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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 13:54:11 GMT -5
Muschamp says Gators are at full strength - Well, that's if you consider UF has lost 6 players, 4 starters to season ending injuries, leaving 77 ship players and while announcing Alex Anzalone is out of the LSU game with an ankle sprain. I guess we'll have a full travel roster (shaking head):
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 12:03 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 12:03 p.m.
The Florida secondary will be back to full strength for Saturday’s showdown against LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger and the Tigers’ potent passing game.
Muschamp announced Wednesday that starting cornerback Marcus Roberson will play Saturday after missing the past three games with a sprained knee.
“Marcus Roberson practiced his best practice (Tuesday) since he’s been back,” Muschamp said on the SEC coaches’ teleconference. “He’ll be full speed Saturday and ready to go.”
Muschamp said true freshman linebacker Jarrad Davis, a key player on special teams, will be available Saturday after cutting his cheek on the opening kickoff of the Arkansas game.
“Jarrad Davis is back at practice in non-contact,” Muschamp said. “He’ll be able to play.”
Muschamp said true freshman linebacker Alex Anzalone, also a starter on special teams, will miss Saturday’s game with a sprained ankle.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 14:42:11 GMT -5
Committed Recruits Update:
October 9th, 2013 09:57am
Commit of the week: ATH J.C. Jackson
by Zach Abolverdi
After putting up 298 all-purpose yards last week, J.C. Jackson came up big again for Immokalee Friday night.
Jackson finished with five receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns en route to a 67-7 drumming of Naples Golden Gate. He also made four tackles on defense.
Despite catching passes in just four of Immokalee’s six games this season, Jackson leads the team with 384 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 13 receptions. That’s an average of 30 yards per catch.
Jackson had his Under Armour All-American selection ceremony last week at his school. He will be one of four UF commits in the game on Jan. 2.
Here are some other UF pledges who performed well last week:
RB Dalvin Cook, Miami Central: Cook scored two rushing touchdowns in a 37-20 win over Homestead, but he rushed for just 60 yards. That, however, was by design. His coaches had him at defensive back covering receiver Ermon Lane for the game. Cook limited his fellow Florida commit to just three catches for 31 yards, and he also made an interception on a fade pass thrown to Lane in the end zone.
CB Duke Dawson, Cross City Dixie County: Dawson only recorded two tackles against Class 1A’s top-ranked school, Dixie County, but his coverage skills took away one side of the field and helped the Bears go to 4-0 on the season with a 30-12 victory. The win snapped a six-game losing streak to the Tigers and handed them their first regular-season loss in District 7 in two years.
CB Chris Lammons, Fort Lauderdale Plantation: Lammons rushed for a pair of touchdowns in a 56-14 win over Hollywood Hills.
QB Quincy Wilson, Fort Lauderdale University School: Wilson made an interception for the second week in a row, bringing his season total to five. The Suns defeated Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 56-0, their third consecutive shutout victory.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 16:51:59 GMT -5
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 4:46 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 4:46 p.m.
Watching tape Wednesday of the Florida-Arkansas game in preparation for South Carolina’s matchup with the Hogs on Saturday, Steve Spurrier could not help but notice the play of UF quarterback Tyler Murphy. And he was impressed.
Very impressed.
“Tyler is a very good player. He’s a dang good player,” said Spurrier, the former UF quarterback and coach. “His throwing motion is beautiful. He throws a nice, catchable ball and he can move around in the pocket. You’d never think the young man hadn’t played but, what, two or three games now?
“Obviously, he must have looked good in practice down there. He finally got his chance. Sometimes, that’s the way it works out, you get your chance and make the most of it.
“He’s a very good player. Watching Tyler, he throws the ball beautifully, and fundamentally, he’s very sound. And all their receivers are catching everything. He throws a very catchable ball. He’s a very good quarterback.”
Spurrier made his comments on the SEC coaches’ teleconference.
Following him on the call was UF coach Will Muschamp, who was asked what Murphy brings to the offense that injured former starter Jeff Driskel did not.
“I think we're just taking care of the football,” Muschamp said. “And Tyler's been a guy that's been able to create some off-rhythm plays for us. You look at again, defensively, that's very difficult to defend. We've improved ourselves as a scrambling team
“But we've improved ourselves throwing the football overall to start the year and we've continued to improve through the year, and I think that's what I've seen from Game 1 to now. We've taken steps forward in the passing game every week."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 19:57:32 GMT -5
From Gator Country:
The Gators take their second-ranked defense into the ever-hostile confines of commonly Death Valley to face 10th-ranked (AP) LSU Saturday at 3:30 p.m (CBS TV). Florida defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin met with the media Wednesday to discuss Florida’s upcoming matchup.
