ESPN-CFP & Bowl Predicts;SDS Predicts 7-5 Gator Season;Gators' Defense-A Work in Progress; Utah Game Sells Out;O'Brien watch list

[instaGATOR]

I look at the new DC and position coaches, and I see solid upscale improvements.

I look at the current roster, compared to the 2021 roster, and I see solid upscale improvements across the board.

A high % of returning chumps is not a plus, but departing chumps is always a plus, even when the higher quality replacements are lacking college game experience.

Some see a 400 lb+ nose tackle as a negative, while I see him as a solid run stopper that requires double teaming by the opposing OL, leaving holes for other defenders to take advantage of. If they don't double team him, he will push the opposing OC back into the QB's face.

#58 DT Chris Thomas 6-5 314 rsSo ***
#3 DT/SDE Gervon Dexter Sr 6-6 312 So *****
#37 DT Jalen Lee 6-2 299 So ****
#16 DT Chris McCellan 6-3 305 Fr ****
#47 DT Jamari Lyons 6-4 298 Fr ****
-----
#20 DT/NT Jaelin Huphries 6-3 328 rsSo ****
#46 DT/NT Desmond Watson 6-5 415 So ***
~~ DT/NT Keenan Landry 6-0 338 So JuCo xfer ***
(LSU offer with UF interest before going JuCo)

With 8 DT's (2 are 4-star Fr) to fill 2 Tackle slots, I'm just not seeing any real problems with DT depth.
While LB is loaded with quality depth, as is the secondary.
I see the Gator D taking a quantum leap up in 2022...

 

[LizardGrad89]

I look at the new DC and position coaches, and I see solid upscale improvements.

I look at the current roster, compared to the 2021 roster, and I see solid upscale improvements across the board.

A high % of returning chumps is not a plus, but departing chumps is always a plus, even when the higher quality replacements are lacking college game experience.

Some see a 400 lb+ nose tackle as a negative, while I see him as a solid run stopper that requires double teaming by the opposing OL, leaving holes for other defenders to take advantage of. If they don't double team him, he will push the opposing OC back into the QB's face.

#58 DT Chris Thomas 6-5 314 rsSo ***
#3 DT/SDE Gervon Dexter Sr 6-6 312 So *****
#37 DT Jalen Lee 6-2 299 So ****
#16 DT Chris McCellan 6-3 305 Fr ****
#47 DT Jamari Lyons 6-4 298 Fr ****
-----
#20 DT/NT Jaelin Huphries 6-3 328 rsSo ****
#46 DT/NT Desmond Watson 6-5 415 So ***
~~ DT/NT Keenan Landry 6-0 338 So JuCo xfer ***
(LSU offer with UF interest before going JuCo)

With 8 DT's (2 are 4-star Fr) to fill 2 Tackle slots, I'm just not seeing any real problems with DT depth.
While LB is loaded with quality depth, as is the secondary.
I see the Gator D taking a quantum leap up in 2022...

Totally agree about the defense. The upgrade in coaching alone should improve us dramatically.

 

[Gator Fever]

I look at the new DC and position coaches, and I see solid upscale improvements.

I look at the current roster, compared to the 2021 roster, and I see solid upscale improvements across the board.

A high % of returning chumps is not a plus, but departing chumps is always a plus, even when the higher quality replacements are lacking college game experience.

Some see a 400 lb+ nose tackle as a negative, while I see him as a solid run stopper that requires double teaming by the opposing OL, leaving holes for other defenders to take advantage of. If they don't double team him, he will push the opposing OC back into the QB's face.

#58 DT Chris Thomas 6-5 314 rsSo ***
#3 DT/SDE Gervon Dexter Sr 6-6 312 So *****
#37 DT Jalen Lee 6-2 299 So ****
#16 DT Chris McCellan 6-3 305 Fr ****
#47 DT Jamari Lyons 6-4 298 Fr ****
-----
#20 DT/NT Jaelin Huphries 6-3 328 rsSo ****
#46 DT/NT Desmond Watson 6-5 415 So ***
~~ DT/NT Keenan Landry 6-0 338 So JuCo xfer ***
(LSU offer with UF interest before going JuCo)

With 8 DT's (2 are 4-star Fr) to fill 2 Tackle slots, I'm just not seeing any real problems with DT depth.
While LB is loaded with quality depth, as is the secondary.
I see the Gator D taking a quantum leap up in 2022...

