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GAINESVILLE - They figured the time was right.
They assumed Tennessee might be vulnerable.
They hoped glory still might be within reach.
Essentially, they thought they were smarter.
They were wrong.
If you are inclined to dissect Florida's game - and perhaps extrapolate a season - this is where you begin.
With Gator coaches putting their heads together and coming up with a migraine in the final minute of Saturday's first half.
They had the lead. They had the ball. They had 52 seconds to kill. And they went into halftime trailing.
"Unbelievable," Florida coach Ron Zook said.
Yes, it was. It also was unforgettable and, were this a soccer team in the country of a despot, maybe unforgivable.
You want to begin with foolish? The Gators had a 3-0 lead and would get the ball to start the second half. They had to travel a great distance in a short time with an offense that jogs but is reluctant to sprint.
And that's not the worst of it.
The coaches could not settle on their level of aggression. They ran on first down from the 20. Then called a timeout. They passed incomplete on second down. Then decided to kill the clock.
Tennessee got the ball back with 16 seconds remaining and, three plays later, completed a Hail Mary in the end zone.
The game was never the same.
Time will tell if the same can be said for the 2003 season.
The shame is that this Florida team has potential. It beat up on Miami for three quarters and outplayed Tennessee for two. But the Gators make too many mistakes and an unsettling number come from the sideline.
Offensive coordinator Ed Zaunbrecher calls the plays, but Zook took responsibility for Saturday's last-minute fiasco. He said Tennessee's defense appeared tired and he wanted to take a shot at moving into field-goal range.
So why run up the middle on first down?
"I felt like they thought we were going to try to get points," Zook said. "A lot of times you'll see a play like that in that situation."
As explanations go, this sounded like Austin Powers matching wits with Dr. Evil. Don't do the smart thing because that's what they're expecting.
This, unfortunately, has been a recent theme around here. The Gators do try. My, how they try. But they might be trying too hard.
Particularly on offense. Specifically in Zaunbrecher's game plans. His offense is more cute than effective. It looks stylish, but practically requires error-free play. The strategy is built around multiple receivers running a variety of short routes. This might work for Bucs QB Brad Johnson, but it is a lot to ask of a college quarterback to complete that many passes.
There are times when you wonder if the Gators are trying to impress rather than attack.
Or had you forgotten the flea-flicker pass that ended Rex Grossman's career and finished off the Outback Bowl loss?
Instead of accepting the trick play was a stupid call at a stupid moment, Zaunbrecher opened this season with the same play against San Jose State. As if he were proving to us he really is a genius.
The jury still might be out on Zook, but you've got to believe the bailiff is looking for Zaunbrecher.
Already, some players are showing signs of annoyance.
"We just aren't running (downfield routes) yet. I don't know why," receiver Andre Caldwell said. "We're getting a little impatient."
When asked about the lack of a downfield passing attack, receiver Carlos Perez began to answer, then said he was better off not saying anything.
Florida is an offense without an identity. It does not try to overpower with run, nor does it attack deep with the pass. It's in between. The Gators throw a lot, but they do not go for the kill.
The final minute of the first half was typical. Joe Paterno would have simply run the clock out. Steve Spurrier would throw until he could throw no more. Zaunbrecher and Zook tried to do both.
"Times change, teams change, coaches change," UT coach Phil Fulmer said.
By now, we know this to be true.
Zook has lost seven times in his first 17 games as coach. Spurrier was in his 34th game before losing for the seventh time at Florida.
It is not fair to constantly compare Zook to Spurrier, but it is inevitable. And it is all the more glaring after games such as this.
"We're going to get to the point where everyone is happy," Zook said.
That still might happen this season.
Georgia already has a loss in the SEC East. Tennessee has a home game with Georgia sandwiched between road games against Auburn and Alabama. So it's not inconceivable Florida could win the division with one loss.
They only need to play it smart.