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

Two teams going in opposite directions meet in Jacksonville this week.  Georgia has turned a crappy season into a mediocre one by winning 3 straight, and their offense has come alive after the return of AJ Green from suspension.  The Gators?  They are in desperation mode, and have no room for error if they still want to win the East.

There has been a lot of talk during the off-week that Florida has re-vamped many things on the offense.  That’s nice to hear, but for me, I’ll believe it when I see it.  As long as the Dazzler is involved with playcalling instead of just trying to improve the poor play of the O-Line, the Gators can lose to almost anyone.

It all will start at the QB position, where Brantley has been the square peg being forced into a Spread Option round hole most of the season.  How many snaps does Burton get from here on out?  Does he actually get the chance to throw the ball, or has the staff failed here as well to at least make him a decent passer by now?

Hopefully the RBs are healthier than they have been in a month.  Demps should be ready to at least get 20 plays or so, and his speed and big-play ability are sorely missed.  Gillislee should be better as well.  Moody?  He’ll never be a real contributor it seems.  Brown?  It looks like a redshirt year for him, as he “learns” this terrific offense put together by the Dazzler.

The WRs have left a lot to be desired so far as well.  Time to play tough football — block harder, make catches over the middle, and break some tackles and make plays.  They have to get separation and make some plays downfield.

The Gator defense has to improve against the run game and get off the field on 3rd downs.  The Puppies have been winning by running the ball more effectively to help develop a young QB in Aaron Murray, and Florida needs to put the pressure to make big plays directly on him.  Washaun Ealey and Caleb King have developed into a solid 1-2 punch at RB.  

AJ Green is back, but he’s going to see (again) the best CB in the SEC in Janoris Jenkins.  JJ should be able to limit Green’s effect on the Puppy offense, and that helps the rest of the Gator defense take care of it’s own business.  The D-Line and LBs need to shake off a poor month of October and carry their fair share of responsibility starting this week.  The Puppies will go after the Gator LBs all game, especially in the passing game.  They love to run the TE down the seam, and have the WRs run the 15-18 yard square-ins.  Jones and Hicks especially have to elevate their game, starting this week.

If you can’t be a dominant team, you can still be an efficient and resourceful one.

Go with schemes that best utilize the strengths of the players on the field.  Stay ahead of schedule on first down.  Take a few more shots downfield to loosen up the defense.  Get the linebackers in position to better stop the run.  Take advantage of any big plays made by the defense or special teams on the plus side of the field.

The Gator offense is a complete mess right now, and 2 weeks is probably not enough to try and correct all of the problems.  Can the Gators regain some confidence and play aggressively this week?

Unfortunately, until these supposed changes are fully implemented, I am not confident that Florida can turn things around this week.  The hardest thing to do is to break a losing streak when all phases of the game are in question.

This prediction kills me……

Georgia 24      Florida 21

 FEELING LIKE ROCK BOTTOM

History repeats itself as the Gators look dismal against an out-manned MSU team.  Shades of 2004 and the end of the Zook Error, but losing at the Swamp?

Total abject failure on offense.  The Dazzler is completely incapable of coordinating an offense, and the OL play stinks as well. Coach Meyer needs to do the right thing for the program and relieve Addazio of the OC duties immediately, and try and salvage an already disappointing season and prepare for 2011.

There really isn’t much to dissect from Florida’s performance.  Unfortunately, it appears that the offensive ineptitude has finally started to permeate the entire team.  The defense only gave up 10 points, but it was clear that MSU was going to run the entire second half unless they fell behind.  And yet, the defense let the Bulldogs eat huge chunks of time off the clock, and gave the struggling offense poor field position.

Yes, there have been injuries to some key players, but 5 years of solid recruiting means that the staff is even more at fault for not getting the others ready to play and win.  Demps is a shadow of his former self right now, and, just when Debose started to gain confidence, he goes down with a bad ankle injury that could keep him out for an extended period.

I feel badly for Chas Henry as well, as he is simply not a quality placekicker, while he is having an A-A season as a punter.

Where is the LB corps? They have been practically invisible this year, except for a few interceptions by Bostic.  Hicks?  Jones?  They seem to be good for 1-2 impact plays a game, and no more……disappointing.

Where is the D-Line?  No real push from the interior, and Lemmens just isn’t an SEC-caliber DE.  Time for Powell and Floyd to get extended playing time.

Coach Meyer is saying most of the right things this week, but will he go as far as necessary for this team?  The entire offensive scheme needs to be re-vamped, and the entire coaching staff has to start earning it’s keep, as they have failed so far in giving these kids their best chance to win.

However……incredibly……the Gators still control their own destiny to get to Atlanta!  HA!  The East is WAY down in 2010……wow. 

“So you’re saying there’s a chance?”

I’ll be back next week with my Georgia preview……Go Gators!