I have heard several coaches make this reference and it really is true. The best part about being 3-0 is that it means that 4-0 is still possible. The Florida Gators are now 3-0. There are those who seem to feel that it is somehow an ugly 3-0. I disagree. First let’s take a look at game three by itself.
Yes, it was North Texas. No, the Mean Green are not a powerhouse program. The “Green” apparently refers to envy. I did see a little evidence of the “Mean” part but more on that later. North Texas is the kind of team a top tier program should handle at least somewhat easily. I think Florida did just that.
The offense got off to a somewhat slow start. I tried to tell Gator fans last week that the entire offense depends on Antonio Callaway to at least some extent. Now, don’t get me wrong, Brandon Powell and DeAndre Goolsby are contributing nicely but it is the presence of Callaway on the field that dictates how opposing defenses must react. Not only does he force safeties off of the line to open up the running game but Antonio also helps create mismatches for the other receivers and tight ends. He was certainly missed on Saturday while the Gator quarterbacks combined for 16 of 29 for only 216 yards passing, no touchdowns and an interception.
The running game fared much better with 255 yards, a 5.9 yards per carry and four different backs scoring a touchdown. If the Gators can match those kind of numbers against Tennessee, Florida wins on Saturday. Mark Thompson had easily his best game as a Gator with 85 yards and a touchdown on eleven carries. The concern here is that Gator fans do not know yet if that was a sign of the offensive line coming together or just an overmatched opponent. That question will be answered this week. It is also reason for concern that coach Jim McElwain continues to challenge the offense to make plays on 4th and short and the offense continues to struggle. I firmly believe this is why McElwain has gone for it on fourth at times when just kicking the field goal would have been more prudent. He needs to know what his team is capable of if the decision must be made in a big game. I doubt he feels real warm and fuzzy about it at this point.
Of course the biggest news for the offense is the injury to starting quarterback Luke Del Rio on what appears to me to be a blatant cheap shot by a North Texas defense that was frustrated in the game. There is no place in college football for that kind of play. The loss of Del Rio could play a huge factor in the upcoming game against Tennessee. Power Five programs don’t pay you big bucks to come play so you can affect their championship aspirations by intentionally trying to hurt someone. Senior transfer Austin Appleby will need to step up and play a smart game in Knoxville.
Eddie Pineiro had a perfect day hitting his only field goal attempt and all three extra points. Do not be surprised if the game in Knoxville comes down to Eddie’s foot to determine the outcome. By that I don’t necessarily mean a last minute field goal. It could be a couple of tries earlier in the game that he either hits or misses. I like the fact that his confidence is high coming into this critical contest.
What more can you say about the defense. A week ago Kentucky was sitting on just ten passing yards almost midway through the fourth quarter. This week North Texas had just 19 yards of total offense at halftime and a mere 53 yards of offense for the entire game. The Mean Green had minus 13 yards rushing. Yes, that’s a negative 13 yards rushing the ball. That my friends is domination. Florida leads the nation in total defense allowing just 44 yards a game and holding opponents to under 20% on third down conversions. Opponents are completing only 34% of their passes. The Gators also leads the nation in scoring defense at 4.67 points per game. Florida ranks second in sacks with 5.3 per game and 7 on Saturday. Of course the competition ramps up beginning this week but those numbers are astonishing. There is no sense in recognizing individual play on this side of the ball because everyone is playing extremely well.
The Gators will face a much better offensive line in Knoxville than what they have seen thus far. If Florida continues to play defense at the current level they have a realistic chance in every game left on their schedule. If the run defense is as stout this Saturday, the Gators will leave Knoxville with their 12th straight win in the series. Tennessee MUST be able to run the ball against the Gators to have any chance of winning the game unless Florida turns the ball over a lot.
Which brings me back to the Luke Del Rio injury. Del Rio has been running the offense very efficiently. With Luke taking the snaps I felt very confident of a Gator win on Saturday. I am not nearly as confident now. We just do not know what to expect from Appleby against a very good Vols defense. If Austin makes mistakes and turns the ball over it will be difficult for Florida to win this game. If he avoids the urge to do too much and takes what the defense gives him, this is still a very winnable game for the Gators. I cannot stress enough how important it is for Appleby to have Callaway on the field for this game. If Antonio is still out or noticeably limited Austin’s job gets much more difficult. If Antonio is healthy and effective look for Brandon Powell to get mismatch opportunities early and often as well more running lanes for the backs. That can be exploited by McElwain and Doug Nussmeier. Unless the Gator offense helps Tennessee score it should only take about twenty points to win this game.
To say this is a big game is a huge understatement. The winner of the game will be in the driver’s seat for the SEC East title. A win Saturday would catapult the Gators back into the national spotlight. I imagine it would also draw the attention of a few recruits as well. Games like this are what being a Gator or a Gator fan is all about. This one has been circled on everyone’s calendar all summer long. It is unfortunate that Florida goes into the game without the starting quarterback but Austin Appleby transferred to Florida for just this kind of opportunity. Seize the day young man. Let’s come out of Saturday with a chance to go 5-0 the next week.