Tryin something new. Normally I don't go too deep into any games, I just write superficial crap that everybody will be talking about. But this post is all UF-Kentucky, every aspect, by the end you'll be really bored, think I'm a moron and ready for a kick-ass football game.
Gator Offense-
the Gator Offesnse has been centered around one guy, and it rides the highs and lows of this one guy every possession. ESPN ran a little stat about players having the highest percentage of plays run through them, and Tebow was like fourth in the country. This list included Texas Tech's QB who throws like 70 times a game, and a couple of option QBs. The fact that we run a semi-conventional offense and still put 70% of the plays in Tebow's hands is amazing. He literally runs a one man play action passing game. and This was working fine until the Ole Miss game, when John Thompson, of all people, figured he'd give up the short yardage passes and stuff the middle, and it worked. It's the formula everyone will run against our speedy receivers and elusive QB, cause it works. Mullen didn't know what hit him in Oxford and ended up running the ole QB draw 20 times to get out alive. Auburn was the same crap and led to this graphic featured on the CBS broadcast. I think we did much better in the LSU game, we ran the ball (we have a running back?) right at their big D-line and had success. I disagree with those that think Moore isn't that good, I think Kestahn Moore has shown a lot of promise this year and had a great game up until that fumble. Hes been fast and elusive (two things he hasn't' been in years past). More Moore would be a welcome thing tomorrow. Meanwhile, we're finally at full strength at receiver now that Bubba is back. But I don't think his return is a cure-all though. He's a great receiver but so are a few other guys on this team, and Im gonna say something that hasn't been said much, I don't think the lack of diversity in the passing game is the receivers fault. I think its' Tebow's fault - What?!?! Tebow at fault?? while I can't confirm this - I'd need to see a game through the coach's camera to tell - He might be locking on his number one option during alot of plays. This isn't awful though, plenty of young qb's do this and he'll get better. But needless to say, I'd like to see the ball spread around a little more than it has been.
Kentucky's Defense
They've been pretty suspect to this point in the season, Giving up nearly 400 yrds/game. They give up tons of yardage on the ground. Both LSU and Arkansas went over 250 yards. But most of all, they're susceptible to the running QB. Flynn had 50 yards running, and Tebow had a breakout game last year, going for 70 yards at 12 yards a carry. Last year, if its any indication , the Gators ran for well over 200 yards on the ground, and D. Wynn had a rare 100 yard rushing day. The secondary on the other hand is only giving up less than 200 a game, with 10 picks - twice what UF has.
Matchup
This one favors UF on paper. On paper Uf's offense is favored against most teams, but the point totals haven't matched the teams potential. The playmakers haven't stepped up lately, with the exception of Tebow. But I think Meyer and Mullen, with the week off, will have a great game plan for the Cats D. With plenty of plays going through Tebow, and hopefully a more noticeable run game, the Gators should walk up and down the field at least a few times. I hope the coaches don't get impatient though (they did vs Auburn). Kentucky is going to allow us to run the ball and make the short yardage throws, but if we get impatient and try to throw it down field too much it could be trouble for the gators. The Gators have shown that they can be rattled in clutch situations lately too, and this is another road game in slightly different weather, with a jacked up crowd. Lets hope they've learned from the last two games and can string together a few plays down the stretch, when it matters.
Kentucky's Offense
Heisman candidate Andre' Woodson has looked great though the first seven games. Hes consistent, spreads the ball around, hard to sack, and a good leader. The knocks on Woodson are few and his lack of scrambling might be his only weakness. He's got a great #1 wideout in Kenan Burton too. The run game looked good against LSU despite being down to the #3 tailback. With those guys still out, we'll get more of Derick Locke tomorrow.
Gator Defense
At this point I'm not sure what the Gators D is good at. With a lot of young talent, the Gators have potential to really good. They are really good... just only on first and second down. I just hope the two losses have matured the young guys and now they know what it takes to finish a game. You have to go a little harder on third and short, and even harder still on Fourth down. They've got the secondary to cover these recievers, and until LSU looked like a good team against the run. The real problem comes in getting pressure on the QB without sending a ton of blitzes. We just haven't done it.
Matchup
So the advantage is there for Woodson. He'll probably get a good amount of time to throw or have a blitzing defender to expose. The UF secondary has showed promise and can cover UKs recievers, but pressure on the QB will be hard to come by. The UK O-line played great against LSU, a team with a much more talented D-line. However, the run should be trouble for Kentucky. The Gators have been good against the run, with the notable exception of LSU... on fourth down. So its up to the UK coaches to find a weakness, and really they shouldn't have too much trouble, I'm just not sure what I'd tell em. This D is still a work in progress. I just hope someone has finally told the UF Defense how to make a turnover, or a tackle short of the marker when its third or fourth down.
Intangibles
-Gators have history on their side. Kentucky hasn't won for two whole decades. Heres a look at recent games. Kentucky has a chip on their shoulder b/c of this though.
-Injuries favor the Gators, we're just getting everyone healthy, meanwhile UK is without its top two tailbacks. The -Home Crowd should be racuous, well as racous as UK gets. Gameday is in town for the first time and this is the biggest game since, well ever, unless you count last week. But This week is different because the fans now have Hope. and Hope is a powerful thing for these hillbillies.
-The turnovers should favor the Cats. The Gators have shown no desire to take the ball away, but not by much, because the Gators aren't to eager to give it up either.
Implications
For Kentucky, a loss would be the end of the ride. Back to reality, for a good but not great team. It funny that a week after the biggest win in program history, they have a shot at, If not topping it, matching it. A win would put them in a good position to make it to Atlanta (but not a guarantee) for a rematch with LSU. For UF, three losses in a row would be devastating. This young team needs to know that it's very close to zero losses, and they need to learn what it takes to win. To finish a game and win on the road. A win and its time to think about Atlanta again. But not for long, we still got UGA and the Cocks. So not much of an upside, the Gators are Just Supposed to win.
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