One of the perceived issues with Florida during the Billy Napier Era was the amount of "juice" and energy on the sidelines. Outside of a handful of times, it just never felt like Napier was fully engaged, and his team often felt like a reflection of that.
Interim coach Billy Gonzales is still an unknown entity as a head coach, but based on what he said on Wednesday, Gator fans should see a newfound energy come this Saturday at the World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party.
Florida has a new look attitude under Billy Gonzales
During his SEC teleconference, Gonzales was asked what he liked most about his squad since he took over for Napier:
"I think their attitude, I think it's probably been the number one thing. We talk about having an opportunity to go out. They've shown a lot of renewed energy. Attitude's been fantastic, and again, just we've been kind of preaching to the team, making sure that we take ownership as a team, be a player-led team, and they've done a fantastic job coming back, preparing."
Now, astute observers of Napier press conferences will note that this was a common coach-speak he would proclaim. Napier frequently claimed a "great" week of practice, only for Florida to come out and look like they had never practiced.
But part of what makes it feel more believable coming from Gonzales is his own persona. Whether it's a placebo or not, Gonzales just feels more energetic than his predecessor and feels like a guy who he is going to demand more out of this squad.
And given that Florida doesn't seem to have anything meaningful to play for other than pride, it's been encouraging to see the Gators still feel like a squad that it believes it can go 5-0 in November.
Will they? The odds say no.
And could this narrative fall apart by the 2nd quarter against Georgia? 100%.
But it is better to have hope than despair, and if nothing else, Gator fans are walking into EverBank Stadium on Saturday with the hope of a new look squad with a renewed attitude we knew was possible all along.