Did you watch the UCF game and hear Napier's comments. He seems to be concerned about D line depth a little anyway. Always talking about the 1st group looking alright. Not sure who will be at the other DT spot besides Dexter but I hope whoever it is has improved a lot since the UCF game if it's not Watson. Hoping Watson is able to play a lot of possible running downs.

 

[Countygator1]

Got to stay healthy.

 

[ocalaman]

The most questionable and unproven part of this team is the interior defense. If we can't stop the run and get up the middle pressure on the QB, we're going to struggle against the better teams. If that group steps up, I think the defense can be special because the secondary has talent and depth, the linebackers are solid and deep and the edge is going to be good. But the interior is what makes or breaks a defense, IMO.

 

[Gator Fever]

The most questionable and unproven part of this team is the interior defense. If we can't stop the run and get up the middle pressure on the QB, we're going to struggle against the better teams. If that group steps up, I think the defense can be special because the secondary has talent and depth, the linebackers are solid and deep and the edge is going to be good. But the interior is what makes or breaks a defense, IMO.

Well Utah should tell us a lot as they use a lot of 12 personnel and like to throw it to the TEs quite a bit when not running the ball. Just glad we have Miller back now after all the breakdowns against the running game last season.

 

[sadgator]

Did you watch the UCF game…

The team that plays Utah will not resemble the team that played UCF….

 

[Gator Fever]

The team that plays Utah will not resemble the team that played UCF….

I am certain of that but watching some of those younger D linemen showed you they had a long way to go. Hopefully Watson can be in there on quite a few snaps. Utah does go 2 TEs quite a bit.

 

[ocalaman]

Steve Russell said on his radio show that many Gator fans are all of a sudden downplaying Utah and saying they're overrated, while touting Florida as much better than the predicted 7-5 season most "experts" have said. He understands the excitement and buzz over what's going on under Napier and staff, but said we're not being realistic. He reminded callers that Utah has 18 starters returning from last year's team, plus Diabate, and are running a long established system under a proven, hard-nosed coach whose teams play very physical. While Florida has a lot of talent, much of it is unproven and under a new coach who has brought in a whole new approach to almost every part of the program. Russell said the Gators could, of course, win the game but Utah is the clear favorite. He, also, said that the Utah people are looking at the Florida game as a launching pad to what they hope will be a run to the Final 4. Looking at the Utes schedule, it's very favorable for them, but they can't afford a loss if they hope to get to the championship series. Beating an SEC team would be huge for them and the Pac-12, while losing to a Gator team that's picked 4ith in the SEC East would just about kill their hopes. So Utah is taking this game very seriously, although he said they aren't coming to Gainesville until Friday. The heat won't be the issue for them - it will be the humidity and lower elevation that could wear them down. Anyway, just paraphrasing what I heard on Russell's show.

Why history suggests Utah has legit shot at College Football Playoff berth

Utes got a head start to the playoff by virtue of the lofty preseason rankings they have received

www.deseret.com

 

[Gator Fever]

Steve Russell said on his radio show that many Gator fans are all of a sudden downplaying Utah and saying they're overrated, while touting Florida as much better than the predicted 7-5 season most "experts" have said. He understands the excitement and buzz over what's going on under Napier and staff, but said we're not being realistic. He reminded callers that Utah has 18 starters returning from last year's team, plus Diabate, and are running a long established system under a proven, hard-nosed coach whose teams play very physical. While Florida has a lot of talent, much of it is unproven and under a new coach who has brought in a whole new approach to almost every part of the program. Russell said the Gators could, of course, win the game but Utah is the clear favorite. He, also, said that the Utah people are looking at the Florida game as a launching pad to what they hope will be a run to the Final 4. Looking at the Utes schedule, it's very favorable for them, but they can't afford a loss if they hope to get to the championship series. Beating an SEC team would be huge for them and the Pac-12, while losing to a Gator team that's picked 4ith in the SEC East would just about kill their hopes. So Utah is taking this game very seriously, although he said they aren't coming to Gainesville until Friday. The heat won't be the issue for them - it will be the humidity and lower elevation that could wear them down. Anyway, just paraphrasing what I heard on Russell's show.