On LSU •The Tigers offense has had a surge in the passing game with new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron. Durkin still expects a physical running attack from the Tigers despite their newfound aerial attack. •Speaking about the LSU rushing attack, Durkin said that LSU’s ability to rotate four backs keeps them fresh throughout the game and that is the biggest hurdle the team will face against the run.
The challenge is you’ve got a fresh guy in there running the ball and you’ve got to wrap him up and tackle.” •Quarterback Zach Mettenberger has already surpassed his touchdown total from last season in just five games (15 this year; 12 last). Durkin sees a veteran quarterback who is commanding the offense and is very comfortable in the offensive scheme.
He’s been quick on his reads. His eyes are where they need to be and he’s delivering the ball. Guy has got a really talented arm, strong arm, and he can make all the throws. He’s playing with a lot of confidence.” •Durkin has stressed the importance of getting to the quarterback, putting pressure on and hitting him all season but it will be especially important early on in the game to get to a quarterback who is playing with a lot of confidence. •For the most part, the Gator defense has started games slowly this season. Durkin explained why today.
Some of it with our guys being so amped up early sometimes, our eyes aren’t where we need to be right away or focused where they need to be and it’s kinda like, ‘Get that hit under you and settle down a little bit.’ We’ve talked a bunch about that. Teams are doing new things to us early on, too. They’re scheming things up and showing us different looks, and that’s part of it, too.
Personal Foul Penalties •The Gators were hit with four personal fouls in the second half against Arkansas. Durkin said there is a difference between an aggressive penalty and a dumb one and the staff handles each differently.
Aggressive penalties we can handle, we can take. For lack of a better term, dumb penalties, penalties that are totally avoidable those are the ones we can’t have and need to correct, and we deal with pretty matter-of-factly and harshly. Some of those in that game those were close calls. Our guys we definitely don’t want to slow them down. We want them playing aggressive.” •Durkin said that all four of the penalties against the defense were aggressive penalties and he believes the players were just being aggressive and trying to make a play.
Defensive Notes and Quick Hitters •Dominique Easley has been around the team a lot. Durkin reported that Easley’s spirits are back and has confidence that Easley will bounce back from his injury. •Will Muschamp said on the SEC teleconference that Marcus Roberson would be “full-go” this week but Durkin would only say that Roberson continues to rehab and is getting “better and better.” •Durkin also wouldn’t say if Roberson would return to his starting role if he is in fact healthy and available this week. •The staff has spoken to the team about what to expect this Saturday playing in such a hostile environment. •Durkin spoke about all of the defensive tackles that have filled in for Dominique Easley but he singled out one of them.
Those guys have played well. I think you look at a guy like Darious Cummings. He’s gotten more snaps now, and he’s played really well. I think he’s been a really productive guy. He’s had a couple of really good games in a row for us.” •Durkin said that “it’s possible” that Jay-nard Bostwick will redshirt but that he would also be the first freshman to see playing time if the team needed someone at tackle. •Antonio Morrison has been getting heckled some when the Gators hit the road. Durkin said that it’s something the coaching staff prepared him for before the season began.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 20:36:58 GMT -5
Bruce Feldman
CBS Sports
Senior College Football Columnist
Top 10: Most pleasant surprises of 2013 October 9, 2013 2:38 pm ET
As we get closer to the midseason mark, it's a good time to spotlight some of the bigger surprises of 2013.
1. Tyler Murphy, Florida, QB: Forced into action three weeks ago against Tennessee after Jeff Driskel went down with a season-ending injury, the QB once ranked as a "two-star" recruit and the nation's 148th best wide receiver prospect in the country has been a godsend to the Gators. Murphy's completing over 75 percent of his passes and has a 5-1 TD-INT ratio. The 6-2, 210-pounder's also run for two more TDs and has had a carry of at least 15 yards in each of the three games he's played. Another telling stat: Murphy's averaging a robust 9.82 yards per attempt. That's more than three yards per attempt more than Driskel did in 2012.
2. Tulane: Curtis Johnson's sparked the Green Wave's best start in 15 years. Tulane's also 2-0 in Conference USA play, the first time that's happened in six seasons. It seems like a safe bet that the Green Wave surpasses the four-win barrier for the first time since 2004.
3. Texas Tech defense: People knew all about Kliff Kingsbury's offensive rep but he also made a few shrewd moves bringing in Matt Wallerstedt and his old pal Mike Smith to handle the Red Raiders D. Granted, Tech hasn't exactly faced anything close to Baylor yet, but still it is impressive that its defense has gone from allowing 32 ppg down to under 14. The Red Raiders, who under Tommy Tuberville gave up 50+ points in four of their final seven games of 2012, haven't allowed more than 23 yet
4. Zach Mettenberger, LSU, QB: No one's ever questioned the big QB's arm, but his focus and consistency had been a concern . . . till this season. New Tiger OC Cam Cameron has done wonders with LSU's offense and with Mettenberger especially. The 6-5, 230-pound senior's completion percentage is up almost 10 percent (up to 68 percent) and his TD-INT ratio is a sterling 15-2 up from 12-7 last year. In addition, his yards per attempt has jumped from 7.4 to 11.1. The one-time UGA QB is fourth in the country in passing efficiency, ahead of Johnny Manziel, Tajh Boyd, Aaron Murray and Marcus Mariota. Better still, LSU's scoring average has gone from 29.8 to 45.5 points per game this fall.
