The Florida Gators are set to clash with the Easten Washington Eagles on Sunday at Noon. The game was rescheduled from Saturday, October 1st due to hurricane Ian. It’s great that the Gators have an opportunity to play football in week five. Not only does it give Florida a chance to get back into the win column, but it allows the team to gain valuable reps before heading back into SEC play. With a season full of inconsistencies, repetition is needed.
Eastern Washington is led by head coach Aaron Best, who’s currently in his sixth year at the helm. Best has been with Eastern Washington for 26 years, only spending one season apart from this program. Best was the starting center at EWU, earning First Team All-Big Sky Conference Honors before becoming a student assistant in 2000, launching his coaching career. In 2002 he was promoted from graduate assistant to offensive line coach, where he spent the next five seasons. Best took a job in the CFL in 2007, coaching the Toronto Argonauts’ offensive line. He returned to EWU a year later for the offensive coordinator position. Best was hired in 2017 as the head coach of Eastern Washington.
Best has created a winning culture at EWU, boasting a 41-17 record in his first five seasons as head coach. Best has an offensive powerhouse in the Big Sky Conference, ranking in the top five in total offense in the NCAA Football Championships Subdivision each of his first five seasons. Best was awarded Big Sky Conference coach of the year in 2018. EWU has found major success over the last ten seasons; Aaron Best is a big part of that.
EWU enters week five claiming a 1-2 record. The Eagles faced Oregon in week two, losing 70-14 to the Ducks. EWU is averaging 28.3 points per game; the Gators need to be prepared for the Eagles to do everything they can to find the endzone Sunday afternoon.
The Eagles are led by fifth year senior Gunner Talkington. Despite being in the program five years, this is his first year as the starting quarterback for the Eagles. Talkington is finding success in his first season starting, connecting on 57-93 passes (61.3%) for 636 yards, ten touchdowns, and three interceptions.
The Eagles’ backfield is led by Junior running back Micah Smith. He has carried the ball 24 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Best’s offense has been well balanced through three games. EWU has 86 rushes and 93 passes on the young season.
GATORS
Gator Country’s David Wunderlich mentioned this earlier in the week, but I’m not sure there’s going to be a ton to take away from this game, regardless of the outcome. The Gators have had their fair share of ups and downs this season; nothing would surprise me tomorrow afternoon.
The Gators should be looking to put the game away early. Not because it’s going to look good to outsiders, but because it allows younger players to get much needed reps. The Gators have played three ranked teams and a close game against South Florida, not allowing Napier to see what’s behind the Gators two-deep depth chart.
All eyes are on the defense tomorrow afternoon. The Gators’ defense has played poorly this season; a sound game defensively would at the very least help this team’s confidence. The Gators will have new faces out there regardless of the outcome. Jaydon Hill, Justus Boone, and Kamari Wilson are set to make their first start in 2022.
There’s been a lot to break down from this Gators’ defense to this point, but the most disappointing part to me is the lack of pressure from the defensive line. Multiple games in a row I’ve witnessed minimal pressure on the opposing team’s QB. The Gators have talent at defensive end; I’m looking for those guys to prove it on Sunday.
The Gators run game needs to get back in rhythm. They struggled against a Tennessee team that put an emphasis on stopping the run.
EWU is giving up 45.6 points per game. The Gators shouldn’t have a problem finding the endzone on Sunday.
PREDICTION
The Gators will find success running the football early on in this game. The Gators’ defense has a better day but still allows the Eagles to find the endzone a couple times.
48-17 Gators.