From Gatorsports.com:

With Thompson out Saturday, the Gators had no down-field passing game to speak of. That was partly due to Tennessee’s zone coverages and partly to conservative play-calling by UF.

Meyer said in retrospect, maybe he should have opened things up a little bit more in the offense. But he said the Vols were making no effort to win the game and there was no reason to take any unnecessary risks.

“I didn’t feel like they were going after the win,” Meyer said. “They wanted to shorten the game. I think that was the plan. There are 10 minutes to go and they’re not in a no-huddle. It’s 23-6 and no urgency (on UT’s part).

“The way we lose a game there is throw an interception. Why put yourself in that position. Let’s find a way to win the game. We’re not trying to impress the pollsters, we’re trying to win the game. A lot of it had to do with the way they were playing. It made our life a little easier.”

This is a very telling quote. Not only do we have a very savvy coaching staff, but Kiffin was coaching for the moral victory from the opening kickoff.

Think about the difference between our fanbases: even in the Zook years, Gator Nation expected to win every game. Can you remember a time you were glad just to avoid the blowout? No? Me neither. You win them all. That is the goal. There is no secondary goal. There are no warm-fuzzies in losing. Unless you’re Lane Kiffin, head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers.

23-13. Didn’t see that one coming, didja? A dinged-up Gators squad played a real football game against a very determined group of Vols, and wound up victorious. Tennessee brought a defensive effort, and rushing intensity, that should certainly ratchet up our level of respect for their game. And despite losing, Lane Kiffin’s SEC coaching debut served as an announcement that he will not be quite the pushover that Phil Fulmer became in his final years.

As emotional, irrational beings (a.k.a. fans) we wanted more. Total annihilation was desired. But what we want — and what we need — are two different things. We needed the victory, and we got it. Our boys are to be commended for getting the job done. Gator Nation thanks you, fellas.

Now that we’ve gotten through the congratulatory portion of the review, it’s time for the hand-wringing that inevitably accompanies a win earned in less-than-blowout fashion. The burning questions are:

1) Have we overestimated our Gators or was the attrition/illness throughout the team wreaking havoc with our ability to get stops and score points?
2) Why was the tackling so terrible?
3) Why can’t our receivers get open?
4) How badly did we miss Deonte Thompson in this game?
5) Have you ever seen so many Vol fans deliriously happy to lose by only ten points?

More on this later, after some reflection and analysis.

Lane Kiffin strikes again! This time the young rookie coach stepped in it, then smeared it around. Crowing about his recruiting victory (Nu’Keese Richardson), Kiffin commented to a public crowd that Florida head coach Urban Meyer had ‘cheated’ by calling Nu’Keese while he was on his official visit to Tennessee. “They cheated, and we still got him!” was the essence of Kiffin’s comment.

Well, there are two problems with going that route, Kiffykins: first, that’s not a violation of NCAA rules. Second, criticizing your fellow coaches in such a manner is against SEC rules.

Jeremy Foley acted swiftly, issuing the following statement:

“There was no rule violation and we have confirmed this with Southeastern Conference. It is obvious that Coach Kiffin doesn’t know that there is not a rule precluding phone contact with a prospect during an official visit on another campus during a contact period. His allegations are inappropriate, out of line and, most importantly, totally false.

It is completely unfair to Urban Meyer, our coaching staff, our football program and our institution. The appropriate action at this time in my opinion is for Coach Kiffin to make a public apology. His comments not only slandered our coach, but he violated SEC rules by publicly criticizing another coach and institution.”

So did Commissioner Mike Slive, who issued a public reprimand to Can’t-Keep-His-Mouth-Shut-Kiffin:

“Coach Kiffin has violated the Southeastern Conference Code of Ethics,” Slive said. “SEC Bylaw 10.5.1 clearly states that coaches and administrators shall refrain from directed public criticism of other member institutions, their staffs or players.”

“The phone call to which Coach Kiffin referred to in his public comments is not a violation of SEC or NCAA rules. We expect our coaches to have an understanding and knowledge of conference and NCAA rules.”

So do we fans. Kiffykins, talk less and WORK MORE. You have scaled to the highest heights of the obnoxio-meter in an astonishingly short time. Your predecessor, Phil Fulmer, may have lost his way in this game but at least he knew the rules, and more importantly knew when to speak and when to stay quiet. Here’s a hint: if your gums are flapping, you’re talking too much.

Best of luck in 2009. You’re going to need it, Big Talker.