5. Arizona defense: It's no shock to see Michigan State, Alabama and Florida among the nation's stingiest defenses, but Arizona? In 2012, the Cats were No. 102 in scoring defense. This season, with more time in DC Jeff Casteel's 3-3-5 system, Zona's up to No. 9 in the nation, allowing just 14.3 ppg.
6. Missouri: Start with QB James Franklin, who is healthy again and been very sharp. The 5-0 Tigers are averaging 47 ppg, up three TDs from last year. They're also coming off a nice SEC road win at Vandy last week, which enabled them to match 2012's win total by early October. Now the schedule gets much tougher, starting with a road trip to No. 7 Georgia, the first of three consecutive top 20 opponents. Michael Sam who had only 7 TFLs in 2012, already has 10 in five games to spark an improved defense that has become much more ferocious despite the loss of first-round D-lineman Sheldon Richardson.
“Michael Sam's crazy right now,” linebacker Donovan Bonner told Dave Matter. “He's a madman.”
7. Andre Williams, Boston College, RB: The nation's top rusher is averaging 154 yards per game up from 65 yards per game as new coach Steve Addazio has cranked up the toughness in the Eagles game.
8. UNLV: The Rebels, who didn't win more than two games in any of Bobby Hauck's first three seasons at UNLV, are 3-2 and on a three-game winning streak. They did get blown out in their two games against teams from AQ conferences, but at least they're winning some games, and with a visit from winless Hawaii up next, a 4-2 start looks likely. Senior QB Caleb Herring, 10th in the nation in passing efficiency, has thrown eight TDs and no picks.
9. John O'Korn, Houston, QB: Tony Levine had a rough debut season last year with the Cougars, and things didn't get any easier when he lost star RB Charles Sims, who would've been the American's top running back, on the eve of this season. Sims bailed on UH, and veteran QB David PIland had to retire due to concussions, but true freshman O'Korn, a 6-4, 205-pounder from Fort Lauderdale, has been a revelation, throwing 10 TDs against just one INT while also displaying some decent wheels in piloting a talented but young crew of receivers. Houston's also gone from No. 82 in turnover margin to No. 1.
10. Shaquil Barrett, Colorado State, OLB: The 6-2, 250-pounder ended up as a Ram after Nebraska-Omaha disbanded its program two seasons ago. In his first two seasons with CSU, Barrett, a former prep wrestling standout and National Honor Society member, had 12 TFLs. He's already surpassed that this fall with 12.5, which leads the nation, along with 6.5 sacks and 39 tackles in five games.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 20:55:27 GMT -5
It's official, LSU's offense can't be stopped:
Stopping LSU's offense isn't so simple
October, 9, 2013
9:00 AM ET
By Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
It's easy to look at LSU's success offensively this season and believe that Cam Cameron has the Midas touch. The night-and-day difference has been that startling. The eye-popping numbers -- 488.7 yards per game, 45.5 points per game -- are leaps and bounds better than they've been in years past.
But truth be told, Cameron walked into the perfect situation when he was signed on as LSU's offensive coordinator in February. He didn't have to overhaul anything. He didn't arrive in Baton Rouge twirling a magic wand in one hand and a spellbook of plays in another. The parts were already in place. He just had to get them running efficiently. Les Miles would have told you so if you'd only asked. LSU's often eccentric head coach would have you believe he envisioned this kind of turnaround when he hired Cameron.
"I felt like it was just exactly the right pieces or factors to come together," Miles told reporters on Monday. "You have a veteran quarterback that can really throw it. You have a veteran receiving corps that can really run routes and receive the ball. Yeah, I really did [see it coming]. I don't underestimate our offense, nor do I underestimate Cam."
Whether you believe Miles' premonition is one thing. But understanding the root of LSU's offensive turnaround is cut and dried. What it comes down to is simple: balance. Cameron didn't bring an innovative scheme or better personnel with him, he simply unpacked his bags and used what was already there more effectively than his predecessors. His deft touch was golden, but not glaringly so.
LSU's scheme, as best summed up by its leading receiver, is downright elementary. It's old school in that it operates mostly under center and uses two or more running backs 72 percent of the time.
"You know, you can't run without passing and you can't pass without running," Odell Beckham Jr. said after LSU thumped Mississippi State 59-26 this past weekend. "We have great running backs in the backfield, and that's a threat. They have to respect that. If they load the box up we're going to throw the ball and then if they back off a little bit we're going to break big runs."