Why history suggests Utah has legit shot at College Football Playoff berth

Utes got a head start to the playoff by virtue of the lofty preseason rankings they have received

www.deseret.com

I am worried about their offense quite a bit but that defense should have issues unless those young players come together quickly. Not sure where that 18 starters number is coming from looking at the defense unless they are counting guys who got a start because the # 1 was injured last season or something. As far as Diabate I am not sure what position he is playing there and if he is on the line or not but I think a wherever he lines up a good strategy would be to run right at him in a 2 TE set with how weak he was against that last season.

 

[Countygator1]

Steve Russell said on his radio show that many Gator fans are all of a sudden downplaying Utah and saying they're overrated, while touting Florida as much better than the predicted 7-5 season most "experts" have said. He understands the excitement and buzz over what's going on under Napier and staff, but said we're not being realistic. He reminded callers that Utah has 18 starters returning from last year's team, plus Diabate, and are running a long established system under a proven, hard-nosed coach whose teams play very physical. While Florida has a lot of talent, much of it is unproven and under a new coach who has brought in a whole new approach to almost every part of the program. Russell said the Gators could, of course, win the game but Utah is the clear favorite. He, also, said that the Utah people are looking at the Florida game as a launching pad to what they hope will be a run to the Final 4. Looking at the Utes schedule, it's very favorable for them, but they can't afford a loss if they hope to get to the championship series. Beating an SEC team would be huge for them and the Pac-12, while losing to a Gator team that's picked 4ith in the SEC East would just about kill their hopes. So Utah is taking this game very seriously, although he said they aren't coming to Gainesville until Friday. The heat won't be the issue for them - it will be the humidity and lower elevation that could wear them down. Anyway, just paraphrasing what I heard on Russell's show.

Why history suggests Utah has legit shot at College Football Playoff berth

Utes got a head start to the playoff by virtue of the lofty preseason rankings they have received

www.deseret.com

Make no mistake this is a very good Utah team. On defense they have to replace their 2 best players and return 6 starters. But it's a bit misleading as they get back their top corner who missed 2021 with injury. So technically they bring 7 starters back and then add Diabate. On offense they bring back 3 starting Olineman, QB, RB, 1 WR and their 2 stud Tightends. Their tightend tandem probably the best in CFB. They've got a handful of nfl prospects, but we have better athletes and believe it or not better depth. I don't think heat will be an issue at all. We will need to score at least 30 to have a shot at winning as I do believe they will put up some points.

 

[Gator Fever]

Make no mistake this is a very good Utah team. On defense they have to replace their 2 best players and return 6 starters. But it's a bit misleading as they get back their top corner who missed 2021 with injury. So technically they bring 7 starters back and then add Diabate. On offense they bring back 3 starting Olineman, QB, RB, 1 WR and their 2 stud Tightends. Their tightend tandem probably the best in CFB. They've got a handful of nfl prospects, but we have better athletes and believe it or not better depth. I don't think heat will be an issue at all. We will need to score at least 30 to have a shot at winning as I do believe they will put up some points.

Watched a little bit of their defense from last season and I am glad that Devin Lloyd is gone as he seemed to be breaking up plays left and right and was stout against the run. Even if Diabate has improved he isn't nearly the level that guy was.

 

[Gator Fever]

This gives me a little concern. Had flashbacks to our rush defense last season.

 

[ocalaman]

I am worried about their offense quite a bit but that defense should have issues unless those young players come together quickly. Not sure where that 18 starters number is coming from looking at the defense unless they are counting guys who got a start because the # 1 was injured last season or something. As far as Diabate I am not sure what position he is playing there and if he is on the line or not but I think a wherever he lines up a good strategy would be to run right at him in a 2 TE set with how weak he was against that last season.

Utah started a lot of freshmen on defense last year. So even though their defense is young with a lot of sophomores, they are 2nd year starters.

 

[instaGATOR]

Steve Russell has a right to his opinions, just like we all do. However, he's been wrong enough times for me to not take his opinions as any kind of gospel....

