Florida v. Jacksonville State

by Arnaldo

Identity crisis.  The Gators have one, and at the worst possible time.  Playing down to their opponent last week, Florida escaped the upset in a nail-biter... against non-BCS Louisiana-Lafayette.  A loss would've destroyed the season.  It would've been the first loss to a non-BCS team since 1988 against Memphis State (what we would considered non-BCS since the BCS wasn't formed until 1998).  At the height of the Florida season the identity was clear: run the ball, play good defense.  It's a philosophy that's not circumstantial.  Will Muschamp likes it and is likely to keep implementing it throughout his tenure.  But the product on the field today can't find the first down marker.  A quarterback who still hasn't gotten comfortable in the pocket.  Receivers who can't shake off defenders to get open, and seem to always be in the wrong place at the wrong time.  A running back who made it on everyone's radars early and has subsequently been shut down.  A rattled and tired offensive line.

"IT'S THE RAGIN' CAJUNS!"

There's no magic cure at this point.  These are the cards we're dealt.  But a lot can be cleaned up.  Florida has shown what kind of team it can be.  That Texas A&M squad that dethroned No. 1 Alabama last week, was first beaten by Florida.  That powerful LSU rushing attack was held to 42 yards by Florida, while we ran the ball the last 17 of 18 plays to score twice.  Steve Spurrier's 9th ranked Gamecocks watched as we stole the ball four times to rack up 44 points.  Don't forget that the Gators can play.  The focus of this week should be execution, drive, and a way out of this rut.


The Match-up


It's pretty one sided.  I'm aware that I said the same thing about Missouri, only to later admit that they're a formidable SEC foe.  I'm aware that the following week I predicted a huge rout against Louisiana-Lafayette, calling it a cupcake match.  Admittedly, I am not wrong and the Gators' performance was an embarrassment.  However, Jacksonville State is an FCS team (Divison 1-AA).  It won't be impossible to lose, but it's incredibly unlikely.


Jacoby Brissett - It's official: Jeff Driskel will not play on Saturday.  Driskel sprained his right ankle last week on a short run in the third quarter while the Gators still led 13-10.  Brissett took over on a shaky start.  His first four throws included a near interception and two sacks, but he improved on the game-tying drive where he went three for three for 48 yards and a touchdown.  Will Muschamp's philosophy is "man down, man up" and it's no different at the quarterback position.  Both Will Muschamp and Brent Pease are very confident in Brissett's ability and don't look to change much for him at the helm.  “I still think we stay within our philosophy,’’ Pease said. “I think we’ve got a pretty good recipe. Is it totally what you want it to be in the big picture? No, there’s things we’ve got to improve on. There are pieces you can put in. I’m glad we’ve got two good [quarterbacks], three good ones."  Keep in mind that Driskel and Brissett's skillset vary but their talents are similar.  It wasn't until the end of the first game when a starter was chosen.  As high school prospects, Driskel was ranked the no. 1 quarterback while Brissett was close behind at no. 3.  Expect Brissett to lead the offense well while Driskel recovers for Florida State. 


Execution - A game like this one should be used to perfect the little things.  Route timing, ball exchanges, proper tackling, generally speaking: execution.  The Gators did not execute well against the Ragin' Cajuns.  Ten penalties for 79 yards almost sounds moderate for Florida, but they were costly and as always, completely unnecessary.  These included a Lerente McCray offsides on a third down that prevented a ULL punt and a Loucheiz Purifoy pass interference on another third down to grant the Ragin' Cajuns their touchdown drive.  Mental errors like Clay Burton's dropped end zone pass or Mike Gillislee's continued inability to break 80 yards rushing for the fifth consecutive game also require execution improvement.  If the Gators can't execute against the Jacksonville State Gamecocks this Saturday, executing against Florida State will be a nightmare. 

Marques Ivory (12)

Gamecocks - Sit back and prepare yourselves for a second round of inappropriate Gamecock jokes.  Jacksonville State University is located in Jacksonville, Alabama (in case you were mistaking them for JU down the road).  A small public institution that fields a middle-of-the-pack 6-4 Ohio Valley Conference FCS football team.  The Gamecocks do know how to move the ball.  They average 430.9 yards per game.  Quarterback Marques Ivory and receiver Allan Bonner shared a five-touchdown game earlier this season.  Keep in mind, however, this is against other FCS opponents.  Their only other FBS match-up this season was against Arkansas in a 49-24 loss, the very same Arkansas who is third to last in the SEC.


Receivers - Jordan Reed can't do it all.  Week in and week out, we expect somebody to stand out of this corps only to be let down.  Andre Debose might still be nursing a hyperextended knee and Soloman Patton's broken arm isn't healing any time soon.  Brissett will be looking for the same targets.  Seniors Frankie Hammond Jr and Omarius Hines have all the motivation in the world to go out strong in their last home game, while true freshmen Latroy Pittman and Raphael Andrades may have a lot to prove looking towards the future.


Senior Night - This Saturday marks the home closer at Florida Field for seniors to be recognized.  The names you've heard for the last four years, Xavier Nixon, Josh Evans, Jon Bostic, Nick Alajajian, Mike Gillislee, Omar Hunter, Lerente McCray, Omarius Hines, Frankie Hammond Jr., and Caleb Sturgis, among those you haven't, will all be delivering flowers to their parents and receiving their final ovations as Gators before the game.


Looking Ahead - It's no secret.  Florida State means A LOT to this team.  Jacksonville State is the last hurdle and real-game experience time for the Gators to work on the aforementioned execution woes.  A win against both teams would leave the Gators 11-1, tied for the best record in the SEC, and a sure lock at a BCS bowl game.  Not too shabby a second season for Will Mushcamp.  What lies between: execution.


Arnaldo's prediction:

Florida wins 45 - 6