If Beckham's explanation seemed coy, it wasn't meant to be. Stopping LSU's offense isn't as simple as stopping the run or the pass. You can't blitz your way out of it or scheme against any one player in particular. As a defensive coordinator, you're basically left to hope for the best.
You can't double-team Beckham. If you do, Jarvis Landry will get you. The two receivers are first and second in receptions per game in the SEC. Beckham leads the country in all-purpose yards while Landry is tied for fourth in touchdown receptions. You can try playing off coverage and they'll burn you just the same. Mississippi State tried, playing 6 and 7 yards off of Beckham all night, and he still managed 179 yards and two touchdowns.
You can try playing two safeties back and shading them toward Beckham and Landry for help over the top, but that won't work either. If you leave only seven in the box, you're likely to regret it. With LSU's stable of running backs, they'll make you pay. Jeremy Hill, a 235-pound bowling ball of power and quickness, is second nationally with nine rushing touchdowns. When he leaves the game, Alfred Blue comes on, averaging 5 yards or more on 51.4 percent of his carries.
If you do everything right and somehow double-cover Beckham and Landry and stop the run, then you're still left with the matter of Zach Mettenberger. There might be no bigger turnaround in college football than LSU's senior quarterback. Mettenberger, thanks to the tutelage of Cameron, is first in the SEC and fifth nationally in raw QBR (86.7).
Mettenberger is fitting balls into windows that make scouts blush. The "oohs" from three pro scouts sitting next to me were audible even over the clanging of thousands of cowbells in Starkville, Miss., on Saturday night. You can do everything right and he'll still get you. The Bulldogs' defense played well and he still managed to complete a ridiculous 25 of 29 passes for 340 yards, defying blanket coverage and pass-rushers nipping at his heels.
STRENGTH VS. STRENGTH
Saturday offers a compelling matchup of strength versus strength as LSU's new and improved offense takes on Florida's stingy defense. Here's where each side ranks in FBS:
LSU Off. UF Def.
Yards per play 8th 2nd Scoring 9th T-4th QBR 5th 1st 3rd Down Conv T-3rd 2nd
"When you play LSU you have to prepare for the run," Mettenberger said matter-of-factly. "[Mississippi State] came out hyped and they did a really good job executing their run defense. But again that left holes in the secondary and we were able to execute and really soften them up for the run game."
Even LSU defensive tackle Ego Ferguson had to laugh.
"I told Coach Cam, 'What did you do that for?'" said Ferguson on LSU hanging 59 points and 563 yards of offense. "It was a great game, man. I've never seen an offense like that before. Zach Mettenberger is playing great. I call him old Drew Bledsoe."
And like those old Patriots teams, the theory on offense is balance. LSU doesn't run to set up the pass and it doesn't pass to set up the run. Cameron isn't using a gimmicky scheme. Instead, defenses make a choice: Would you like Hill and Blue to beat you, or Mettenberger, Beckham and Landry?
Pick your poison.
Florida will have to when it travels to Baton Rouge on Saturday. The 17th-ranked Gators have allowed the lowest Total QBR (13.0) of any defense and the second fewest rushing yards per game (65.0).
"They’re going to get movement in the run game, they do a nice job in protection, but again, balance is the word you’re looking for," Florida coach Will Muschamp said. "You have to try and make this a one-dimensional game as best you can and understand they’re very effective at throwing the football, and that’s where they’ve hurt some people."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 9, 2013 21:41:02 GMT -5
Getting Marcus Roberson back at CB is a big deal. UF gets to rotate 3 NFL quality CBs, Roberson/Purifoy/Hargreaves, in one on one coverage with Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry. The Gator D can concentrate on shutting down the LSU running game and then take on Beckham, Landry, the TE or FB, and the RB out of the backfield. Ronald Powell, Antonio Morrison, and Michael Taylor all cover well in the LBer positions as well. Our safeties have to help the CBs, play the running attack until it's shutdown, and stay deeper than the deepest on pass plays. With this defense, it may not matter how good the LSU offense has been against everyone else. They might get 1/2 their normal average of 45.5, but I doubt it:
Roberson ready to make return Thomas Goldkamp/Gator Bait
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida junior Marcus Roberson, widely considered the top cornerback on the team heading into the season, is expected to return to the field Saturday against LSU after missing the last three games.
Roberson sprained his knee against Miami and has been a game-time decision the last three weeks, only to miss each game.
"Marcus Roberson practiced his best practice since he's been back," Will Muschamp said on the SEC teleconference Wednesday. "He'll be full-speed Saturday and ready to go."
While freshman Vernon Hargreaves III has come in and played excellently in Roberson's absence, Roberson still leads the team in catch-to-target ratio.