#58 DT Chris Thomas 6-5 314 rsSo ***
#3 DT/SDE Gervon Dexter Sr 6-6 312 So *****
#37 DT Jalen Lee 6-2 299 So ****
#16 DT Chris McCellan 6-3 305 Fr ****
#47 DT Jamari Lyons 6-4 298 Fr ****
-----
#20 DT/NT Jaelin Huphries 6-3 328 rsSo **** (he's over-due for a breakout season)
#46 DT/NT Desmond Watson 6-5 415 So ***
~~ DT/NT Keenan Landry 6-0 338 So JuCo xfer ***
(LSU offer with UF interest before going JuCo)

Using talking points from the media-morons and commentators as your guide, let's you off the hook from taking a hard look at the roster, and then coming up with your own evaluations of the talent on hand. I'm just not seeing a problem at interior DL with 5 DT's and 3 NT's. 8 DT's gives you 4 strings to work with, to fill 2 slots....

 

[instaGATOR]

Utah started a lot of freshmen on defense last year. So even though their defense is young with a lot of sophomores, they are 2nd year starters.

But what is the quality of those 2nd year starters???
They average a #35 Recruit Class Ranking over 4 seasons.

Now, either those class rankings matter, of they don't.
You guys can't have it both ways.

If it matters that UA & UG have Top 3 classes to UF's Top 10, then it's got to matter that UU's is a freakin' #35.... 🤓
Five of UF's 8 DT's are 4-stars.

2022 - Fr
Utah 4-stars: (3) LB-QB-RB, with 15 3-star and 1 NR
#7 LB Lander Barton 6-4 220 Fr - Salt Lake City, UT
UF xfer -- LB/MAC Mohamoud Diabate Sr **** (starter & their only 4-star xfer)

2021 - So & rsFr
Utah 4-stars (4) LB-QB-LB-RB with 14 3-stars.
#8 LB Ethan Calvert 6-3 230 **** - Vestlake Village, CA
#33 LB Mason Tufaga 6-1 210 **** - Honolulu, HI

LB/Rover - So-rsFr-Fr
LB/Mac - Sr xfer -rsSo xfer - rsJr
LB/Stud - Fr-Jr-rsFr
Their LB's seem to be their best position group on defense.

Secondary Starters
LCB - Jr
FS - Sr
SS - So
RCB - So
Nic - rsSo

DL Starters
LDE So
LDT So
RDT So
RDE rsSo
(the Gator OL is going to handle them, and not in a gentle way)

So if their Jr's & Sr's were any good, they wouldn't need to start so many Fr/rsFr/So's....

 

[gatorbuilderorlando]

7.5 is my personal over/under so this feels about right. Richardson balls out and healthy all year and we go north of that - if not, could be tough.

I really don't care about wins/loses this year. I want to see sustainable progress and coaches winning the x/o battle, teaching and improving technique etc.

 

[ocalaman]

Speculation is what we all do, but none of us really knows what will happen until the games are played. I'm getting anxious and will probably watch 2-3 crappy games Saturday just to see some live football.

 

[Gator Fever]

But what is the quality of those 2nd year starters???
They average a #35 Recruit Class Ranking over 4 seasons.

Now, either those class rankings matter, of they don't.
You guys can't have it both ways.

If it matters that UA & UG have Top 3 classes to UF's Top 10, then it's got to matter that UU's is a freakin' #35.... 🤓
Five of UF's 8 DT's are 4-stars.

2022 - Fr
Utah 4-stars: (3) LB-QB-RB, with 15 3-star and 1 NR
#7 LB Lander Barton 6-4 220 Fr - Salt Lake City, UT
UF xfer -- LB/MAC Mohamoud Diabate Sr **** (starter & their only 4-star xfer)

2021 - So & rsFr
Utah 4-stars (4) LB-QB-LB-RB with 14 3-stars.
#8 LB Ethan Calvert 6-3 230 **** - Vestlake Village, CA
#33 LB Mason Tufaga 6-1 210 **** - Honolulu, HI

LB/Rover - So-rsFr-Fr
LB/Mac - Sr xfer -rsSo xfer - rsJr
LB/Stud - Fr-Jr-rsFr
Their LB's seem to be their best position group on defense.

