Chompin' at the Bit - Vol.5

Week 3 Recap

LB Jarrad Davis and team - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

I have to start off this week's post with saluting our defense. Those boys held North Texas to 53 yards in the ENTIRE game. I don't care who you're playing... you hold a team to 53 total yards in a game, that is pretty impressive. That unit played with their hair on fire and ended up with 7 sacks in the 32-0 win. Number 1 defense in the country? It certainly appears that way, but there is a lot of ball left to play and we need to stay healthy to make that a reality at the end of the season. LBs Alex Anzalone and Jarrad Davis were all over the field making tackles. We often talk about having the best CB tandem in the country, but we could be overlooking the LBs. Anzalone and Davis are first round talents making a decisive impact on games and it's fun to watch.

The offense played decent, but nothing spectacular, with most of the shine coming from the talented running back group. Each of our big 4 scored TDs and played very well. I still favor Jordan Scarlett as my go-to guy and my second back would be Lamichal Perine. All are very capable of getting the job done, but for my preference of runner, the two aforementioned would match more of what I am looking for consistently on offense.

Of course the downer of the game came when our starting QB Luke Del Rio went down on what looked to be a season ending injury. I just knew his season was over when I saw that hit, but thankfully he didn't tear anything or require surgery so he should be back for the LSU game in a couple of weeks. The OL still is not where I think they should be. They showed flashes of greatness, but also blew tons of assignments and did not keep a clean pocket for the QBs a good portion of the game. I'll reemphasize as always... without them, this team won't win. They have to continue to get better.

Week 4 Preview

WR Antonio Callaway headed for the game winning TD in last
year's matchup - Photo Cred: miamiherald.com

The week most of us had circled is finally here. It's Tennessee week so I am extra hyped about this one... I once thought of them to be a "rival", but after losing 11 straight, I think it's kind of hard to use that term. "Divisional foe" would seem more appropriate to me, but that's neither here nor there. Florida leads the all-time series 26-19. At this point I am just tired of the Tennessee hype. Predicted SEC East Champion, possible CFB Playoff Contender, blah, blah, blah... I have said from day 1 that they are overrated and I would say they have proved me to be correct with how they have played the first few weeks of the season. We own them and have won the last few years with sub-par, backup quarterbacks. As a fan on either side of the "rivalry", what would make you think anything different is going to happen this year? After what happened last week to Luke and how coach Mac defended his players, this Gators team is ready to go "run through a wall" as LB Jarrad Davis said earlier in the week. CBs Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson have not held back either, by basically guaranteeing a win this weekend in candid comments they have had in interviews this week. Normally I would not agree with trash talking the opponent before the game and guaranteeing wins, but I think this week, this team, and this Tennessee is different. Exceptions can be made and I fully expect UF to come out and bust UT's head this weekend in Knoxville.

It's pretty obvious that all of the attention will be on backup QB Austin Appleby as he replaces the injured Luke Del Rio. Hopefully he gets good protection up front and makes some solid decisions to go along with accurate throws. He brings a running threat that Luke didn't have, so that should bode well for us if he needs to get out of the pocket. Expect a heavy dose of the run game with our four headed monster as well. WR Antonio Callaway is questionable for the game with that quad injury, but something tells me he will be on the field Saturday.

The defense, as I mentioned earlier, is ready to go. It will be fun to see them try and shutdown this Tennessee offense after they let them run all over them last year. That, plus the trash talk among the fans and players, reminds me of that year UGA stomped the field on us in 2007. I feel that type of disrespect and I'm sure you remember what happened to UGA the following year as well... 49-10 UF :) The key here will be staying disciplined against their run-option game. If we shutdown UT's run game and force them to throw, you might as well go ahead and get the celebratory shots ready because that's the ballgame. Pass rush situations equals our D-line eating all day long and I'm here for it.

Prediction: Florida over Tennessee (4-0).... Again... Make that 12 in a row. I just talked a lot of trash so I hope the Gators don't let me down lol 

Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators! 

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 4

By: Blair McLendon

WR Freddie Swain celebates his TD with his OL - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

Week 2 Recap

Wow! What a good game, right!? The way the Gators played on Saturday versus Kentucky exemplified what Florida Football should look like. I thought this was the most complete game on both sides of the ball that we have seen since the Urban-era. I went into the game expecting to win, but not like that. Florida dominated from the jump and came out with their first victory in conference play, beating UK 45-7.

Offensively, the game ball had to go to QB Luke Del Rio who was 19/32 for 320 yards 4TDs and 1 INT. He spread the ball around nicely and showed off a cannon that I doubt anyone knew he had when he connected on a 78 yard dime to WR Antonio Callaway, who finished with 129 yards on 5 catches. That lethal backfield I've been raving about made me proud as well. The star of the running game was freshman RB Lamical Perine, who finished with 1 TD and 133 total yards. The Gators backfield finished the game with 244 yards on the ground, pushing the total yardage to 564. Wait, wait, wait.... I know. You're probably thinking I made a typo with 564 yards, right? Nah, you read it right. That offensive line I've been praying for finally stepped up to keep the pocket clean and created some nice running lanes. Good job, guys!