Roberson has given up just three catches on 13 targets this season, with opponents gaining 53 yards on throws in Roberson's direction.
His return will help boost a secondary that will face its toughest test so far this year against LSU receivers Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry.
"Beckham and Landry are outstanding on the edges," Muschamp said. "Obviously a lot of teams are trying to outnumber them in the box and Zach (Mettenberger) has been very accurate with the football, completing 70 percent of his passes.
"The thing that impresses you the most is the accuracy on the deep balls."
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Post by canefan on Oct 10, 2013 6:43:32 GMT -5
Will he or won't he?
October 10, 2013
Cook not ruling out switch to Canes! Matt Shodell
The good news for Cane fans: Miami Central High School RB and Gator commitment Dalvin Cook says he thinks "it's a great chance" that he and Cane commitments Joseph Yearby and Trevor Darling all wind up attending the same college.
The not-so-great news: He's recruiting them to Florida.
But in the crazy world of recruiting anything can happen, and Cook isn't ruling out Miami as his future destination.
"Miami's got a chance," he said. "I'm not going to say they're out."
Cook grew up a Cane fan, as did his family - "I was always a Devin Hester fan," he says - and Cook has called Miami his dream school.
He chose to commit to UF because he felt Miami's chances of winning titles appeared shaky when he made the decision and because he says he was "very comfortable" at Florida and had a great relationship with coaches there.
"I had to make the decision for myself," he said.
He says if UM keeps up its winning ways this season, "it will help" with him. Cook wants to play for a team that competes for national titles.
Cook also says he's keeping his eye on Alabama, USC, Texas, Arkansas and Louisville. As an early graduate, though, he won't be able to take a lot of official visits.
He's already visited Texas and set up a visit to Arkansas for Nov. 2. Cook will visit FSU for UM's game against the Seminoles. He was at Miami to watch the game against the Gators and says he'll be at every UM home game that doesn't conflict with his own football schedule.
"I talk to coach Hurlie Brown on a weekly basis," Cook said. "I have a great relationship with him. He talks to me about everything, not just football.
"He said he's going to come see me, him and coach (Al) Golden."
Cook says Yearby and Darling are pushing hard for him to switch his commitment.
"We try to recruit each other at the same time," Cook said. "It's kind of crazy because with them committed to the same school, we have the best relationship on the team."
Asked the chance he switches his commitment in the end, Cook said, "I don't know yet. I just have to keep feeling things out."
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 8:11:49 GMT -5
This can be spun anyway you like, but he's coming to UF in January. I've not seen Yearby or Darling listed as players UF is looking at let alone recruiting. Dalvin is taking visits and playing the game the way it should be done.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 8:14:14 GMT -5
Dandy Don notes on Les Miles radio call in show last night:
Last night Coach Miles held his weekly radio talk show and was notably excited about the way his team has been playing on offense and special teams, and insistent that the defense is making strides and getting better each day. Below is my rough summary of some of the more interesting comments, questions and answers from the show.
As they do each week, host Jim Hawthorn and Coach Les Miles named last week’s offensive play of the game before going to the phone lines. Hawthorn suggested that it was Jeremy Hill’s 69-yard touchdown run made to make the score 14-6 with 7:18 remaining in the first quarter. Miles agreed but said he also liked the first play of the game when LSU came out throwing for a 25-yard gain.
The first caller of the night was Gary who wanted to know when we will see Kendell Beckwith at middle linebacker, and what happened to Ronnie Fiest. Miles’ response was that Beckwith is being prepared to play inside and play significantly, and that we’ll see him ready to play there this game. As for Fiest, Miles called him a fine young linebacker who will be significant down the road, after a “postponed start.”
Terry from Slidell called to say that this is the best offense he's ever seen and that if we would have had Cam Cameron in 2011 nobody could have beaten us. Miles agreed that the offense is very special and spoke of a very talented quarterback that's on target, receivers who are on consistently on-point, and a balanced running game. Miles also acknowledged that it would be challenging to maintain such an outstanding pace on offense.
Jim from Gonzales called to quickly chastise Les Miles for keeping Jeremy Hill on the team, saying it was disgraceful and embarrassing. Hawthorn quickly dismissed Jim by thanking him for his call and moving right along to the next caller.
A little later in the show, Steve from Covington asked if Miles had ever considered moving Fehoko Fanaika to defensive tackle to provide extra depth there. Miles called it an interesting idea and said there are probably some guys on offense who might be worth such consideration, but that he’s not sure Fanaika is one of them.
One of the next callers asked why the defense always seems to starts slow. Miles’ response was that there are some youthful guys on defense who just need to play games to get better and that they're starting to do that now. Miles said the defense will continue to improve throughout the second half of the season which starts this week.
