by Arnaldo
The 2012 season opens up on Saturday with Bowling Green coming to Gainesville, and the Gator Nation couldn't be more excited, or more nervous. The SEC isn't getting any easier. In fact, it may be even harder. This is the first time half of the preseason top 10 are in the same conference, and after the way the SEC made last year's Gators look, it's hard to inspire hope.
This particular match-up marks the last remnants of Urban Meyer at UF, or so we hope. He helped schedule this game to send his original head coaching job some money. It would've been a nice symbol of his great career. . . but we're done with that. It's time to focus on a new year.
What to Expect
I've heard some chatter along the lines of, "what if we lose to Bowling Green?" Cut it out. There is no losing this Saturday. We've conformed with not winning every single game since the end of the '09 season, even against teams that were once much inferior: Auburn, FSU, Georgia, South Carolina. Being in the SEC allows you to schedule a cupcake in week one to run a glorified scrimmage. If you've been watching NFL preseason games, this will be a lot like that. Later portions of the game will see a lot of second and third string players. Also keep in mind that we're under yet another transition with Brent Pease coming in as offensive coordinator. The Gators won't be in the business of running up the score, there may not even be much concern over the score as long as the Gators are winning. This game is all about individual performances in real game situations.
What to Look For
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Jacoby Brissett (left) and Jeff Driskel (right).
Both have changed their numbers since last season. |
Quarterbacks.
The single loudest storyline this week has been Will Muschamp's reluctance to name a starting quarterback, and it's hard to blame him. Jeff Driskel (6) and Jacoby Brissett (12) were recruited very similarly, ranked first and third quarterback prospects nationally. What we saw of them last year was also too similar: crumbling under pressure in impossible circumstances. Driskel was forced to play against the eventual national champions, while Brissett was forced to start against their runner-up. What we have now should be two much more experienced and confident passers. I realize it's easy to be nervous about such a glaring question mark on the depth chart, but close competition is always good for the team. Muschamp isn't looking for a two quarterback system. He's looking for a starter, and a live game is the perfect place to find one. Rest assured that on the way to College Station, Texas, the Gators will have their starting quarterback.
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| Mike Gillislee |
Mike Gillislee.
The transition from Urban Meyer's spread option to Will Muschamp's pro-style hasn't been easy. It's not just about playbooks and audibles; it's about players, and at runningback, we found ourselves with two incredibly talented spread option type playmakers. Speedy option pitchmen, open space runners, track stars. In a pro-style, downhill running attack, however, Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey were rendered almost useless. Then-offensive coordinator, Charlie Weis, had to experiment with nearly extinct formations like the pistol and full house just to keep them somewhat effective. Mike Gillislee (23) was recruited to be an inside option back. This means he's supposed to be running in between the tackles, but still in a system that utilizes deception and open space to succeed. The old Mike Gillislee would still not fit in. The new Mike Gillislee might. He claims to have put on 10 pounds and both him and Will Mushchamp won't shut up about it. "I was very impressed with his lunch-pail attitude," he said on the last day of camp. "1,500 yards rushing and 24 touchdowns. That's my goal. That's what I want to do. If not, then come close," said Gillislee. If you know anything about season long runningback stats, you know he shouldn't even come close, but good for him for setting a goal that can motivate him to get as close as he can. Also keep an eye our for true freshman Matt Jones (24) around the end of the game, who was actually recruited by size and skill to fit into our offense.
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| Andre Debose |
Receiving corps. The 2011 edition of the Florida Gators was not known for offensive production. Most third downs seemed to be converted by the jack-of-all-trades tight end Jordan Reed (11). John Brantley seemed to only make passes between the hashes so as far as the receivers are concerned, it's unfair to call them untalented, but more-so unproven. With just as unproven quarterbacks, it's gonna be a two-pronged effort at improving each position. Top receivers returning from last year are Quinton Dunbar (1), Latroy Pittman (13), Andre Debose (4), and Frankie Hammond Jr (85). All have incredible potential, but will have to vastly improve. At tight end, expect a lot more of Jordan Reed (11). The more interesting position is the back-up tight end role. More offenses now a days are using multiple tight end sets and more tight end plays in general, making depth at tight end crucial. With the departure of A.C. Leonard, a huge disparity is left between Reed and his supporters. Look to see who steps up between Clay Burton (88) (yes, Trey's little brother) or maybe receiver-turned-tight end Omarius Hines (88), who was used sparingly last year in sweeps and other specialty plays.
