Familiarity Killed the Bulldogs: How Nine Years Made All the Difference

Embed from Getty Images

Between home field, an AP ranking, and those dang cowbells, Mississippi State had almost every perceived advantage over Florida. But in the end, the Bulldogs dropped a one-touchdown decision to the Gators.

Maybe Florida was more talented after all. Maybe it was the pre-game hugs from Megan Mullen. For all we know, the balmy 81 degree weather in Starkvegas was better suited for the boys from the Sunshine State.

But, I think Bop’s Custard put it best . “The Lateral Move” was the defining factor in Florida’s win and Mississippi State’s loss.

Dan Who?

Dan. Mullen.

Consider that in 2017, the Gators went 4-7 under the “direction” of Jim McElwain and then Randy Shannon. Feleipe Franks held onto the starting quarterback job out of necessity. About 30 players were inactive at one point due to suspensions and injuries. Put simply, the team was a mess.

But 2017 was quite different in Starkville. Mississippi State enjoyed yet another successful season, highlighted by nine wins. Two losses included down-to-the-wire decisions against Alabama and Ole Miss. Ole Miss, who capitalized on Nick Fitzgerald’s injury and took the win. Nick Fitzgerald, who was a Heisman contender for a period of time last season. Talk of ranked seasons and Heisman-caliber quarterbacks was all made possible by…

ROSES ARE RED
VIOLETS ARE BLUE
HIS NAME IS DAN W
THAT’S WHO pic.twitter.com/r3gZ2e85mj

— Rowdy Reptiles (@MBKRowdies) September 30, 2018

Once again, Dan. Mullen. An Urban Meyer apprentice who contributed to Florida’s most recent glory, then elevated Mississippi State to a level of competitiveness it had never achieved in the entire history of its program. So dramatic was the improvement, that the Bulldogs were able to win five bowl games in nine seasons under Dan Mullen. This may not impress the championship-seasoned tastes of Gator fans, but remember, Mississippi State only won seven bowl games in their 114 seasons prior to Mullen’s arrival.

Running into Your Ex

When Mullen took the Florida job, he called it a “dream.”

While gracious in his comments about his return to Starkvegas, Mullen didn’t exactly turn the other cheek after kickoff. The Gators brutally shut down Fitzgerald, who passed for less than 100 yards on  42% of completed passes (11/26). Remember, in Fitzgerald’s three games prior to Florida, he passed for 542 yards on 52% of completed passes. Included in those three games was a loss to Kentucky, where Fitz threw for 145 and a touchdown on the ground. He didn’t manage a single touchdown against the Gators.

Mullen molded Fitzgerald from a three-star recruit to one of the most tantalizing quarterbacks in the SEC. He knew what to expect and he let his players know. The delivery was all defense, but the knowledge behind it was all Mullen. And Fitzgerald knew it, too. Many of his teammates rushed to hug Mullen. He sat back.

“Did you get a chance to talk to Coach Mullen postgame?”

Nick Fitzgerald – “No” pic.twitter.com/4UTfgvVcCC

— Waverly McCarthy (@waverlymccarthy) September 30, 2018

And just for fun… Florida is 4-1. Also, Feleipe Franks has twelve passing touchdowns and 110 rushing yards. (We’ll revisit that later).

Say it with me now… Dan. Mullen.

The Case of the Running Quarterback(s)

Mullen runs a spread offense behind a guy who can chuck it and run it.  Nick Fitzgerald arrived at Mississippi State in 2015 as a dual-threat quarterback. Feleipe Franks arrived at Florida in 2016 as a pro-style QB.

Fitzgerald has 313 rushing yards and nine touchdowns (five running and four passing) through four games this season.  He is a true dual-threat. On the other hand, I think Franks has gone from no-threat to 1.5-threat under Mullen.

Yes, the aforementioned twelve touchdowns highlight his often-mentioned “cannon” for an arm. It is becoming easier to see why he was a four-star pro-style out of high school. But, those 110 rushing yards are a stark contrast from 2017 Feleipe, who ran for -4 yards through the first five games. (Not to mention, he only had nine passing touchdowns through all of last season).

