Florida Gators football mailbag: Post SEC Championship game

The Florida Gators finished the season with a 8-3 record after falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship game last Saturday.

Dan Mullen and the Florida Gators will finish their season on December 30^th when they take on Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl.

GatorCountry asked all of our members for their questions on the 2020 season as well as the future of the program.

We answer those questions in this new edition of football mailbag. I’m going to split this into a two part series since we had a lot of questions. Here’s part one.

G8trdave: Will Emory and/or Richardson get a lot of snaps in the bowl game?

AS: I expect to see Emory Jones get some playing time in the game but Mullen will allow Kyle Trask to play a good bit to honor his career as a Gator.

G8trdave: Bama’s o-line was monstrous against our d-line. In your opinion, are we fixing that? I feel like we had a much better d-line last year.

AS: Yes and no, I know that’s not a true answer but let me try and explain. They’re getting some guys to help with that but also they’re getting some guys that are simply not that elite defensive lineman either. Guys like Princely, Gervon Dexter and Jalen Lee are going to help this team a lot next year in that department.

Mjbuf05: Do you think our lack of running game the last two years is due to Mullen not having a running threat at QB? We ran is great in 2018 with Franks at the helm.

AS: The lack of running game the last two years has been a product of an offensive line that simply couldn’t run block. Florida didn’t intend to be so pass heavy but when you’re pretty much guaranteed no more than a few yards on a running play then the ability to do that is not there. Florida will have to improve up front next year as running the ball is Emory’s strong suit so I would expect Florida to be more run happy next year if they’re able to. That will decide how good this will be.

OklahomaGator: What is the practice schedule going to be with Christmas coming right in the middle?

AS: The team will do light stuff and mostly virtual things until the day after Christmas and then they will be back on the practice field..

Macbgator: Who are our recruit candidates for the slot position, now that Montgomery is gone?

AS: Out of this year’s class it’s Daejon Reynolds but I could see Jacob Copeland even sliding into that role a little more next year as he’s a guy that can take the jet sweeps and such for this team.

Fubar1: How many times a game will Dan have Emory run it next year?

AS: Florida will be more run happy next year for sure as Emory’s game is running the ball and throwing off the run fakes. Mullen just needs the offensive line to improve for that to happen.

NYGator96: Will AR pose a significant challenge to Emory at QB, or does EJ have it basically locked up?

AS: Mullen likes to play veteran quarterbacks and also Emory is ahead of Richardson at this time. Emory is the guy for next year heading into spring practice.

90Gator: What’s the 2021 starting OLine look like to you?

AS: Left tackle is the biggest concern and need in the transfer portal but if I have to name a starting line out of the current guys on the roster it will go like this but Gouraige is a guard and didn’t look good at tackle this year.

Gouraige, Simonds, White, Braun and Tarquin.

Blackbird68: Which players, other than Pitts, do you expect to opt out or will not play in the Bowl because of injury? Which players will replace those in the lineup?

AS: It doesn’t sound like anyone else is planning to opt out at this time but that could easily change. A lot of guys want one more game to play with this team.

Mbgator: What is the real story behind Shawn Davis and Moon? I know Moon had a foot injury a long time ago , Davis …no clue

AS: Moon had the foot injury and just didn’t recover as quickly as they had hoped and Shawn Davis had a knee injury and is still recovering.

Djohnston: Expectations for next year’s team? Feel like offense maybe takes a slight step back depending on OL ability to run block but defense has to be better I imagine

AS: The offense will be as good as the line allows it to be. They will be more run heavy but that all depends on the line. Mullen has proven that the skill position guys will be ready.

GulfBreezeGator: Which Seniors do you expect to return for another season?

AS: At this time I don’t believe any of them are planning to return. I’ve heard that Stewart Reese has entertained the idea of returning but I believe he will move on as well.

GulfBreezeGator: Toney and Grimes will certainly go pro. What about Copeland? Does he return for another season?

AS: Jacob Copeland will be back for the Gators next year and should have a big season for the Gators.

Juggernautz: What’s your take on the Sooners?

AS: They’ve improved throughout the year for Lincoln Riley and they will be a good match-up for the Gators. I’m a big fan of Riley and I think the young quarterback for them will continue to improve.

Juggernautz: Do you think Bama will waltz thru their opponents to win the NC?

AS: Absolutely, this Alabama team is so good, they have weapons everywhere and they’re really good on offense. Saturday’s game was the closes anyone will be to them this year.

Gatorzfan: Do you believe Bowman will get the majority of touches out of backfield? 75% or more.

AS: I don’t think so, Mullen likes to split up carries between his backs. I would believe that Bowman, Davis and Pierce get most of the touches though.

Travlingator: It seems like Wingo got very little PT this year. Do you think he will have a significant role next year as LB is a position of great need. I personally thought he would have had some impact this year but I was disappointed to see that not being the case.

AS: I think he will play a lot next year and he would’ve played more this year had he been able to be on the practice field more but he missed close to three weeks this year.

Atllagator: Based on our snap counts this season it seems as though the coaches have 5 and a half guys that they trust enough to put on the field. Is the drop off that noticeable and is it a physical stature thing or a not knowing the scheme thing?

AS: Tarquin and Braun needed more time to get up to college speed and the lack of offseason practices really hurt them. Outside of them two and White the Gators don’t have anyone they trust at this time.