After all these months of anticipation, the Florida Gators will open their season Saturday against Hawaii, a team with a new coach and only nine returning starters after a record-setting 2007. June Jones has departed for SMU and in his place is Greg McMackin, Hawaii’s defensive coordinator under Jones. The offense will be the familiar run and shoot but there’s a brand new quarterback and someone new calling the plays when the Warriors take the field for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
The fifth-ranked Gators are 3-0 in season openers under Urban Meyer and they’re 38-1 in season openers played in Gainesville. For the Gators to make it 4-0 in Meyer’s season openers they have to be ready for an unorthodox passing attack that’s like nothing else they will see this season.
Hawaii’s quick throwing attack that is run out of a spread. It is capable of big plays, but it forces you to be patient because of its nature. It also requires that you make good open field tackles and they will try to manipulate the clock and shorten the game. Last year’s record-setting quarterback Colt Brennan is off the the NFL and the Washington Redskins, leaving juco transfer Brent Rausch to take over the QB spot. He has three returnees in front of him on the offensive line to ease the transition, but you have to believe facing an SEC team in front of a packed house at The Swamp will be a new experience for him. If there is a change in the offensive philosophy, expect it to be on the ground. McMackin might try to run the football more than Hawaii did last year to use some clock and keep the ball out of the hands of Tim Tebow and that explosive Florida offense. When the Warriors throw, they will spring out their quarterbacks to get them outside the ends, creating a clear path to get the pass off. Everything about the run and shoot is based on rhythm. If you disrupt the timing and rhythm it’s an offense that can look very bad.
Florida will counter Hawaii with a nickel and dime package. I expect UF to play a lot of three-man lines, daring Hawaii to run up the middle. UF’s advantage will be with its edge pressure and speed of its defensive ends. Florida will also start in bump coverage, even if it’s a disguised zone. It is important for the corners to recognize the combination route coming to them and pass off the receivers in zone. Hawaii wants you to run man-to-man because they will pick apart the flats. Florida’s outside linebackers/nickel backs will have to really close and be active in any blitz packages for the Gators.
Hawaii’s defense was actually ranked ahead of Florida’s last season. The Warriors will blitz and move around on you with their defensive front. Hawaii has been very successful at causing turnovers and gambling to make big plays. I would expect them to start in a four down set up front but possibly have a nickel back in versus the spread. UF should be able to run the football effectively at them and wear them down. Hawaii was 10th in the country in interceptions last season, which makes sense considering the passing attack they see in practice every day.
Florida will look to establish its new ground attack with Emmanuel Moody, Kestahn Moore and Chris Rainey. Florida ran for over 200 yards per game last year and that is the goal this season. By getting this part of the game going and establishing threats at the tailback position it will open up the play action game for Tim Tebow. If Hawaii blitzes, expect Tebow to show some newfound pocket presence and get the ball to big play receivers Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper. Dan Mullen has never been one to be vanilla with his offense and I expect him to have some wrinkles in the game plan to give Miami something to work on. If Florida can take care of business in the first three quarters, look for the backup quarterbacks to get some work in the fourth.
THIS AND THAT: I expect Florida to have some starters out for this game but they should be ready to go for the Miami game … Hawaii averaged 43 points per game last season and converted nearly 48 percent on third down. They will go for it on fourth down as well converting 45 percent of the time in 2007 on 20 attempts … Florida is 5-0 all-time versus teams from the Western Athletic Conference. Included in those five wins was a 59-21crushing of San Jose State in 1991 in which Brady Ackerman toted the rock three times for 12 yards … I look for Florida to use more misdirection in the run game this season. For example the counter play with both backs on the field could be one of their better run plays in 2007 … I think we could see plenty of Tebow runs in the second quarter if UF is struggling on offense … The offense has not really had everyone together for any extended period of camp, but this week should be important.
Florida will line William Green up at defensive end as you know, but keep an eye on him. He may stand up and rush off the edge instead of putting his hand on the ground. Green has unbelievable quickness and can rush from both upright and hand down positions … Will Hill will play in this game. Hill is going to be a Louis Oliver type safety at Florida. Hill and Janoris Jenkins are ball hawkers and will help the secondary improve on the 11 interceptions of one season ago … Urban Meyer named 11 captains this past week which was pretty amazing. The true leaders of the team are Tebow and Brandon Spikes … I think Florida’s four wide receiver set will be Louis Murphy and Riley Cooper on the outside with Deonte Thompson and Carl Moore on the inside. I also think you will see the lineup of Hernandez at tight end, Rainey or Moody at running back and Kestahn Moore in as a slot or wingback. Also look for a set that includes Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey.
Coming up this week: Gator Talk on Wednesday Night (TBA) plus “Brady’s Breakdown” on Gator Country TV coming Friday. Email me your comments to brady@gatorcountry.com.