Secondary Starters
LCB - Jr
FS - Sr
SS - So
RCB - So
Nic - rsSo

DL Starters
LDE So
LDT So
RDT So
RDE rsSo
(the Gator OL is going to handle them, and not in a gentle way)

So if their Jr's & Sr's were any good, they wouldn't need to start so many Fr/rsFr/So's....

This is their answer... kind of funny I guess. Hopefully we stomp them...

 

[LizardGrad89]

This is their answer... kind of funny I guess. Hopefully we stomp them...

They seem confused. If we had a 5 star team Mullen would still be coach and we would be the ones celebrating a national title (or lamenting a near miss because of our still just-fired DC Grantham being a suckhole of a coach). It's more like our 3.5 star team is playing their 3 star team.

 

[Gator Fever]

They seem confused. If we had a 5 star team Mullen would still be coach and we would be the ones celebrating a national title (or lamenting a near miss because of our still just-fired DC Grantham being a suckhole of a coach). It's more like our 3.5 star team is playing their 3 star team.

Yep it should have been 4 stars. I think we only have maybe 2 recruited 5 stars on the team. Lingard was a 5 star Miami recruited but he is buried on the depth chart it appears.

 

[sadgator]

Steve Russell said on his radio show that many Gator fans are all of a sudden downplaying Utah and saying they're overrated, while touting Florida as much better than the predicted 7-5 season most "experts" have said. He understands the excitement and buzz over what's going on under Napier and staff, but said we're not being realistic. He reminded callers that Utah has 18 starters returning from last year's team, plus Diabate, and are running a long established system under a proven, hard-nosed coach whose teams play very physical. While Florida has a lot of talent, much of it is unproven and under a new coach who has brought in a whole new approach to almost every part of the program. Russell said the Gators could, of course, win the game but Utah is the clear favorite. He, also, said that the Utah people are looking at the Florida game as a launching pad to what they hope will be a run to the Final 4. Looking at the Utes schedule, it's very favorable for them, but they can't afford a loss if they hope to get to the championship series. Beating an SEC team would be huge for them and the Pac-12, while losing to a Gator team that's picked 4ith in the SEC East would just about kill their hopes. So Utah is taking this game very seriously, although he said they aren't coming to Gainesville until Friday. The heat won't be the issue for them - it will be the humidity and lower elevation that could wear them down. Anyway, just paraphrasing what I heard on Russell's show.

Why history suggests Utah has legit shot at College Football Playoff berth

Utes got a head start to the playoff by virtue of the lofty preseason rankings they have received

www.deseret.com

LSMFAO…we are winning this game…sadgator is so jealous of the folks who have arranged to go…it is going to be an epic environment…

 

[instaGATOR]

Yep it should have been 4 stars. I think we only have maybe 2 recruited 5 stars on the team. Lingard was a 5 star Miami recruited but he is buried on the depth chart it appears.

5-star RB Lingard will be a part of the 4 RB rotation, and a solid contributor in 22. All 4 will play, even the tFr....

Updated DL Depth Chart.... Fever, there are 2 5-star starters on the DL....
And all 4 starters have playing time, 3 were 2021 starters.

#9 SDE Princely Umanmielen 6-5 245 **** So
#15 SDE Tyreak Sapp 6-3 263 **** rsFr

#3 DT/DE Gervon Dexter Sr 6-6 312 ***** So
#16 DT Chris McClellan 6-3 305 **** Fr EE

#37 DT/NT Jalen Lee 6-2 299 **** So
#46 DT/NT Desmond Watson 6-5 415 *** So

#2 SDE/BUCK Brenton Cox Jr. 6-3 252 ***** rsJr
#43 DL/BUCK Justus Boone 6-4 260 **** rsFr

Depth
#47 Jamari Lyons 6-4 298 Fr **** (HS career - 91 Tkls, 54 solo, 11 sacks)
#20 DT Jaelin Humphries 6-3 328 rsSo **** (injures slowed development)
#56 DT Chris Thomas Jr. 6-5 314 rsFr *** (still earning his way back)

This game will not be kind to UU's OL, RB's, and especially not their QB....
If there's any raping going on, it will be Gator's doing it, not the uttie-tooties.
They are in for a very rude SEC/SWAMP welcome. 🤓

Before this is over, they are going to begin to believe that the Gator's are actually Fire Breathing Dragons... 👹

(how's that for some over-confident homer+ smack?) 😁