Ginie from the live audience asked what effect players leaving early for the NFL has on recruiting. Miles said that recruiting is now a cycle that requires a lot of three-year turnaround. He pointed out that while offensive linemen and quarterbacks often benefit by staying four or five years, players on defense and at the skill positions are usually gone in three years, therefore they need to recruit players that can step in and play right early.
The Big Ragoo, a longtime regular on the show, asked about the new tackling rule. Miles said it’s a great rule in that it eliminates some potential for harm without lessening physicality. He also said that because of the rule his team is tackling lower.
Another longtime regular of the show, the Evil Twin, asked about the status of Jarvis Landry and whether we should expect to see him play this Saturday. Miles said that we could “absolutely” expect to see Landry play Saturday in what he called a four-quarter event. Earlier in the day, Miles said that Landry, Craig Loston and Tahj Jones should all be healthy enough to play Saturday.
Before returning to the phone lines, Hawthorn named the defensive play of last week's game as TreDavious White’s interception and 40-yard return to the Mississippi State five-yard-line. Miles called White a very talented returner and said that had he not gotten tired he might have taken it into end zone. Miles went on to say that White will routinely make big plays like that from this point on.
Rick from Zachary called to say that he hasn’t seen Coach Miles chew grass in a while, and to ask about the defensive backs communication problems against Georgia. Miles assured Rick that every time he steps onto a stadium with natural grass he reaches down to taste it, whether anyone sees it or not. As for the defensive backs, Miles said he could see them getting better in the second half against State and that they are continuing to improve.
In the final segment of the show another caller asked about the middle linebacker position and Miles said that they are continuing to rotate guys there to see who is best.
One of the last callers of the night was Brad from Monroe who called to ask about one of his hometown guys, Jordan Allen, and about the defense in general. Miles said that Allen is having a very good year and has worked hard to put himself in a position to play significant football. As for the defense, they will be ready for Florida.
Miles concluded the program by saying that if the team continues to prepare and improve each week, they’ll be in position at the back end of the season to reach all of their goals.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 8:43:35 GMT -5
Written by Franz Beard, October 10, 2013
JEREMY FOLEY’S BEST HIRE EVER
You could say that Billy Donovan is coaching against himself because Florida’s winningest basketball coach ever has taken the Gators to 20 or more wins in 15 consecutive seasons. Prior to Donovan, Florida had five 20-win seasons in school history. There is no one to chase because every win just adds to Donovan’s legacy – 415-166 in 17 seasons at UF; 450-186 in 19 seasons overall; two NCAA titles and one NCAA runner-up; three straight Elite Eight appearances and five SEC championships. Without a doubt, Donovan is the best hire Jeremy Foley ever made. He wins. He graduates his players. He does things the right way. There is never a hint of scandal, something you can’t say for another certain high profile SEC program 800 or so miles north.
DEALING WITH ELEVATED EXPECTATIONS
The Gators are going to be in everyone’s top 7-8 picks when all the preseason basketball magazines are on the racks and for good reason. When Donovan has his full arsenal, this is going to be a team capable of making it to the Final Four and even winning the national title. When Scottie Wilbekin comes off suspension in December and McDonald’s All-American Chris Walker joins the team after the semester break, the Gators will be as deep and as talented as any team in the country. Given the length, quickness and the number of versatile multi-position players, it’s going to be a team that can run with anyone, press teams into submission and play the halfcourt game. Donovan’s biggest concerns are going to be leadership because this is a team that is going to have to deal with elevated expectations throughout the year. If they can handle the hype, they’re going to win and win big.
RULE #1: SURVIVE THE FIRST QUARTER
Gene Ellenson once told me, “You can’t win a football game in the first quarter but you sure can lose one.” When the Gators take the field at Tiger Stadium Saturday, they have to remember that even though it’s a four-quarter game, you can’t let LSU get the momentum and the crowd going early on. The fans will be shoehorned into Tiger Stadium and they will be ready to seize upon any mistake the Gators make to elevate the decibel level a few more notches. Will Muschamp has to impart on his team that the best way to take the crowd out and frustrate LSU’s high powered offense is to play mistake-free football in the quarter especially. If the Gators can survive the first quarter this should be a down to the wire game. If the Gators make critical mistakes early on, it could get ugly early.
MATCHING UP WITH LANDRY AND BECKHAM
The best way to defend the Tigers is to play them straight up. That means the front seven has to handle the running game while the corners are out on an island one-on-one with Jarvis Landry (42 catches for 626 yards and seven touchdowns) and Odell Beckham (35 catches for 686 yards and six TDs). Marcus Roberson returns after a three-game absence to bolster Loucheiz Purifoy and Vernon Hargreaves III. As good as Roberson, Purifoy and Hargreaves are, however, they can’t cover these guys forever. The Gators are going to have to get pass rush from the front four so the linebackers can take away the short zones and get in the way of those crossing patterns the Tigers like to run. If Dante Fowler and Ronald Powell can provide the pressure off the edge, the Gators will have a chance to shut down LSU’s dynamic duo. Without pressure, however, these guys will have their hands full.
