Florida Gators thoughts of the Week: November 4 – November 11

It was a great week again for Florida Gators fans. For the first time since 2012, the Gators consecutively scored 30+ points against SEC opponents. For the first time since 2012, the Gators threw for 215+ yards in an away game. For the first time since 2009, the Gators are averaging more than 4.6 yards per carry. And finally, for the first time since 2009, the Gators are averaging more than 30 points-per-game.

The Gators are 5-3 (should be 6-3 or 7-2, but whatever), look to be re-energized, and seem to have a quarterback that can put the ball where it needs to be, while looking cool, calm, and collected in the pocket.

The team seems to be buying in to Treon Harris, fans are starting to buy in, and hell, Vegas bettors are buying in and the story line is no longer “who is the next coach?” but now, “will the Gators win the SEC East?”

As the Gators prepare for their final SEC battle and the return of Steve Spurrier to the Swamp, the momentum that seemed to be all but lost three weeks ago is leading the Gators to be 6.5 point favorites over the Gamecocks in a line that keeps on growing.

Let’s look back on the week!

Veterans Day

Before we even begin to look at last week, I would like to honor our Veterans and even though I cannot even begin to express the amount of gratitude I have for you, I do want to say thank you to those that served and those that we have lost that have served. Every day should be Veterans Day and we should honor you every day.

My grandfather proudly served in World War II and stormed Normandy to help protect this great nation and I wish I could tell him, or that I could have told him before he passed away 22 years ago, how thankful I am for him and his service. Below is my grandfather, 1st Lieutenant of the 465th Anti-Aircraft Automatic Weapon Battalion Coast Artillery Corp, Charles F. Thompson, Jr.

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Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

 

Vanderbilt in Review

  1. Last week we talked about how bad Vanderbilt was and I think it was pretty evident after the first quarter. Now that does not take away anything from the Gators performance, but that was the Vanderbilt team that I was used to seeing growing up. I think Derek Mason could be a good head coach, but I think it goes to show you how great of a coach James Franklin is.
  2. For the first time all season, the Gators improved their national passing offense (week over week) rising from 113 to 108. Seriously. The Gators went from 4th to 12th to 50th to 85th to 91st to 94th to 113th to 108th.
  3. Treon Harris averaged 10.2 yards per attempt, which is 2.9 yards more per attempt than Jeff Driskel’s high on the season.
  4. Treon Harris’ passer rating of 141.18 is the highest by a Gators quarterback against an SEC opponent since 2013 against Arkansas (game 5).
  5. Kelvin Taylor displayed some incredible footwork throughout the game and showed why he was considered so shift in high school and highly sought after because of it. He will never kill you with speed, but his shiftiness will allow him to gain a few extra yards and that is often just as important.
  6. When the Gators were 0-5 on the goal line on two straight drives, I was screaming at the television for Hunter Joyer to get the ball. I will never understand why Hunter Joyer has gone the way of the dodo bird over the last two seasons when he can likely pound the rock out of the I-formation and be more successful than Jeff Driskel trying to jump over the line.
  7. Overall, still not overly impressed with Roper’s play calling at the goal line all season. I am seen them try way too many times to stuff it up the middle and I can’t remember them ever trying much outside of the up-the-gut run and that is why they were 0-5 on that play on the goal line.
  8. Jon Bullard is become one of the Gators best linemen over the last four games and it is great to see him living up to his five star potential. He earned himself a spot in the NFL over these last few games, and hopefully (for his sake), he can keep it up.
  9. The Gators regressed in the penalty department, particularly on the offensive line. This game was only the second time this season they had 10 penalties and had their second most yardage given up (82). They cannot afford to do that against South Carolina or Florida State. It was the first time all season that they dropped in penalty yards per game – from 56th in the country in fewest yards to 73rd.
  10. Over the past two games, the Gators have controlled the clock well, climbing from 69th to 43rd over the last two games.
  11. I don’t believe Jeff Driskel’s role in the offense against Vanderbilt was the best way to use him. He disrupted Harris’ flow, is not as good as a rusher, and his confidence is so shot as a passer, I am not sure he is a threat there – with his swing pass to Matt Jones hitting the ground being a perfect example. I believe he should be involved, but he was not at all used creatively against Vanderbilt and doesn’t really scare anyone right now.
  12. For the fifth time this season, the Gators held their opponents to less than 100 yards rushing and the fourth time they haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown.

South Carolina Notes

  1. Tennessee ran for 344 yards on 55 rushes last week against South Corolina. Conversely, they ran for 28 yards on 29 rushes against Florida. So Florida needs to pound the rock against South Carolina’s 114th ranked rush defense.
  2. Florida is third in the country in red zone conversions and South Carolina is 103rd in stopping teams in the red zone, so if Florida gets in the red zone, they need to convert.
  3. Treon Harris should have plenty of time in the pocket to throw against South Carolina’s 81st ranked passing defense, because South Carolina is ranked 123rd in sacks per game.
  4. I am curious to see how well South Carolina’s 19th ranked pass offense competes against Florida’s 51st ranked pass defense that has shown some flaws, particularly in safety coverage.
  5. Florida needs to control turnovers again. They are ranked 37th in turnover margin and South Carolina is ranked 100th. They will need to protect the football like they did against Vanderbilt (no turnovers) and force at least two on defense to keep South Carolina’s potent offense at bay.
  6. Overall, it will be a good offense (South Carolina) versus good defense (Florida) and bad, but improving, offense (Florida) versus a really bad defense (South Carolina). I like Florida’s chances, but it can be hard to bet against Steve Spurrier with two weeks to prepare.

Dan’s Heisman Rankings

  1. Dak Prescott
  2. Marcus Mariota
  3. Melvin Gordon
  4. Amari Cooper

Must Read Articles of the Week

 

Song of the Week

Last week we talked about Will Hoge, so I wanted to share another goodie from him.

If you hate current music themes, you will love this one.

If you aren’t on the Will Hoge train, you need to hop on.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycy8jL26Lyc

Daniel Thompson
Dan Thompson is a 2010 graduate of the University Florida, graduating with a degree in Economics and a degree in Political Science. During this time at UF, Dan worked three years for the Florida Gator Football team as a recruiting ambassador. Dan dealt daily with prospects, NCAA guidelines, and coaching staff. Dan was also involved in Florida Blue Key, Student Government and Greek Life. Currently, Dan oversees the IT consulting practice of a Tampa-based company. Dan enjoys golfing, country music, bourbon, travel, oysters, and a medium-rare steak. Dan can be found on Twitter at @DK_Thompson.