Gator Country previews Florida vs South Carolina by providing you our roundtable discussion.
What are the keys to Florida’s offense against the Gamecocks?
AS: Establish the running game early and take the crowd out of the game is the best way for this team. South Carolina has struggled against the run a lot this year and are allowing some explosive plays on the ground which should bode well for the Gators. Running the ball is the best way to quiet the crowd and it also gives Graham Mertz time in the pocket when they decide to throw the ball.
NM: The key to the Gators’ offense will be to rely on their ground game. South Carolina’s front seven has been inconsistent at best this season and the duo of Montrell Johnson and Trevor Etienne needs to be able to take full advantage of that. Work South Carolina’s defense from sideline to sideline and open up the middle up the field.
GH: It could be a rainy day in Columbia on Saturday, so the Gators must establish the run game early. South Carolina has the 73rd ranked rushing defense in the country, and a healthy backfield could cause some issues for the Gamecocks up front. Graham Mertz has been the definition of a game manager this season, but I’d like to see him complete the deeper passes this weekend and get rid of the football. Mertz could elevate the entire offense if he can complete those throws down the field.
What are the keys to Florida’s defense against the Gamecocks?
AS: Blitz Spencer Rattler and make him uncomfortable is the key here. Carolina’s OL has struggled this year a lot and has allowed a lot of pressure on Rattler so that’s a big need for Florida and Austin Armstrong.
NM: The Gators’ defense will need to contain Spencer Rattler in the pocket as the senior has 10 rushes of over 10+ yards. Rattler won’t run many designed runs, but he can beat you with his legs if you don’t keep him in the pocket. If the Gators don’t allow many explosive plays, I like the Gators in this one.
GH: The front seven will be the key for Florida’s defense on Saturday. The Gators struggled to fill gaps and make tackles against Kentucky but improved against Vanderbilt. Spencer Rattler isn’t the best quarterback when pressured, and the Gators have a good chance to take advantage of that if this defense can bring the physicality and shed blocks. Running back Mario Anderson has also been a big threat at times for the Gamecocks, and this defense can’t let him get going like Ray Davis did two weeks ago. Anderson rushed for 101 yards and a touchdown on 10 rushing attempts against Tennessee.
Who would you like to see get more snaps in week 7?
AS: With Andy Jean out, I’d like to see Tre Wilson get even more snaps since he’s back healthy again. Wilson can make explosive plays for this team.
NM: I’m going to agree with Gentry on this one and say Kam Waites. Waites saw his first set of significant snaps this season, logging 39 snaps against Vanderbilt in week six. Waites earned a pass block grade of 83.0, the second highest on the Gators in week six. Waites can play multiple positions across the offensive line and could be a difference maker for the Gators as they work through the middle part of the 2023 season. Waites appeared light on his feet while displaying quick hands.
GH: I’d like to see Kam Waites continue to get some snaps this weekend. Waites performed well when thrown into the game against Vanderbilt after coming off an achilles injury that happened back in January. I think we see Waites continue to impress this weekend against the Gamecocks.
Florida is just 1-7 on the road under Billy Napier. What does the Gators’ staff need to do to fix their road struggles?
AS: I don’t think there’s one thing in particular to point at except that they must get started quick in this game and get confidence. The worse thing that can happen is for this team to fall behind early and lose even more confidence. So starting fast is a key.
NM: Starting fast is the key for road games in the SEC. The Gators have not been able to overcome multiple score deficits under Napier. This team needs to play with a sense of urgency early in the game and execute at a high level.
GH: The sense of urgency we see from this team in the Swamp must carry over in Columbia this weekend. The preparation leading up to game day must change and it looks like Billy Napier fixed some things in that area. The biggest thing to pay attention to this weekend will be how this team looks in warmups and on their first possession. If we see a team that is jumping up and down, starts out fast and has some urgency, that’s a great sign. I think the success will flow if the Gators can capitalize on that.
Other keys to victory?
AS: Be physical, this South Carolina team has struggled up front on both sides of the ball this year so get nasty on both lines of scrimmages and make this game and a war in the trenches.
NM: The Gators have averaged 9.25 penalties a game on the road under Napier, including five games of 10+ penalties. Napier’s offense is not built to convert from behind the chains as Mertz and Napier are throwing a little over 9% of their passes 20+ yards downfield. Keeping a short down an distance will lead to a higher conversion rate on third downs.
GH: The Gators have committed 41 penalties in total this season, with 18 of those penalties coming from Kentucky and Vanderbilt alone. Something needs to change in that department, and I think that also starts with the passion and urgency we see from this team. Winning the turnover battle will once again be a factor this weekend, and the Gators must create turnovers and be smart offensively.
South Carolina is a two-point favorite over the Gators. How do you see this game going? Give us a score prediction.
AS: As much as I think Florida can win this game, I think South Carolina wins 24-14. Florida has to prove they can win on the road.
NM: I’m going to go 24-20 South Carolina. I can’t pick the Gators to win this game until they show me they are capable of winning on the road. Florida has the talent to win this game handily, but they must show up in Columbia.
GH: The struggles on the road for the Gators must end at some point, and I think it ends this weekend. I have the Gators winning 27-24.