Gator defense is teetering on the edge of historically bad
The Florida Gators defense is allowing 495 yards per game. In 2019 the Gators gave up 15 touchdowns in eight SEC games, they’ve already given up 13 this season through three. When Dan Mullen and players were asked about that stat after the game they all said something along the lines of it’s a unique year playing 10 SEC games. Well, sure, it is, but you haven’t played 10, you’ve played three in a row, something you did in 2019 as well.
This Florida defense is historically bad. Many people have compared this defense to the 2007 defense. It’s not. It’s worse.
Through three games the Gators have given up 100 points, the 2007 team gave up just 54, with a 31 point outing from Troy in there. In fact, 100 points are the most allowed by the Gators in any three-game span since 1917 when those Gators were outscored 175-7 over their final 3 games of the year. Through three games Florida is giving up an average of 33.3 points per game. The 2007 defense only gave up 25.5 and the worst scoring defense in Florida’s record book dates back to 1946 when the Gators’ defense allowed 29.3 points per game. This is an Aggie offense that scored just 17 points on this very same field three weeks ago to a Vanderbilt team that may go winless this year. Florida has already allowed 100 points to be scored in three games, the 2007 defense gave up 331 in 13 games. Stop comparing the 2020 defense to the 2007 defense because, frankly, it’s disrespectful to the 2007 team.
Florida has the best offense that they have had in more than a decade and it will be completely wasted by the worst Florida defense in more than 60 years.
Kyle Pitts disappearance
Kyle Pitts is a matchup nightmare and he showed it early on. With his 5-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, Kyle Pitts tied the single-season school record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end, equaling Cornelius Ingram (2007) and Kirk Kirkpatrick (1990). Pitts’ touchdown also broke the school record for career touchdown receptions by a tight end, as it was the 13th of his career, but he only had five catches against Texas A&M and three of those came on the first drive of the game. ESPN’s Holly Rowe reported that he was playing through a left foot injury. That would be devastating for the Gators, who will need to score 40 points a week to win games with this defense.
The defense is atrocious on key downs
If third and fourth downs are money downs Todd Grantham and the Gators are filing for bankruptcy.
Florida’s opponents have converted 27-of-46 third downs, a stunning 59% conversion rate. That’s unacceptable and ranks them 13th in the SEC, with only a putrid Ole Miss defense below them.
The Gators have also allowed opponents to convert 6-of-8 fourth-down attempts, 75%. That means the Gators, on key downs, are allowing opponents to convert or score on 61% of their opportunities. I’m not sure in what league that would be acceptable.
Welcome to Big 12 football
No defense, all offense, and the Gators offense remain impressive. This observation will simply be nice things about the offense because they deserve nice things after having to try to beat not only the other defense but theirs as well.
Kyle Trask has thrown for 300-plus yards in four games against SEC opponents, tying Chris Leak for the fifth-most outings in school history.
Trask posted the sixth 300-yard passing game of his career, tying John Reaves (1969-71) for the sixth-most 300-yard outings in school history.
With his 5-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter, Kyle Pitts tied the single-season school record for receiving touchdowns by a tight end, equaling Cornelius Ingram (2007) and Kirk Kirkpatrick (1990). Pitts’ touchdown on the first drive also broke the school record for career touchdown receptions by a tight end, as it was the 13th of his career.
Florida has scored at least 35 points in three consecutive games against SEC teams for the first time since 2008.
This is the 11th time UF reached 300 passing yards under Mullen, matching its total number of 300-yard outings in the 129 games comprising the 2008-17 seasons.
Toney. Toney! TONEY!
Kadarius Toney started the season contemplating opting out due to concerns over COVID-19. Three weeks in and he’s putting up the best numbers of his career and quickly opening eyes of NFL teams.
Saturday Toney set career-highs in receptions (7), receiving yards (92), and touchdown catches (2).
Toney’s 237 receiving yards through three games this season put him 23 yards shy of the highest season total for receiving yards in his career (260 on 25 receptions across 12 games in 2018).
So, congratulations to Kadarius, who is taking advantage of the opportunities set in front of him and making the most of his last season in Gainesville.