We are only six games into the Florida Gators 2017 season, despite it feeling like it has had multiple “seasons” built into it.
We had “suspension” season. Feleipe Franks is the starter season. Desperation and Malik Zaire season. Hurricane Season. Feleipe Franks last second pass season. Offensive positivity season. Missed extra point season. And what the hell was that season.
It has been an up-and-down season and with five games left to go, the Gators have a chance to identify their next “season”.
Let’s take a look at 10 statistics that have defined the Gators thus far.
28.80
The Gators rank 110th in the country in pace of play with the average play taking 28.80 seconds and rank 120th in the country in number of plays per game. What’s more, however, is that on scoring drives the Gators average 20.71 seconds per play and have never averaged greater than their season average on a drive that they scored a touchdown.
28.76% and 33.33%
The Gators rank 102nd in the country in percentage of plays that result in a first down or a touchdown (28.76%) and 105th in third down conversions on offense. The Gators have had one game (Tennessee) where they average 50% conversion on third down, something they did four times in the first half of last season.
100% and 124th
The Gators have a 100% conversion rate in the red zone, which is a huge improvement from last seasons’ 71.43% (126th in the country). However, they rank 124th in the country in number of red zone attempts.
1.17
The Gators likely have one of the best kickers in the country with one of the strongest legs and yet they average only 1.17 kicks per game. Eddy Pineiro is 17-of-18 on his last 18 field goals, missing only one this season against Michigan.
0.83
The Gators average 0.83 touchdowns thrown per game. The Gators have five passing touchdowns on the season, compared to 10 at the same point last season and 14 in 2015.
4.92
The Gators average 4.92 points per trip inside the 40-yard line, which is the 26th best in the country. If Florida gets inside the 40-yard line, they are likely going to score a touchdown. Unfortunately, they just don’t do it enough as they rank 123rd in the country in average starting field position at 26.5 yard line.
6.75
Malik Davis is averaging 6.75 yards per carry and currently ranks fourth amongst all freshmen in the country with over 50 carries. You would have to look all the way back to 2010 and Chris Rainey to see a Florida running back with more than 50 carries and a higher yards per carry average (7.18).
4 and 2
Marco Wilson, sensational freshman cornerback, has only allowed four receptions on 23 targets this season and senior Duke Dawson has only allowed two receptions on 13 targets against him this season. Wilson is currently ranked by Pro Football Focus as the second best freshman defensive back in the country and fourth best overall.
82nd and 106th
The Gators rank 82nd in kick-off return average (20.36) and 106th in punt return average (4). Over the last two seasons, Brandon Powell has averaged 4.27 yards per punt return.
29.89%
The Gators defense ranks 16th in the country in third down conversion only allowing 29.89% of opponents third downs to be converted. The Gators have not allowed an SEC opponent to have a greater than 50% conversion rate on third down for 27 straight regular season games.