The expectations that were placed on the Florida Gators (5-2, 3-1 SEC) were incredibly low with a projected win total of 5.5 wins, according to most established betting services. Despite many struggles on both sides of the football, the Gators are sitting at five total wins through seven weeks.
This offense is led by some experienced players who’ve played a significant amount of football, but this is a very young team for the most part and that’s been evident at times. However, as the games continue to get played, this offense has only improved and is growing up at the perfect time.
The Gators have faced several tough defenses so far this season but face their biggest challenge to date as they travel to take on the top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Jacksonville.
“Yeah, I mean, we’re having a blast,” Graham Mertz said on the growth and chemistry offensively. “I think the biggest thing with the young guys we do have in there, they’re growing up, they’re playing really their first college ball. It’s been cool to kind of see them mature through that process, really just understand what goes into the workweek, how to take care of your body, how to prep. A lot of guys around us are getting their first snaps. Not anymore, they play a lot of ball now, but they’ve gone through that process of maturing and understanding what goes into winning football. That’s been fun.”
The offense took a huge step forward against the Gamecocks in terms of consistency and execution, which allowed things to open up down field. These players expect to execute at a high level and that’s exactly what this offense did in Columbia.
It wasn’t perfect by any means as there were several mistakes in some areas, but this offense proved that they can be a big threat at times after finishing with 494 total yards and 28 first downs.
“We took big strides. I think it was more we were clicking on all cylinders, got the run and pass game going. We knew it was going to be a passing game. Knew they were going to give us a lot of man looks. Just took advantage of it. I think we always had that chip on our shoulder that we can go out there and score as many points as possible,” Ricky Pearsall said on the strides offensively. “I think it’s on us at the end of the day.”
A few notable freshmen have completely elevated this offense in 2023. Both players have earned major roles due to their production on the field and unfortunate injuries offensively.
Tight end Arlis Boardingham and wide receiver Tre Wilson have combined for a total of 456 yards and 5 touchdowns through seven games this season.
“Yeah, I think those guys are playing fast,” Mertz said on Arlis Boardingham and Tre Wilson. “I think they’re playing confident in what they’re doing. When I know I have a matchup, I trust them to make the play. I think across the board, like I said, the guys are really coming into their own of understanding what goes into winning football, like I said. Guys are doing what they’re supposed to do. They’re executing. Those two have been doing a great job of that. It’s been fun to play with them.”
Having both players exceed expectations has slowly opened up this offense and I expect that to increase in the back half of the season.
In the trenches, Florida’s offensive line has been up and down so far this season but have steadily improved with a significant amount of rotation at all positions. Redshirt sophomore Jake Slaughter struggled at times earlier in the season but has truly evolved as a leader and has only gotten better.
“They’ve been awesome,” Mertz said on the young offensive linemen. “Across the board in that room, a lot of different pieces have been plugged in different areas. They’ve never flinched. That’s one thing I appreciate, is they come out there, they’re ready to go. I mean, I think guys like Slaughter and Kam, they’re doing a great job. Slaughter is putting in the time, the energy, the effort. He’s been doing a great job. I truly appreciate that.”
The annual bye week leading up to the Florida-Georgia game hasn’t necessarily helped the Gators get the job done in Jacksonville over the years. The biggest thing for this team is to make sure they don’t take any steps backward in any department.
“The emphasis was fundamentals,” Mertz said on the bye week. “Anytime you get to this point in the season, when you’ve played, what, six, seven games, you got to really dive back into the fundamentals of what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, because you can lose that in the season because it’s just constantly going. On my end, footwork, timing, understanding the holistic approach of playing quarterback. Everybody kind of dove into that in their position room. It was good.”
Georgia will be without their star talent in tight end Brock Bowers after he suffered a high ankle sprain against Vanderbilt. It could be tough for the Bulldogs to form a new identity with Bowers sidelined, but this Georgia team is extremely deep and will give the Gators trouble on Saturday if they don’t come prepared to play.