A workmanlike effort on Senior Day, as the Gators’ superior physicality and depth were too much for the Mountaineers to deal with.

The odd cycle of personnel and play-calling continues, as Florida played more of Reed at QB and actually threw more downfield against an outmanned opponent, while force-feeding Brantley and predictable play-calling against SEC teams.  The defense was not great, but played hard and tackled well.

Despite the lopsided score, there are still the same troubling faults that seemingly can’t be corrected by this staff — poor pass blocking against the blitz, and simply no pass rush of significance.  ASU did move the ball decently and could have scored more points with better execution in the passing game. 

Now it’s on to the regular season finale against the School Out West. 

On defense, the Gators simply have to clamp down and play tight coverage on F$U’s WRs.  None of those guys are breakaway threats.  Jenkins has had an A-A season, and should be able to take away Haulstead, who seems to be Ponder’s go-to guy for big plays.  Brown, Riggs, and Moses Jenkins can handle Reed and the rest.  The Criminole running game is inconsistent at best.  They seem to break a long run with Thompson occasionally, but are not physical or dominating behind the Turnstiles.  The matchup between the Seminole OL and Gator DL is one of mediocrity this year, and one that the Gators have dominated recently — this gives F$U a decent chance to win Saturday.  The key may be the Florida LB corps — a unit that has simply not performed well the entire season.  They have to get proper drops in the passing lanes and tackle well.  The bottom line is aggressiveness from all units all game.

Of course, if the late rumors are true that Jenkins may not play due to a concussion suffered against ASU……all bets are off. 

It’s a crapshoot as to what kind of offensive game plan Florida will have ready.  I have little confidence right now in the ability of the staff to scheme for mismatches in personnel.  I do believe that the Gator OL can physically overpower the F$U DL in a power-running game, especially if Burton and Reed are allowed to mix in some counter-plays and sweeps on their own.  But what happens when Brantley is in to throw?  Will the staff actually give him some extra protection to allow a little time to exploit a poor F$U secondary?  The Gators have the advantage in talent in the matchup between their WR vs. the F$U DBs, but will they get the chance to exploit it?  

With no SECCG to prepare for, there is no reason to hold anything back in this game.  This is a huge game for recruiting ramifications and the perception that UF still is the dominant team.  A lot of what Urban Meyer has established since 2005 can be torn down with a poor showing this week.  I’m hopeful that the defense can get some turnovers to help the offense generate some points and lessen the pressure on them to sustain drives all afternoon.  It’s just a shame that the Gators have actually fallen back to the level of F$U and that they can actually lose this one.

Florida 24        Florida $t. 23

All of a sudden, the Gators are starting to resemble a football team.  Florida dominated an overmatched Vanderbilt team from the start, and was able to clear the bench in a 55-14 blowout.  Actually, it’s difficult to read too much into this game, as the Commodores looked pathetic and punchless.  However, the way the game unfolded, especially in the second half, may be a harbinger of things to come the rest of this season and into 2011.

It appears that the failed Dazzler OC playcalling experiment is finally over, and that other offensive staff members are helping to develop a hybrid of the Spread Option to take advantage of the strengths of these players — a novel concept.  The Gators are back to being a power running team utilizing zone-blocking schemes, and are now employing an unheard-of 3 QB rotation.  Brantley is still the best passer, and Burton the best option guy, but now comes the sudden emergence of Jordan Reed as a viable threat both ways.  He certainly has the physical skills to make big plays running and passing, but will have to be brought along quickly and, more importantly, smartly, with a huge game coming up.

There really isn’t much to dissect from this lopsided game.  Florida did anything it wanted on both sides of the ball.  There were a few mental lapses, especially the poor blocking on the punt block, and some expected rustiness in some of Reed’s throws.  It was good to see Chris Rainey’s continued resurrection, and his impact on special teams as well.  There are a handful of freshmen who will be major contributors the rest of 2010 – Floyd, Powell, Riggs, and Dubose.

Showdown at the Swamp

Now it’s on to a championship game for the Gators, as they welcome South Carolina and the Pariah to determine the East representative in Atlanta.  Despite their blowout home loss to Arkansas, It would be a bad idea to underestimate the Lamecocks.  Their pass defense is worst in the SEC, but Florida’s pass offense has been anything but consistent and efficient up to now.  Expect a heavy dose of blitzes and jamming the box to stop the Gator option attack, and for USCeast to dare Florida to throw the ball to beat them.