It was almost laughable at how much our defense dominated Kentucky. DBU lived up to their moniker and held Kentucky's starting QB to 2/10 for 10 yards with 3 INTs. The return of CB Teez Tabor was very much welcomed, as he recorded his first pick of the season on an incredible read to jump an attempted screen pass. CB Quincy Wilson had the nastiest pick of the weekend in my opinion. Of course he got no love on ESPN, but take a look below at this absolute filth so you can see what I'm talking about. The front seven played amazing as well, recording 5 sacks and 1 forced fumble while holding UK to 149 total yards.

 

Week 3 Preview - North Texas vs. Florida

 

This week the Gators take on the North Texas Mean Green. This will be the second meeting between the schools, with North Texas winning the only matchup 20-12 in 1947.

Offense 
I think I speak for everyone when I say that I want to see an encore of last week's performance. I would hope that the team comes out with the same aggressive, kill-all mentality they had last week and have another blowout. This should be another confidence booster as they gear up for the much anticipated matchup with "rival" Tennessee next week. With everything I have seen behind the scenes, as well as what they have shown on the field, I feel like this is really just the tip of the iceberg of what is to come with Mac's offense. But what is that old saying? "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." I've been fooled enough, so I'm praying for another solid outing so we can finally shed this lifeless offensive shadow we have lived in, for what seems like, forever. The key is the same as last week's; if the offensive line keeps Del Rio clean, expect points! The running game should be solid again. WR Antonio Callaway is doubtful for the game and starting RG Tyler Jordan is out.

Defense
This defense is too hungry and too stingy to come out and lay an egg. As a unit, they have bailed this team out more times than we can count so don't expect anything less this week. They come into this game as the #2 defense in the country and want to prove that they are the best. They will come to play as always. Hopefully we can get a big lead and give our vets some rest while we also give the younger guys some time to develop.

Final Prediction: Florida over North Texas (3-0) (If I see another competent offense this weekend, I will pick a score next week. Just trying to save face here...)

Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators!

Chompin' at the Bit - Vol. 3

By: Blair McLendon 

Week 1 Recap

Coming off of a subpar and underwhelming performance in our season opener, the newly unranked Gators did get the win over UMass 24-7. Clearly I was off in my prediction in how much we would score. I kept thinking the entire game that a joke was being played on us. The offense let us all down... Again. I expected points! It was a tough day for the offensive line, as they struggled holding the line of scrimmage many times causing havoc in our backfield. I wish I could blame the rain on how we played on offense overall, but I can't.

RB Jordan Scarlett - Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

I thought we saw pretty decent play by QB Luke Del Rio in his first start, making some solid decisions and being efficient when he had time to throw. I would like to see him go through his reads a little longer before making the check down throw. RB Jordan Scarlett played a really good game for us. I am hoping he continues to get the bulk of the carries, as I think he is the back most likely to take it to the crib at any time. We also saw flashes of how good our receiving core could be. Losing WR Dre Massey to a season-ending knee injury does hurt, however we do get electric freshmen WRs Tyrie Cleveland and Rick Wells back this week. The bottom line is if the O-line doesn't get better, none of this matters because we will not be able to run, nor throw against better teams.

Defense played stingy as always, although they did give up three big plays. Overall, great game as they held UMass to 1/11 on 3rd downs and 187 yards total. Our front seven was everything that I expected. The D-line is ridiculous and have some beasts out there for sure! Then you have two of the best LBs in the country, in Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone. A+ in that department, guys! Now the secondary on the other hand... Kinda shaky at times. Definitely looking forward to CB Teez Tabor coming back this week and shoring up the side opposite Quincy Wilson. Pretty solid play on special teams as well. It feels so good to know we have a kicker again! Thank you, Eddy and thank you, Lord!

 

Week 2 Preview - Kentucky vs. Florida 

This week the Gators take on the University of Kentucky Wildcats, who are coming off of a loss to Southern Miss last week in their opener. The Gators come in looking to extend their current 29 game win streak over the Cats (longest streak in the nation against an annual opponent). Florida leads the all-time series between the schools 49-17.

Offense
Expect an expanded playbook this week. Last week we clearly saw a limited selection in the plays we ran, but with this being an SEC game, you will see a lot more of what we are capable of looking like going forward. Again.. If the O-line doesn't play better, all expectations should be thrown out of the window because we won't win many games. After last week's showing, RB Jordan Scarlett should get the bulk of the carries, but it will be interesting to see how much the other backs will play with this being a conference game where you could benefit from the continuity of featuring one guy, spelling him when needed. It will be nice to see what the receiving core, including TEs, bring this week. Hopefully they step up and make some plays.

Defense
Kentucky likes to pass the ball so this will be a good opportunity to test out how good DBU really is. Again, with Teez back in the lineup we should look a lot better as a defensive unit so I am not concerned. Hopefully we actually force a few turnovers this week. Our front seven will have plenty of opportunities to impose their will on inexperienced Soph. UK QB Drew Barker and he should be under duress a lot. The LB core will be another position group to pay attention to. With LB Daniel McMillian out a few weeks with a high ankle sprain, you will see a couple new faces in Soph. Kylan Johnson and Fr. David Reese and Jeremiah Moon.

Defenders Nick Washington, Teez Tabor, Jarrad Davis -  Photo Cred: gatorcountry.com

Final Prediction: Florida over Kentucky (2-0) (until I see consistency from the offense, I can't even embarrass myself by predicting any more scores)


Enjoy the weekend. Go Gators!