-4 was also the amount of yards Franks ran for against Mississippi State. So, just like Mullen knew exactly how to shut down Fitzgerald, Joe Moorhead figured out how to shut down Franks on the run. But, Fitzgerald only picked up 32 rushing yards against the Gators.

Mullen deserves praise for playing up the strengths of all of his players. That’s why Franks was able to make an impact against the Bulldogs. Also, why Toney to Moral Stephens was the only touchdown of the night.

But, if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, right? It, meaning his love for a dual-threat. Maybe he will not be able to transform Feleipe Franks into a Fitz-type running QB. But, in college football, getting the job done is all that matters. And Franks is getting the job done as a passer and catching up to Mullen’s speed as a runner.

Secret Weapons

Watching film is one of the most important tools athletes use to prepare for a game. I’m sure the Bulldogs absorbed all they could about Franks, Scarlett, Polite, Reese… you know. But, Donovan Stiner and Shawn Davis? Kadarius Toney can throw and score in the SEC?

Something I am continuing to like about Mullen and Co. is the emphasis on guys who did not get as many opportunities under McElwain. At DBU-F, the usual suspects are on the front lines. But, what happens when Marco Wilson tears his ACL and Trey Dean gets ejected for targeting?

Enter a 3-star recruit whose career-high three tackles came against UAB last season. Sophomore Shawn Davis came into the fold against Mississippi State with some big hits that many might not have expected, including an important one on Fitzgerald.

Davis’ explosiveness probably threw Mississippi State off. But, he was also definitely a pleasant surprise for Gator fans, tying for second in overall grading.

Florida saw a big defensive performance on Saturday night, winning a hard-fought battle over Mississippi Statehttps://t.co/yO5lWS980U pic.twitter.com/gH4p0z7O51

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 30, 2018

Let’s go back to Stiner. Davis’ 3 stars put him just below 300 on 247. Stiner, another 3-star, barely cracked the top 800.

Stiner was probably overlooked by Mississippi State. But, going back to Mullen playing up the strengths of his players, he slammed down this sack and ended the game.

🚨🚨🚨On 4th and game, @GatorsFB safety Donovan Stiner DESTROYS Nick Fitzgerald with a sack to seal the UF WIN!!!🐊🔥 pic.twitter.com/HVunRhUXGD

— Bill Sikes (@realbsikes) September 30, 2018

Lastly, “put Toney at quarterback,” was a refrain for disgruntled fans in 2017. After all, he was a quarterback in high school. Plus, once given the chance, he hit a 50-yarder against Kentucky last season.

This trick play to Moral Stephens against the Bulldogs might make fans pipe up the “Toney under center” desires.

It’s a screen to Kadarius Toney… no, no it’s a double pass… and IT IS A TOUCHDOWN TO MORAL STEPHENS!

And the #Gators LEAD Mississippi State in Starkville! pic.twitter.com/pnIwRVgcCS

— InAllKindsOfWeather.com (@AllKindsWeather) September 30, 2018

Just to drive the point home, these Gators are versatile. Any player can get the ball and make a decent play. And that’s something Mississippi State seemed surprised to see.

A Whole Different Tiger to Tackle

Last Saturday, the Gators made Davis Wade Stadium Dan Mullen’s stadium. This Saturday, No. 5 LSU might make the Swamp their own for the second year in a row. Another Mullen Era installment is the team’s reluctance to celebrate wins for too long.

Start the week 0-0🐊 Lock-in 🔒

— |HUMBLE| (@kemoregamble15) September 30, 2018

The Tigers and Gators have gone back-and-forth with close wins for the past two years. The 4th-and-goal stop in Death Valley gave Florida the dub in 2016. In 2017, Eddy’s missed PAT gave the win to LSU.

Florida is going to need to lock in and play one of (if not the) best game of the season. But, it looks like the Gators have the attitude to make things happen.