Saturday’s game against Georgia had all the makings of an epic battle between two top teams. Both teams appeared to be coming into the game playing their best offensive football of the year, with Florida’s defense growing with each and every play before our very eyes. Add in the celebration by Georgia last year and this rivalry looked to be as hot as it has been since before Steve Spurrier took over as the Head Ball Coach.
Instead, fans were treated to a lesson in what happens when an opposing coach makes it personal with an Urban Meyer coached team. It was obvious watching this game that the coaching staff had been preparing for this game for quite some time. The players were opportunistic and disciplined in their assignments on defense, efficient and balanced on offense, and flew to the ball on special teams. In all phases, motivation and relentless effort were abundant. Additionally, both the offensive and defensive staff called one of their best games in the 3 and a half seasons they have been here. If I may borrow from Buddy Martin, the Gators won this game Urban’s way, following the Plan to Win to the letter, and yes, it was a big deal.
Defensively, the Gators showcased a few new looks, but the real difference between this year and last year is gap responsibility and flying to the football. The Gators featured an 8-man front from the first play of the game, and made it clear that Georgia would not beat them with the run as they did last year against Florida’s battered front seven. The second play from scrimmage was a great example of what a difference having quality, experienced players can do for a defense. Brandon Spikes may have made the hit of the game, but excellent technique by Terron Sanders and Lawrence Marsh made his hit possible.
Georgia is running an off-tackle play, trying to use a fullback and Florida’s alignment with AJ Jones rushing off the back side to create a blocking advantage on the strong side of the field. The fullback gives them a total of 8 gaps on the line of scrimmage, with Florida having essentially 7 defenders to cover them. This seems like a favorable matchup for the Bulldogs until you break it down.
At the snap, the linebackers flow to the play side. Lawrence Marsh creates leverage on the center forcing him to the play side and essentially closing off the playside A-gap. Terron Sanders bulrushes and also manages to create leverage on the playside guard. The playside tackle heads upfield and Jermaine Cunningham is sealed by the tight end. Georgia fullback Brannon Southerland is lead blocking and gets into the hole created by the tackle, with Moreno taking the handoff and following.
Brandon Spikes manages to evade a block at the second level but looks to be kept out of the play as Moreno prepares to break this run to the outside. Here’s where the tackles disrupt the play. Marsh gets enough of a push to keep the Center from getting to the second level and walling off Spikes. Sanders disrupts the play completely. The leverage created in the previous sequence allows Sanders to push his lineman into the backfield and right into Moreno’s gap, forcing a cutback attempt.
Spikes comes through the hole with a head of steam and there’s absolutely nothing Moreno can do. Spikes puts a textbook hit on Moreno and plants him to the turf for a loss of two.
Many have asked about the mysterious disappearance of the wide splits. In re-watching the game, I only saw them once, but the way Georgia played attacked them made it obvious why we didn’t bring them out again.
This is the exact same play Florida used numerous times against LSU for 6-7 yards a pop (See this article for a breakdown of a successful attempt for comparison) . This particular attempt was a false start, but by the time the whistles blew and the flags came out, Demps was already corralled at the line of scrimmage.
Notice how Georgia is playing the A-gap. By lining up their defensive tackles almost directly over the guard and center and placing a linebacker in the A-gap, they have virtually assured someone will get through. The Gators are guessing it will be the linebacker, and Casey will be able to seal him out of the play.
Unfortunately, Georgia has picked up on this play in film study and stunts the 3-technique through the A-gap before Mike Pouncey can even react. The tackle gets to Casey in the backfield, preventing Demps from hitting the hole at the right hip of the center. With the playside gaps covered and defenders rapidly getting penetration, Demps has no choice but to roll the play backside.
The problem with rolling the play backside is the backside also has a multitude of defenders. The defensive end comes off his block and makes the tackle at the line of scrimmage. The wide splits are no magic answer to offensive problems. Against a smaller, quicker team with a fast, athletic front seven, to use them would negate the advantage Florida would have with a larger and more powerful offensive line and provide a huge opportunity for penetration by the defense. Against a line without a great first step and more reluctance to shoot their linebackers through the gaps, however, the wide splits can be money.
Notes:
- Hats off to Dustin Doe, AJ Jones, and Terron Sanders, who I felt had their best games of the year, if not their careers. Doe played sparingly, but made his presence felt with exceptional coverage, including an interception. Jones was always around the ball and in the backfield, tackled solidly, and showed great play recognition. Sanders, in addition to his fumble recovery, was a disruptive force playing the 3-technique. He was consistently getting a good push and freeing up space for the linebackers to get to the ball.
- Florida did a far better job of getting to Matthew Stafford than they did last year. One of the more successful new looks I mentioned earlier featured Brandon Spikes lining up on the edge as a pass rusher. The ability of Spikes and the defensive line to get to the quarterback directly lead to two of Stafford’s interceptions.
- Pretty soon we’re going to have a real dilemma. Will Hill continues to play better each week, but Major has experience and knowledge of the system in addition to hitting ability and Ahmad Black is playing at such a high level that you can’t justify taking him off the field. If having three quality safeties playing at a high level is Florida’s biggest “problem”, it’s not a bad problem to have.
- Kickoff coverage was outstanding, pinning Georgia inside their 20 multiple times. Attention has definitely been given to the unit and the coverage scheme.
- I like the adjustments made at halftime by the coaching staff. Florida came out and showed Georgia many of the same looks it did in the first half, but this time threw complimentary plays at them such as the play action pass off of the counter that UF showed in its first series.
- Incorporation of the slipscreen to the halfback and the triple option look with Rainey and Demps split in the backfield were a couple of new wrinkles I noticed on offense that I would guess we will see again this year and will break at least one long play.
- Admit it: you were hoping (as was I) that Coach Meyer would go for 2 after Brantley’s touchdown to Deonte Thompson.
Looking forward:
With the possibility of clinching the SEC Eastern Division on Saturday, I believe the Gators will have plenty of motivation against Vanderbilt Saturday. The only problem will be maintaining the intensity level from last week’s emotional and hard hitting contest. Vanderbilt is tougher than they usually are. They are a very well-coached team that can take advantage of miscues for an upset. I don’t think that will happen, however. I think Florida takes care of the ball and takes care of business, even if they come out a little flat compared to the last four weeks. Look for the Gators to pull away in the second half as talent and depth take over and win this one 42-13.