On offense, the Pariah will attack to weak link of the Florida defense, the underachieving LB corps.  Their key RB, Marcus Lattimore, may be a little hobbled, but I still expect to see a lot of carries early for as long as he can go.  The LBs and safeties have to limit the completions on the slants and square-ins to Alshon Jeffrey, and must make Garcia try to pick out 2nd and 3rd options to throw to.  Even in his 3rd season, he still makes mistakes, and generating a few turnovers to help the Gator offense will be critical.

A big concern is the kickoff coverage, or lack of it.  With a walk-on as kicker who lacks the leg strength to get the ball inside the 5-yard line, it may be time to try some squib or sky kicks to offset this disadvantage.  All phases must be on point this week, and yielding continued good field position is not part of Urban Meyer’s Plan to Win. 

As much I would like to completely buy in to the revamped offensive scheme, it is still a work in progress, and there is precious room for error right now.  Florida is not a dominant team this year, and must continue to play opportunistic and efficient football to win.  The past 2 weeks offer hope, but can the Gators continue their momentum and push through this week, especially if they run in to any early setbacks and fall behind?  A slow start can cripple a fragile team, and I’m not sure if there is enough leadership among the players to overcome it.

All that being said, Coach Meyer was more energized than at any time this season during his television show, and is calling for an intense atmosphere at the Swamp Saturday night.  It will be a Blue-out game, and let’s hope the Gators don’t black out under the pressure.  I’m going to go with the home team and crowd in what could be another game not decided until deep into the 4th quarter.

Prediction – Florida 27    South Carolina 24

Not Dead Yet!

The Gators remain alive for a shot at Atlanta, rallying together in the off week to put together (finally) an offensive game plan that utilized the strengths of the players, and overcoming quite a few self-inflicted “flesh wounds”. The first overtime game in series history turned into an instant classic.

It was certainly a stirring win with so much going in a negative direction the entire month of October – bad play, even worse play-calling, and injuries. It looks like the team is starting to buy in to the team concept as the only way it can really compete for anything meaningful.

While the game turned into a shootout in the second half, it really only became close because of horrendous 3rd down defense (or lack thereof) by Florida. Teryl Austin has to be criticized for some of the schemes he dialed up, leaving the middle of the field open too often, and also getting some strange coverage matchups with LBs and DEs on TEs and WRs. This has to be corrected.

The offense got back to its roots with a powerful option run game to complement an efficient passing attack. The offensive staff is to be commended for figuring out a way to get 2 (and sometimes 3) QBs on the filed at the same time, while using motion to line them up at QB depending on the play call. The return of Chris Rainey at RB was a big boost, as was getting enough quality snaps out of Demps. The WRs came up with some clutch plays to keep drives alive and covert some long-yardage situations. Hammond and Hines are starting to elevate their play, and are becoming reliable targets.

Finally, a few words about that hypocrite Mark Pricht and Mr. Choke, Defensive Coordinator Todd Grantham. What a pair of losers……the usual classless acts we’ve come to expect from the Puppies. Talk about making it that much sweeter for Chas Henry to kick them to the curb – AGAIN! Hey Puppies – how did that hob-nail boot to the face feel? Once again, I-75 north back to Athens, er, Loserville, is The Trail of Tears.

Now it’s on to Nashville to face Vanderbilt. It looks like it’s going to be a chilly day up there, so expect continued pounding of the running game early to set up some safe passing later. Despite it’s struggles the first half of the season, Florida still owns a huge talent advantage,and should be able to slowly take control of this game. The Gators still have a lot to clean up — penalties, missed blocking assignments in pass protection, and improved pass coverage concepts to protect the middle of the field.

The Commodores just lost leading rusher Warren Norman to injury for the rest of the season. Their running game was the only real bright spot on this team, as their passing game is mediocre at best. Their defense lacks depth as usual, and has been wearing down with regularity in the second half of games.

Historically Florida has struggled to cover the spread in Nashville, and this could be a sandwich game before the SEC East showdown at the Swamp next week against South Carolina. Also, it’s going to be a cool day and an early start, so the staff will be challenged to have the team ready to go from the opening kickoff. However, with so much work still to do to improve all facets of the game, I have to believe the players will be focused enough to take care of their business.

Prediction – Florida 31 Vanderbilt 14