches, and staff members who are determined to pull this program out of the mire of mediocrity.

I can't speak for others, but even when Muschamp and McElwain were winning SEC East titles and taking us to reputable bowls, I never felt very excited about the games.  We had previously attended every SEC Championship Game and every bowl game (including the four national championship games) in which the Gators played from the late 1980s through the Urban Meyer era; but since then, we simply weren't motivated to follow the team into the postseason.  Although we kept our season tickets and continued to make the drive to the Swamp, the experience of attending and watching games deteriorated from one of being a fun time with friends to one of shared frustration between bouts of sheer boredom -- and all too often, exasperated disappointment.  

We missed those lofty flights into rarefied football air that we were fortunate enough to enjoy during the Spurrier and Meyer eras.  And we missed the sense of pride we felt when the Gators were a feared and respected force, always "in the conversation."  But most of all, we missed the fun. 

While we're not yet reaching that altitude, I'm encouraged by, and grateful for, the atmospheric change we're feeling with this team and coaching staff.  So if there's any way I can make it happen, our crew is going to be there in Atlanta on December 29th to let this squad know that we appreciate and support them.  Here's hoping that a large orange-and-blue contingent will turn out to join us in sending the message:  The Gators are back!