Defense. I can't hype this defense up enough. It's a squad that's been slowly rebuilding since the 07-09 stellar club, and they're still young. 2011's defense ranked 8th nationally in total defense and that was with an injured Dominique Easley (2) and another "transition" at defensive minded head coach, Will Mushchamp, and defensive coordinator, Dan Quinn. This year, the front line is healthy and don't forget that all three Easley, Omar Hunter, and Sharrif Floyd were all 5 star recruits. The real storyline here is the injured Ronald Powell (7) at the hybrid defensive tackle/outside linebacker (buck) position. He claims to be healthy and should return midseason. His replacement Lerentee McCray (34) should do his part just fine, but remains a question mark comparatively.
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| Dominique Easley, and America |
Calling the linebackers solid would be an understatement. If you've watched Gator football in the last two years you don't need to be told how good Jon Bostic (1) and Jelani Jenkins (3) are. Chances are you'll hear one of their names being called after each tackle. The weak link is Darrin Kitchens (49) who has had field time but was almost murdered against FSU last year. He was the player who laid motionless on the field at the beginning of the second half and needed to be carted off. He's fine now but will need to play well to stay out of the shadow of the other two linebackers. The safety position is more than complete with Matt Elam (22) and Josh Evans (9), two players who shone as underclassmen and are now out of excuses to be anything short of All-Americans. Matt Elam led the team in tackles for loss (11) last year complimenting 78 tackles and two interceptions. Not on the depth chart is De'Ante "Pop" Saunders (26) who is nursing a hamstring injury and is scheduled to return by week 3. Saunders led an impressive Freshman year with 28 tackles and 2 interceptions. Cornerbacks are up in the air in competition between Marcus Roberson (5), Cody Riggs (31), Loucheiz Purifoy (15), and Jaylen Watkins (14). Muschamp isn't too worried, planning on using all four in several nickel and dime packages. My only point of concern with this defense was last year's lack of turnovers, with only 8 interceptions.
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| Caleb Sturgis |
Caleb Sturgis. Yes, he's still here. Redshirt senior Caleb Sturgis (19) is probably the best kicker in the nation, if he can stay healthy, which has been an issue the last few years. The Lou Groza Award finalist believes he can make anything within 60 yards, and I believe him. What you need to really watch for is the implementation of the new kickoff rules and how they'll affect the game. As of this season, like in the NFL, kick offs will be set up at the 35 yard line, but unlike the NFL, a touchback puts the ball at the 25 yard line. This leaves very little incentive to return the ball, but a lot of incentive to change the way kickers kick the ball. A team confident they can stop a returner before the 25 yard line may strategically try to place the ball inside the 5 yard line to give the returner some reason to catch and return it. Depending on how Muschamp wants to experiment with these new rules, Sturgis may be asked to soften kickoffs.
Arnaldo's prediction:
Florida wins 45-6
When asked, some people would say that Florida State is Florida greatest rival, and these people are called idiots. While it is a great rivalry which in the past has had huge National Championship implications, it's no longer the '90s. Sure both programs are back on the rise, but Florida-Georgia has ALWAYS somehow determined the SEC East champion. Florida and Georgia have been playing each other for 33 years before Florida ever consistently met Florida State. The Bulldogs lead the series all-time 47-40-2, but the Gators have won 18 of the last 22 meetings. 
Let's Diversify this Offense - The media couldn't shut up last week about how many points our offense scored against how many yards they gained. It was almost as if they were trying to negate the production altogether. South Carolina fields the 15th best defense in points against in the NCAA, and always remember these statistics have to stand against teams from joke conferences whose teams are easier to defend. Still, the Jeff Driskel led passing game was not convincing. Muschamp and Pease hide nothing about the offense's identity: we are a run first team, but they cannot be pleased with the lack of diversity the Gators are showing. Florida hasn't broken over 100 yards passing since the Kentucky beatdown. Yes, I'm preaching to the choir at this point, having mentioned it every week since then, but passing needs to improve, and so does the pass protection. Remember, if the Gators win this weekend, they have their tickets stamped to Atlanta for the SEC Championship game against a very likely Alabama, and fewer than 100 passing yards will not beat Nick Saban.
Georgia v. Brent Pease - The Dawgs were victorious against the Gators last year but they didn't find such luck in the out-of-conference season opener against Boise St. and a Brent Pease led offense. The Broncos put up 390 total yards in a 35-21 victory. Pease optimistically said, "We are running the Boise State offense, other than probably Kellen Moore couldn’t do some of the runs that Jeff [Driskel] can." While we haven't seen the prolific Boise St. offense at Florida quite yet, the skill level difference of SEC defenses is considerable. Here's hoping, Brent. 
