Florida Gators

[Deleted]

Jul 15, 2013 9:17:11 GMT -5 trnyerheadncough said:

Until the Gator offense shows marked improvement, I'd be cautious about throwing out the "loaded" adjective.

You guys survived last year on an outstanding turnover ratio, and playing conservative...and getting a few bounces.

This year I think your defense is going to still be great, but not quite as great as last year. Until you can show me a wideout who can scare a defense and that Driskel can get the ball to him, I think 1 or 2 losses is best case, and 4 losses worst.

The offense won't be worse and will likely be significantly better in the 2nd year under OC Brent Pease. UF had the #1 WR recruiting class. I expect a couple of freshmen to contribute right away.

The defense will be as good, maybe better. The secondary will be better, LBers on par, and the DL on par or better.

The special teams will be outstanding so long as one of the PKers step up. My money is on Austin Hardin stepping up, but Brad Phillips is fine from 40 and in. Hardin can be good from 50-55 and in. Kyle Christie may be the best punter in the nation.

TYHNC thinks 8-4 to 11-1 while ET thinks 9-3 to 12-0. It's too close to disagree over; however, I think I'm more right about UF than you just like last year. To me, 8-4 is just as likely as 6-6. It isn't going to happen. This much I know, your nolies won't leave The Swamp with a win.

[trnyerheadncough]

1. Generally...you suck with regards to prognostications.

2. I also predict us to lose this year....but if our qb steps up...I may amend that thought.

3. 8-4 is more likely than undefeated.

[Deleted]

When it comes to UF, I was more right than you last year. Don't confuse your greater expertise of predicting winners and losers using the Vegas spreads with my overwhelming knowledge and understanding of all things Gator.

Your first year starting QB will not come out of The Swamp with the win.

There is no chance for 8-4. 12-0 has a low chance with UF's schedule, but it at least could happen presuming every break goes UF's way and the Gators don't experience any injuries. I'd say about a 2% chance of going 12-0.

BTW, what is your record range prediction for FSU and why?

[trnyerheadncough]

For FSU....best case, 11-1. Worst case, 9-3. Only two games we realistically should lose are at UF and at Clemson. I think we split those. We also have our annual WTF game...where we lose to someone we have no business losing to.

I actually think we avoid that WTF game this year...but still lose on the road once.

We have the talent to match up with everyone on our schedule this year...including your beloved Gators. But with a frosh qb, I'm not ready to jump in with both feet yet.

P.S. as to your knowledge of all things gator....see the adage concerning blind squirrels and acorns...

[Deleted]

I see FSU at 9-3 to 11-1 as well. If 11-1, UF will be knocking off another FSU unbeaten team in Gainesville. I think that happened last in a little game back in 1997.

The team to look out for is Miami. Their defense was lousy last season, but they return a lot of players with an additional year of experience and maturity. Stephen Morris and that RB/WR (whatever he is) are the real deal on offense. I'm glad UF gets them in the second game before they can get on a roll. Most in here, not Darrell, have written off Miami. I haven't.

[canefan]

Steven Morris is creating quite a stir before the season. Having been named MVP of the Manning camp, the writers there are raving about his talent. He already holds many of the passing records for Miami. If he stays healthy this could be an exciting season for him.

[trnyerheadncough]

I certainly haven't forgotten about Miami at all. The problem is they are going to have many games this year that they win 42-35 because their defense simply isn't that good. Yes, they've returned several starters, but they are woeful at the front four, and they aren't very deep. Teams that can run the ball are going to wear them out and grind them down.

FSU has them at home, and we've played Miami pretty good as of late. We've won the last 4 out of 5, and 3 in a row.

It is a game that we should win, which is why I put it in the win column. But, we lose games every year that I think we should win...so my prediction builds in some leeway for that.


That said, I think Miami goes 9-3 this year. Losing to UF, FSU, and some other game in the ACC...most likely at North Carolina (who I think will be pretty good this year), or at Pitt to end the season.

[trnyerheadncough]

And ET, I honestly believe that if FSU comes into Hogtown undefeated, we'll beat the Gators. The problem is, I don't think we come in undefeated.

I remember 1997. I was at that game. One of the greatest football games I've attended, just being a fan of college football. I knew we were in trouble when we couldn't push it in from the 4. Had to settle for a field goal (which was the smart move...put us up 29-25), but still.

[Deleted]

Of all the great Gator games played in my football memory which goes back to the 64-65 time frame, the 97 game was the greatest Gator game of that time. The national championship games are outstanding and have great historical importance, but they just don't measure up to 97 UF vs FSU. I've been tempted to see if the game can be purchased on CD. I'd gladly watch it once per year. It was probably the best game in 97 for all of college football.