FLORIDA-LSU FLASHBACK: 2005
After this game, Mike Freeman, then of the Florida Times-Union dubbed Urban Meyer “Urban Crier.” Freeman never seemed to understand that Meyer didn’t cry because he lost. Meyer broke into tears because his heart ached that some of his players gave everything they had — Dallas Baker had played with a high ankle sprain and broken ribs – while others were still fighting him every step of the way. The Gators were so beat up and battered that LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini consistently sent eight on the rush leaving three to cover Florida’s five receivers. The result? Five sacks of Chris Leak for -50 yards. LSU won the game, 21-17, and outgained the Gators, 361-206, but even with the yardage discrepancy, it’s a game that Florida could have very well won.
FLORIDA-LSU FLASHBACK: 2005, PART II
Probably the one play that got to Meyer was a third and nine from the Florida 43 early in the fourth quarter. JaMarcus Russell launched a pass that Dwayne Bowe leapt and caught downfield for a 31-yard gain. Kyle Jackson, who shouldn’t have been one-on-one with Bowe in the first place, offered little resistance and there was no help to be found even though the Tigers ran a three-man route. This play emphasized to Meyer that he still didn’t have the entire team buying into the program. That wouldn’t happen for a month when after a devastating, 30-22, loss to South Carolina in Columbia, Vernell Brown, Jarvis Herring and Jeremy Mincey had a two hour come to Jesus with the team while the plane was still on the tarmac at the Gainesville Airport upon arriving home.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 8:51:20 GMT -5
Written by Mark Miller, October 10, 2013
And so it begins. With all of the turmoil over the first five games of the season it was really easy to forget that the REAL schedule begins this Saturday. With all due respect to Tennessee, Arkansas and Kentucky, the real meat of the schedule begins in Baton Rouge and carries on through UGA, South Carolina and Florida State. Throw in Missouri and Vanderbilt, who for some reason tends to play the Gators tough, and the gauntlet is right ahead of this Florida team.
Gator fans have been on an emotional roller coaster this season. The defense has impressed but even against Toledo worries were surfacing about the offense. When it imploded the next week against Miami with penalties and turnovers some Gator fans were ready to throw in the towel. Then when starting quarterback Jeff Driskel and All-SEC defensive tackle Dominique Easley both went down with season ending injuries, depression began to set in but reports of Florida’s demise were greatly exaggerated. Two games later the defense looks just fine, backup quarterback Tyler Murphy has surprised nearly everyone with his stellar play and Gator fans are feeling pretty good about themselves and their team. Solid wins against Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas have buoyed everyone’s confidence. Confidence can be a fragile thing, however.
Saturday’s trip to LSU could undo a lot of that euphoria. The Tigers are big, strong and talented. Senior quarterback Zach Mettenberger has played his way into a pretty high draft status. Running back Jeremy Hill is an absolute beast. This will be the best team Florida has played all season and may well be the best team the Gators face the entire regular season. I know that Georgia beat LSU but, as seems to happen quite often, the Bulldogs had a little luck on their side. Without the fumbled punt I doubt Georgia wins that game and it wasn’t a forced error, Odell Beckham just dropped the ball. The good news is that if the Gators can travel to Baton Rouge and beat LSU they should be in good position to face the rest of their schedule. Even a loss on Saturday is not disastrous. It would take the Gators out of any hope for a shot at the national title but Florida would still control its own destiny in the SEC East.
Winning this game is not an insurmountable task. LSU was cruising along pretty good when Florida shut down their offense last season although this year’s team is scoring points in buckets. I believe that Florida will concentrate early on shutting down the running game and then go after the quarterback. If you do not get pressure on Mettenberger he will pick your secondary apart, even one as good as Florida’s. UF’s defensive backs will have to match up with a very talented group of Tiger receivers to allow for safety help up front to stop the running game. This week is the true measuring stick for just how good this Gator team really is this year. After Saturday there will be no need for speculation, because everyone will know whether or not Florida belongs in the title talk. Of course, this makes the lead up to the game both exiting and a little scary for but if there isn’t a little gut wrenching concern for a game or two each season your team isn’t winning enough to raise the stakes. Games like this are why we are college football fans in the first place.
This week will reveal just how big of a hole the loss of Easley really left. If the Gator defense can hold the potent Tiger offense to twenty points or less it will bode very well for the remainder of the season. With the rash of injuries that have struck the Georgia offense, LSU should be the best offense Florida faces until the season ending matchup with Florida State. It will take everything the Gator front seven has to stop the LSU running game and get enough pressure on Mettenberger to keep him from just waiting until one of those receivers is running free, something they did the entire game against Georgia. If Florida allows that to happen it will be a long ride back from the Pelican State.
