The Florida Gators are looking to finish the season with a winning record as they are set to clash with the Oregon State Beavers in the Las Vegas Bowl game on December 17th.
The Beavers come into the matchup ranked 14th in the latest college football playoff ranking and hold a 9-3 record. The Utah Utes are these teams’ only similar opponent; Florida won on a last second interception and Oregon State lost 42 to 16.
A lot has changed over the course of the season for both teams, creating an intriguing bowl game matchup.
Gator Country provides our Las Vegas Bowl game roundtable, previewing Florida’s matchup with Oregon State.
What are the keys for the Gators on offense?
AS: Run the ball and run the ball some more. Florida’s two best weapons are Trevor Etienne and Montrell Johnson so let them touch the ball as much as possible.
NM: The Gators are going to need to win this game on the ground. Jack Miller will need to be able to keep the Beaver defense honest from time to time to keep Oregon State from stacking the box. The offensive line will have a new face in the front five in Kamryn Waites, who will need to keep up with his teammates if Florida wants to dominate the line of scrimmage.
GH: The running game will obviously need to be on it’s high horse Saturday afternoon, but Jack Miller must be able to balance that out with an effective passing game down field. This offense could look very different Saturday, and in a good way, but only if Jack Miller can consistently move the ball down field and make good decisions.
What are the keys for the Gators on defense?
AS: Ventrell Miller will be missed on Saturday so Burney, Derek Wingo and Shemar James will have to step up. This is also a chance for the young defensive linemen to show out and get pressure on the quarterback.
NM: If I’m Patrick Toney, I’m making the Oregon State offense beat me through the air. With Ventrell Miller out, the Gators will need all the help they can get inside the box to help stop an efficient rushing attack. Oregon State has not relied on the passing game this season, it’s an area they aren’t extremely comfortable with. Stopping the run will go a long way in this game.
GH: Stopping the run and tackling will be the biggest key to success for this Gator defense. These two things have been the biggest problem on defense recently and it’ll be interesting to see if Derek Wingo has a major impact in that category with Ventrell Miller not playing Saturday. If this defense is flying around, making tackles early on and can perfect the little things, this defense has a chance to shine Saturday.
Jack Miller is making his first collegiate start against Oregon State; what does he need to do in order to find success in this offense?
AS: Be himself is the best advice I can give Miller, he doesn’t need to be Anthony Richardson, he just needs to be himself and make the easy throws off the run game.
NM: I don’t think Miller needs to be a hero to give the Gators a good shot at winning this game. If he can make the simple throws, Florida’s offense is going to score points. Controlling the time of possession and efficiency at the QB position will be crucial. Ricky Pearsall is going to find a way to get open, Jack Miller just needs to find him.
GH: I’m really curious to see how Jack Miller will approach this game with it being his first start. If Miller is as locked in as everybody has been saying, then hopefully he can make good decisions, take control of the game and throw the ball efficiently which is what it’ll take for the Gators to escape Vegas with a win.
With a high number of players not participating in the bowl game, who do you want to see step up and make an impact?
AS: Caleb Douglas is the guy for me on offense, he showed flashes this year and he will get a lot of time on Saturday. On defense, Derek Wingo is a guy that I want to see what he has. He will be going into year 3 next year so it’s time to show what he has.
NM: I’m going with Jack Pyburn and Jordan Young. Pyburn has moved up on the depth chart due to several transfers at the OLB position and may have a chance to make an impact on Saturday. David Reese is playing in the game despite being in the transfer portal, but I hope Pyburn gets the first shot behind Antwuan Powell-Ryland. Jordan Young has impressed me all season long and is now the backup at two positions on the depth chart. He’s a versatile player that will surely get his chance to make an impact against Oregon State. I think Young has a bright future.
GH: With the fan favorite Ventral Miller skipping the bowl game to focus on the NFL draft, Derek Wingo and Shemar James are the two most intriguing players to watch in my eyes. It’ll be interesting to see if both Derek Wingo and Shemar James have what it takes to be the starters at their respective positions next season. Huge games from either of them would be a great start.
What are the keys to victory for the Gators?
AS: Get off to a fast start and get the momentum early. You don’t want to play from behind with a quarterback making his first start.
NM: I’m siding with Andrew on this one. The Gators will need to get off to a fast start and allow Jack Miller to gain some confidence early on. Whoever rushes for more yards will win this football game.
GH: Florida must be able to stop the run and tackle on defense, as it’s been awful all season. Jack Miller is also the other big key for this team’s success Saturday, as he must be able to do the things Richardson couldn’t this season with throwing the ball efficiently on a consistent basis. If this team can do both those things and drive down the field on offense, it could be a really great day for Gator Nation.
Give us your prediction on how this game will turn out.
AS: Florida 24-21
NM: Florida 28-24. Before anyone calls me a homer, I’m 10-2 on the season picking Gator games. I think Florida finds success on the ground and out rushes the Beavers.
GH: I honestly have no idea what to expect this game, as it could honestly go either way depending on what this Florida team gets from Jack Miller. The Gators can 100% win this football game if they do all the little things right and look like a completely new team defensively, but I just don’t think that happens Saturday against a very good Oregon State football team. I have the Beavers winning this one 31-24