I hope you're right about Miami's defensive front four with little depth. If so, that is the recipe for disaster playing UF under Muschamp. UF last year and this year are some of UF's most physical teams since the early to mid 80s.

[Deleted]

The opener against Toledo will kickoff at 12:21 PM EST and will be televised by the SEC Network:

www.gatorsports.com/article/20130716/ARTICLES/130719741?tc=cr

That's two noon games to open the season. Barring rain, the heat will be dangerous in Gainesville and Miami.

[trnyerheadncough]

Well, taking a look...Miami ranked #115 in sacks last year at just a shade over 1 per game. Their run defense was #114 last year, giving up over 200 yards a game.

Chickillo (4*) is the best they got on the line, and he managed 4 sacks all year, which led the team. Shayon Green (3*) starts on the other side, who is a pretty decent tackler, but isn't anywhere near the players like Fowler, or Edwards are.

On the interior, Porter (3*) has spent his career being injured, and when he's been healthy has been servicable, but hardly a dominant force. Also there is Pierre (3*), who I actually think is a pretty good player.

In the 2nd string, they have Hamilton (4*), who has been hampered by injury. Cain, who is a 2 star converted linebacker, Luther Robinson (4*), and Corey King (2*).

This is, at least, according to their depth chart.

Chickillo is the only real star I see there, and since he's the only one, I'm sure he spent last year getting doubled on the outside. I'm sort of surprised Hamilton is still at DE, he seems made for DT, and the fact that Robinson can't crack the 2 deep despite being a senior...he can't seem to beat out Porter.

I like Miami's linebackers, especially Perryman, who is a stud, and they are good at safety. They are vulnerable to the run, which will probably be the one thing on offense that the Gators will definitely do well this year.

Matchups just don't favor the Canes. But...it's a rivalry game, and it's in Miami. However, the Canes without the Orange Bowl aren't the same.

[canefan]

LOL!! One of the few things I will agree with you on is the comment that we just are not the same without the Orange Bowl. there was a mystic around that old stadium that just worked magic, particularly when FSU was in town. As for the DL, when Porter is healthy he is by far the best DL we have and he is a dominant force inside. He requires a double team and collapses the pocket as well as gets a push and penetration. I think Pierre probably starts beside him and he really came on at the end of the year last year. I think the last two years Porter has only played the last few games each year due to injuries or, as in last year, emergency abdominal surgery just before the start of the season. Chick had a tough year last year after having an excellent freshman season. Not an unheard of occurrence for sure. He looks good, his S & C numbers have improved greatly in the off season and I think he will have a solid year. Shayon Green has also been hampered his entire career with injuries and, when healthy, is a solid contributor. A big thing will be some of the new kids. The Nigerian Nightmare, Ufomba Kamalu, is waiting to clear admissions and should be in by the end of the month. He has, according to him, cleared the clearing house already. AQM, Alquadin Muhammad is finishing up a summer class and says he will be good to go by the end of the month as well. He would help the rush of the end greatly. It is supposedly 50/50 regarding Juco transfer Devonte Bond, also expected to be a big upgrade at rushing off the end. And I still haven't heard a final word off the former Wisconsin kid with the bad foot. Right there are four very talented newcomers for the D Line.

[Deleted]

A little bit off-topic but today our local paper had a pretty good size article about the perceived even spread this fall when the Gators play the Gamecocks.....They did not hesitate to mention the absolute thrashing Florida gave to SC last year but this year things JUST MIGHT be a different story....I won't bore you with the details but there WAS a few compelling arguments....

I tried to post the online article but the fuckers want you to be a subscriber...f-word that.....

[trnyerheadncough]

You certainly know the Canes better than I, but I'm going off of what I've seen, and what information I can glean from the games the Canes have played. Porter played in 4 games last year, and in 3 of the 4, the opponent rushed for more than their season average. He's played in 7 games total over the last 3 years, starting 3, and has 4.5 TFL for his career, and 0 sacks.

In his defense, he's been hurt...but if he's missed most of the last 3 years due to injury, it doesn't say much for the rest of the line that he's the best you got.

I said that I like Pierre, and think he's a solid player, but he doesn't strike fear in the heart of any rushing offense.

And you made my point for me regarding depth. If you are talking about relying on kids who aren't even in school yet to become significant contributors this fall, it means your depth is sorely lacking. Porter isn't going to be able to play 50 snaps a game.

[Deleted]

Muschamp's Winning Formula - this from Gatorzone:


By SCOTT CARTER
GatorZone.com Senior Writer



HOOVER, Ala. -- They have not forgotten that deflating night in New Orleans six months ago.