On offense, Murphy will for the first time face a defense that is both complex and extremely talented. If he doesn’t falter under the pressure he sees Saturday, he probably will not at any point in the season. Murphy put up some pretty impressive stats against Arkansas going 16 of 22 for 240 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. That kind of performance Saturday would certainly help. It will be imperative that the running game is more productive than it was against Arkansas to take some of the weight of Murphy’s shoulders. That means better offensive line play and a much better job of finding the holes that are there by the running backs. I am still not completely sold on Matt Jones. I realize that he may still not be completely up to speed after his ailment but he needs to be much more decisive and explosive. It would not surprise me to see more of Mack Brown this week. For those of you chomping at the bit to see more of Kelvin Taylor, I doubt that Muschamp will risk a freshman carrying the ball against that bruising LSU defense on the road. The most important aspect for the offense this week is avoiding turnovers. You cannot expect to be successful against LSU if you give them extra possessions.
LSU has been extremely fortunate as far as the injury bug is concerned. The Tigers have remained mostly intact this season. But then, they certainly needed to be with ten players leaving early after the 2012 season. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen a team have that many players decide to leave early in a single offseason. Even the punter left early. The punter! And that ten doesn’t even include the loss of the Ganji Badger. The LSU offense was not hit very hard by the attrition and it certainly shows. LSU is lighting up the scoreboard. The defense was absolutely decimated. That may play right into Florida’s hands. The Gator defense may well be the best in the country and therefore should be able to at least contain the Tiger offense somewhat. The LSU defense has understandably struggled which could be a blessing for a young quarterback and a questionable offensive line. Florida will need good things to happen on offense to win this game. This might be just the defense to orchestrate that against.
I just do not have a good feel for what I expect to see on Saturday. Florida could manage another ugly, clock-eating game and pull out a win or LSU could win this one in a blowout. I haven’t seen the Gators play against this much talent yet this season. I guess that is what makes college football so much fun to watch. By Saturday night the entire Gator Nation will know what this team is capable of accomplishing in 2013. I hope it is a happy Gator Nation.
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Post by canefan on Oct 10, 2013 9:01:41 GMT -5
This can be spun anyway you like, but he's coming to UF in January. I've not seen Yearby or Darling listed as players UF is looking at let alone recruiting. Dalvin is taking visits and playing the game the way it should be done. Not sure if UF is on Yearby or not, seeing as how they currently have Cook committed. I don't doubt for a second they are recruiting Darling. I don't think this would be quite as interesting were it not for two things. First, his two buddies from his high school team committed to Miami and second, his brother started school this year and is on the Miami basketball team. There have been rumors galore for months about Cook and Yearby. Darling has been committed forever and has never wavered. All three of the five star backs in Dade are committed to different programs and it wouldn't surprise me at all if two of the three wind up at different schools than they are currently committed to. Ah, ain't recruiting fun.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 9:46:33 GMT -5
Darrell, every where Dalvin has gone, he has recruited others to UF. I just don't see this one changing. He's a good fit for UF and the depth chart is perfect for him. UF isn't recruiting a second QB in this class with Will Grier coming in and I don't think UF is recruiting a second RB. With 22+-1, it's hard to take everybody you want to.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 10, 2013 9:50:56 GMT -5
We have 3 NFL caliber CBs going against Beckham and Landry. Also Beckham and Landry are not the big receiver types standing 6'0" and 6'1". They are the size of our CBs. It's athleticism playing against athleticism, not just a jump ball situation to a much taller receiver like you see on some teams:
By Robbie Andreu Staff writer
Published: Thursday, October 10, 2013 at 6:00 a.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 7:59 p.m.
Big games in the SEC are usually won and lost on the line of scrimmage, which may very well turn out to be the case again in Baton Rouge on Saturday.
But heading into the Florida-LSU game, the real monster matchup is not necessarily the one between the big nasties up front. That distinction may belong to the fast, athletic guys in the back end of Florida's defense.
LSU's wide receivers vs. Florida's defensive backs.
This is a game that could be won or lost in the secondary — Florida's secondary, where some of the SEC's best defensive backs will be trying to cover and contain perhaps the nation's most dynamic pair of wide receivers in the nation in Jarvis Landry and Odell Beckham Jr.
“It's a big challenge,” UF senior safety Jaylen Watkins said. “They have athletic guys out there. They definitely go up and get the ball no matter if they are covered or not. (Quarterback Zach) Mettenberger is going to put it right on them and give them a chance to get it every time.
“We've got our work cut out for us this week. But this is what we look forward to as a secondary. I think it's going to come down to (how well we play in the secondary).”
The Florida secondary has been a strength on what has been, statistically, the best defense in the SEC this season. The Gators lead the league in pass defense (152 yards a game) and pass defense efficiency (81.2 percent) and are third in interceptions (eight).
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