Thoughts of the Week: September 24 – September 30

I had a heckuva week this past week. On Tuesday, I flew up to Philadelphia to see one of my best friends. Had the opportunity to check out Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Art Museum, Eastern State Penitentiary, City Hall, and eat a delicious cheesesteak at Jim’s Steaks. After spending a few days gallivanting around the city, I headed up to Valley Forge, then Princeton University, and then finally made my way to Clinton, NJ to see one of my very close friends get married. Quite the week, but I, man, I am tired – not built like I once was!

This was a good week for my thoughts, however. I had the chance to really reflect on the Gators game against Alabama and prepare for their game against Tennessee this week.

As we suspected, we heard the usual coach talk and player talk – nobody accepted blame, everyone said they could play better/execute better, and everyone said they will move on. I call “bull crap”, in much nicer words. After reflecting even more on the Alabama game, Florida was even worse than I even said they were. I still cannot believe how out-coached they were, how poor they were with fundamentals, and how the passion that I used to see on the Florida bench just wasn’t there anymore – players hung their heads, barely congratulated each other, and jogged not ran on/off the field. I saw a defeated team only three games into the season – I failed to see that they were the same Will Muschamp says they are – “a good football team.” Maybe I am dwelling on a point, but if that is the attitude they have three games in, what happens when they are facing a loss to a team that they “shouldn’t” lose to?

Pregame Thoughts on Tennessee

1. Florida will have difficulty with Jalen Hurd like they did with Derrick Henry. Henry gashed the Gators for 111 yards on 20 carries with many of his yards coming after the initial first hit and often pinballed off of Florida tacklers all afternoon. At 6-foot-3, 241 pounds Henry proved to be a challenge, so expect the 6-foot-3, 227 Hurd to be just as difficult to tackle and bring down. Over the past four games, Hurd has progressively had more yards, a better average, and has done so against two pretty good teams in Oklahoma and Georgia. Look for a big game by Hurd. But if the Gators want to stop Hurd – stop the delayed draw, a play that allowed Hurd to gain 18 and 19 yards respectively.
2. Florida must sack the quarterback to win the game. Florida ranks 68th in sacks per game, but Tennessee is 111th in sacks allowed per game and ultimately, has a pretty poor offensive line across the board. The Gators need to bring the blitz and bring it often and that means more than just Dante Fowler and Neiron Ball. We need to see more of the interior lineman and, especially, Jonathan Bullard. The Gators need to go after Kyler Kerbyson, their guard, and target him all game.
3. The Gators need to get in the red zone. They are currently ranked 22nd in the country in Red Zone conversions and Tennessee is ranked 118th in opponent Red Zone conversion percentage – meaning they are awful – all nine times an opponent has entered the Red Zone, Tennessee has allowed them score (7 touchdowns, 2 Field Goals).
4. Florida needs to get better on third down stops. Currently, the Gators are ranked 101st in the country – dropping drastically (26th to 98th) after the Alabama game – a game they allowed Alabama to convert 12 of 16 attempts. They need to improve on third down pass defense, ranked 71st in the country, most importantly. The Gators need Marcus Maye, Brian Poole. Jabari Gorman and the rest of the secondary to really step up. A secondary so talented, should not be giving up the big play, especially when the rest of the defense is so strong on third down rush defense – 10th in the country for only 7 yards on 17 carries.
5. The Gators need to get better on penalties. The Gators are ranked 103rd in the country compared to Tennessee’s 4th – meaning the Gators are giving up a free 43 yards. In a game that should be tight, those 43 yards could be a make or break statistic.

#CheckerNeyland Will Go Poorly

If you haven’t heard yet, the Volunteers and Butch Jones are asking fans to “Checker Neyland” through a grassroots campaign, with each section alternating between white and puke orange. However, Tennessee is not providing t-shirts for each section and I highly doubt 100,000 will check a website and wear the appropriate color. I see about 60% of the fans participating correctly and it looking like a simple Volunteer game. Valiant effort, but if you want fans to participate force them by giving them a shirt or sign. Next time you will learn.

Gators in National Rankings

Matt Jones – Rushing Yards/Game – 49th
Jeff Driskel – Passing Yards/Game – 63rd
Demarcus Robinson – Receiving Yards/Game – 7th
Andre Debose – Punt Return Yards/Game – 4th
Andre Debose – Kick Return Yards/Game – 31st
Frankie Velez – Place Kicking Percentage – 16th
Frankie Velez – PAT Kicking Percentage – 1st
Kyle Christy – Punt Yard Average – 1st
Frankie Velez – Scoring Per Game – 15th
Jeff Driskel – Total Offense – 66th
Demarcus Robinson – All-Purpose Yards – 64th
Demarcus Robinson – Yards from Scrimmage – 36th
Matt Jones – Yards from Scrimmage – 89th
Neiron Ball – Sacks/Game – 70th
Alex McCalister – Sacks/Game – 70th
Keanu Neal – Interceptions/Game – 14th
Brian Poole – Interceptions/Game – 87th
Antonio Morrison – Interceptions/Game – 87th
Duke Dawson – Interceptions/Game – 87th
Vernon Hargreaves – Passes Defended – 40th
Keanu Neal – Passes Defended – 82nd
Neiron Ball – Fumbles Forced/Game – 42nd
Dante Fowler – Fumbles Forced/Game – 42nd
Leon Orr – Fumbles Forced/Game – 42nd
Keanu Neal – Fumbles Forced/Game – 42nd
Caleb Brantley – Fumbles Forced/Game – 42nd
Austin Hardin – Kickoff Average – 29th

Dan’s Heisman Rankings

1. Todd Gurley
2. Marcus Mariota
3. Kenny Hill

Must Read Articles of the Week

Jenna Wortham | The Unrepentant Bootlegger
Ferris Jabr | The Body Electric
Jennifer Gonnerman | Before the Law
William Langewiesche | Should Airlines Be Flying Themselves?
Sarah Bailey | How Lecrae, Christian Rapper, Mixed Hip Hop And Theology To Find Mainstream Success
Ta-Nehisi Coates | No, Hope Solo Is Not “Like” Ray Rice
Andrew Burt | “Your Future Is Very Dark”
Emily Wax-Thibodeaux | At CIA Starbucks, even the baristas are covert

Song of the Week

It is that time of week again where I have free reign to pimp out the name of a musical artist that I really like. Many moons ago I exposed you all to Michael Ray and I wanted to do it again. He will kill it in the business and you all need to keep early tabs on him.

He is from Eustis, FL — so Central Florida stand-up.