They remember the turnovers and the penalties and the crummy feeling they had when they walked out of the Superdome.

They wish they could forget the final score: Louisville 33, Florida 23.

A sweet season for the Gators ended with an unexpected sour taste.

"We just didn't have the pieces to the puzzle to that game,'' senior defensive tackle Dominique Easley said Tuesday here at the SEC Football Media Days. "We've been living off that all [offseason], so we've got to change that. They have the score [posted] right before we walk in the locker room, so everyday we have to see it."

As Gators coach Will Muschamp prepares for his third season, the Sugar Bowl loss to Louisville in January serves as constant source of motivation.

Florida entered the game with a chance to put a giant exclamation point on what would have been only the sixth 12-win season in school history and shout to the college football world, "Hey, the Gators are back."

They would have finished ranked no lower than third in the country. They would have left the Big Easy in a much better mood.

"We got away from our formula,'' Muschamp said Tuesday. "I look back on it now, we needed to stick to our formula. That was the one regret I had coming out of that game."

The formula Muschamp relies on starts with a bone-rattling defense, good special teams play, and a ball-control offense built around a tough, physical running game.

The Gators relied on that formula for eight come-from-behind wins a year ago, turning a 6-6 regular season in Muschamp's first season to 11-1 before that Sugar Bowl loss.

While the Gators spent a portion of Tuesday revisiting the end of last season, they are more interested in looking ahead to this season.

Don't mistake the chatter as doom and gloom.

Rather the opposite.

No one predicted Florida would win 11 games in 2012, at least not before it actually happened. Few envisioned the Gators would beat LSU and South Carolina to finish 7-1 in the SEC East.

They are out to prove that despite that lackluster performance against Louisville that, yes, they are back.

"It should be a good year,'' fifth-year senior offensive lineman Jon Halapio said. "I feel like we have the leadership to keep this thing rolling."

The Gators lost seven starters on defense and four regulars on offense, and Mr. Automatic, kicker Caleb Sturgis, is now with the Miami Dolphins.

Still, hope is high for a program that won two national titles in four seasons prior to a dip in Urban Meyer's final season in 2010.

Florida was a combined 15-11 in Meyer's final season and Muschamp's first.

The climb back toward the nation's elite received a speed pass last season when Florida turned a minus-12 turnover ration in 2011 to a plus-15 in Year 2 under Muschamp.

Better players and better chemistry does that.

"I think as far as our win total last year, probably ahead of the game a little bit,'' Muschamp said. "As far as where our roster is and our locker room, I'm very comfortable with where we are.

"This is where I wanted to be at this time from the standpoint of we're building this the right way. And that starts up front on both lines of scrimmage. In our league you better be good there."

Halapio is one of nine offensive linemen on the roster with significant experience, and Easley is part of a group of defensive linemen that includes rising sophomores Dante Fowler Jr. and Jonathan Bullard.

The presence of Fowler and Bullard makes the loss of first-round NFL Draft pick Sharrif Floyd not as alarming.

Offensively, quarterback Jeff Driskel will be asked to make more plays in the passing game, as will a receiving corps that features five true freshmen. If some of the newcomers can contribute, and sophomore running back Matt Jones makes the impact the Gators expect, Florida should be in the hunt for its first SEC East title since 2009.

"I feel like we're close,'' Halapio said.

"I'm hearing Florida, South Carolina and Georgia,'' Driskel said. "Those are going to be some big games. We know we are going to have to be at our best to win those games."

Driskel's emergence as the full-time starter last season is a big reason Muschamp is more optimistic his third season at the helm can be the best so far.

The junior from Oviedo is a dual-threat weapon with a strong arm and a better grasp of second-year offensive coordinator Brent Pease's offense.

"I feel much more comfortable," Muschamp said. "I know who are quarterback is today as opposed to last season."

Driskel has taken on more of a leadership role and team unity is at an all-time high since Muschamp arrived according to Easley.

"He's made this program into a family, so when you come in you're accepted as a family member, so there's no doubts or worries in your mind or heart,'' Easley said.

Besides rebuilding chemistry, Muschamp has revamped the way the Gators play.

While Meyer and former coach Steve Spurrier were known for their offensive backgrounds, Muschamp is a defensive wizard.

He's a throwback to another era in some ways. To win in today's SEC, Muschamp believes you have to play great defense, feature excellent special teams, and be able to run the ball when the game is on the line.

The formula was good for 11 wins last year.

The Gators plan to tweak the formula in 2013 but not toss it to the side as they did against Louisville.

"I'm excited moving forward with our style,'' Muschamp said. "Everybody has their own preference with how they want to move the football. I'd love to have some 40-point wins, but at the end of the day I'm concerned about one stat and that's winning."