Media members react to Oklahoma's epic beatdown of Florida in Cotton Bowl
Wednesday night was not the Florida Gators’ night. They were without many of their top players on both sides of the ball. Oklahoma had most of its elite guys.
Heisman finalist Kyle Trask threw 3 first-quarter interceptions to spot the Sooners a 17-0 lead. Todd Grantham’s defense couldn’t stop anyone.
By the time the game mercifully ended, the Gators had lost 55-20, ending the season on a 3-game losing streak for an 8-4 final record.
So, what should we make of this finish from the Gators? Well, here were some of the media reactions to the blowout loss:
Do you want an overreaction – I don't care who opted out, this is a program changing type of loss because regardless of who is or who isn't out on the field, it changes the momentum going into the offseason and at the very least the perceived projection the team is going in.
— Mark Wheeler (@InsideTheGators) December 31, 2020
Florida had a nice season, winning the SEC East. But Florida also had some serious embarrassments:
"Pack The Swamp"
Thrown Shoe Game
This debacle— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) December 31, 2020
Halftime brawl/Darth Vader Mullen https://t.co/SY7WCTNNaT
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) December 31, 2020
One of the great aspects of expanding the #CFBPlayoff :
No more having to factor opt-outs or motivation in the outcome of a matchup of top-8 teams.
Looking forward to it.
— Matt Schick (@ESPN_Schick) December 31, 2020
Florida fans should be seriously pissed off. Not at the opt-outs so much as Dan Mullen. The lack of effort and preparation is appalling. His handling of the game hasn’t helped.
— Mark Passwaters (@mbpRivals) December 31, 2020
I don’t care how Trask played tonight. The guy had an unbelievable two-year run and played in a game he absolutely did not have to.
He will go down as one of the best QBs Florida has ever had and rightfully so.
— Derek Tyson (@DerekJTyson) December 31, 2020
#Gators have given up 600 yards for the second straight game, third time this season. Something gotta change on that side of the ball. What remains to be seen.
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) December 31, 2020
Unless I'm missing one, the last time the #Gators gave up 55 points: the Fiesta Bowl loss to Nebraska at the end of the 95 season
— Matt Baker (@MBakerTBTimes) December 31, 2020
Say what you want about the opt outs/motivation…Two facts exist coming from @CottonBowlGame.
1. Embarrassing effort from Florida. 8-4 season. Lost their last 3. Ruined a promising year. No moral victories.
2. Oklahoma is legit and their performance should come as no surprise.
— Greg McElroy (@GregMcElroy) December 31, 2020
Florida had some opt outs, but this isn’t a case of Florida “not wanting to be there.” The Gators just got their butts kicked.
— Barrett Sallee (@BarrettSallee) December 31, 2020
Obviously, not all is hopeless for the Gators moving forward. But, there are some big questions that need to be answered this offseason.
F*ck grantham
And f*ck mullen
I’ve heard UF fans talking up Emory Jones. He wasn’t bad. Not so accurate. But, I chalk that up to being young. That #2 Richardson though, now that fella has some serious potential. I think he’s your starter next year.
I hope so. Emory looks like one of those guys that will have to switch to WR if he wants to play at the next level. Richardson looks like a big time QB
I think you hit on it, ItsGreat7. Emory is to talented of a ball carrier to keep off the field.
I concur. Did you hear the Oklahoma fans chanting “SEC”? Dork Gator embarreassed the entire SEC.
That’s a shame.
It’s a shame that your lord and savior Kirby took a fat L to the same UF team that got demolished by an OU team with no defense
You have got to be a Florida fan… You’re doing nothing but defending them….
Nah I just hate these UGA fans that think they have a better program. UGA fans are the cockiest people .
It’s a shame that UT is a train wreck program and that it’s only going to get worse. Why would anyone want to coach at UT other than for a possible buyout when they get fired?
Not the same team. Just ask Dan Mullen.
The lack of discipline, poor tackling, dropped passes by open receivers. This reflects on the coaches, players, and team culture. This was bad and I am a Gator fan from way back. I don’t blame Trask, because they pretty much got back in it until they stopped playing in the 2nd Quarter.
Remember, we are SEC and at the top. But from the top, you can fall a long ways down. Not at all sure what is going to happen with Georgia tomorrow, not sure at all.
I think Georgia will be much better prepared tomorrow. They will be a few scored better than Cincinnati
Gators are in a serious downward spiral going into next yr. To make matters worse, there weren’t any young gm changing players who will be coming back. This yr likely goes down as a 1yr blip as far as the Gators winning the East.
Their best season in years ends at 8-4. Woof.
Demarcus Bowman
So they are LSU East?
They wish! They’d be coming off an undefeated title winning yr and have a roster full of elite young players (who made big plays this yr) being supplemented by yet another top 3 recruiting class this yr. But hey, keep being the idiot you are.
Well both programs are currently on probation with LSU looking at more to come…
I’m sure it will be a great time..
Didn’t know you worked for the NCAA and was in charge of who gets what probation.
One thing is certain, when it comes to breaking the rules and being probation, Alabama is tops.
The point was LSU has vastly superior young talent than UF and is bringing in much better talent this yr. Nothing to do with any fictional unknown probations.
So LSU is not currently on probation?
I know if it’s not on a Billboard you don’t believe it but you may want to ask someone that has a clue what’s LSU’s status..
The title of this story made me not even read it. I put more faith in anything King BullGump says over the media.
The last time we got beat this bad in a bowl we came back the next year and won a national title, But, they do need to kick Grantham off the island.
How did Trask do?
Trask threw 3 tds in the first quarter! Oh wait, that was three picks..
1) WR ran the wrong route leaving the ball just hanging in the air-not on Trask
2) Catchable ball deflected off a WRs hands-not on Trask
3) Hit as he threw-unlucky and pretty hard to blame Trask
He played when he didn’t even have to with a group he had basically zero chemistry with (clearly). This was not on him.
He threw 3 picks. 2 bad passes and 1 bad luck. Still, the record shows 3 picks. No excuses necessary.
I see a lot of venom for Grantham but Mullen must be made of Teflon. The entire team seemed not to care. Played flat and uninspired. That falls on the head coach.
The game went about as I expected. I will admit, I was hoping for Trask to have 3-4 TDs to help his draft stick. But I also was hoping for a 28-70 loss to ensure that Grantham gets the boot.
stock*
Trask could have opted out because of the draft and the large number of his teammates quitting, uh opting out. This will have a bigger negative impact on the future of bowl games than it will Trask. The morons in the media saying the opt out numbers dont matter makes me question why they have a job.