Kentucky @ Florida game...
- Thread starter Gator Fever
- Start date
Most people don't think much about the long snapper, but a bad snap on special teams can be a killer.
247sports.com
Florida long snapper Marco Ortiz out vs. Kentucky
Florida long snapper Marco Ortiz exited Florida's 29-26 victory Saturday against No. 7-ranked Utah.
247sports.com
I think the depth chart also has Etienne listed as the "or" # 2 with Johnson at RB now. Not sure if Coach Napier did that because he added Lingard or because he is thinking Etienne will be moving up on the depth chart soon.
Could be both - both make sense from what I saw last week.
Not a big sample yet but I get the feeling Etienne is our most explosive runner easily and that Johnson is trusted on the grunt work more than Wright despite Wright being the starter now.
KY's kick returner hit 22mph on his return for a TD which was the fastest speed recorded this weekend. We better be ready on special teams because their punt returner had one just short of a TD also.
Wright fits better more on passing situations as he's more dangerous catching the ball coming out of the backfield.
Didn't know that. We will probably know by the Tenn game how this will shake out.
He's not a very good pass blocker, though and running backs are crucial in picking up the blitz.
Kentucky's O-Line has only 2 returning pieces from last year (Horsey and Eli Cox), the rest are either new to the program or backups that haven't yet played meaningful snaps. The talent is there, but it's a lot to ask to have a completely revamped group compete in the SEC at a high level right out of the gate. That, along with our Top 3 RB's all unavailable (C-Rod, Stud Transfer Ramon Jefferson, and McClain)...doesn't bode well for us in the Swamp in Week 2 IMO. Just too much growing pains. I hope UK can keep it respectable and both teams don't have any injuries.
You guys look good. I think Napier was the right call...think he and Stoops will have some great battles over the next few years and I am looking forward to it.
Good luck Saturday!
You guys look good. I think Napier was the right call...think he and Stoops will have some great battles over the next few years and I am looking forward to it.
Good luck Saturday!
Florida Gators announce sellout for SEC clash vs. Kentucky
A sold out swamp can help us two ways.We will need the crowd noise & energy to beat KY.
Plus it will help with recruiting; several big time recruits who visited for Utah are (hopefully) coming back for KY.
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium is going to be a madhouse on Saturday Night, and the 2 teams will have a big television stage to play on as well.
The sold-out swamp will be featured in ESPN’s 7:00 PM slot.
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/f...s-announce-sellout-for-sec-clash-vs-kentucky/
FWIW
CBS Sports Network panel predicts Kentucky-Florida matchup - Gators !
https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/f...work-panel-predicts-kentucky-florida-matchup/
The closer this games gets the more confident I’m getting. I think it is fairly close at halftime but we blow it open in the 2nd half.
Weather could be a factor. Slippery, wet field and ball. Kentucky has played us tough the last several years, but I, also, think we win.
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I like our chances if it turns into a running type game
I am confident that they will have a real hard time driving 70+ yards for a TD on our defense but a little worried they could make it interesting due to special teams play and/or turnovers.
That is exactly how they beat us last year. I think we are better than last year. I think UK is worse than last year and we are at home.
We are MILES better this year. Losing Grantham was the largest "addition by subtraction" in Gator football history. Yes, more than Lynn Amadee.
Both guys can
If we play a solid game we win by 10 or more. Limit the mistakes. I was super impressed with the offense. I'm hoping to see some consistent play.
Our O is a bad matchup for their D. On defense we still lose gap, don't set the edge properly and our LB/SS were lost in coverage last week so we'll get hurt in the middle.
There were still a lot of plays were the D didn't know how to line up properly - that's coaching but will take some time etc. I like the good guys on this one.
There were still a lot of plays were the D didn't know how to line up properly - that's coaching but will take some time etc. I like the good guys on this one.
Seeing them return a kick for a TD, a punt just short of a TD and blocking a punt in that first game brings back last year a little. I think they got a TD by blocking a FG attempt. Our defense did play well that game however before all the struggles afterwards.
Their LBs seem to be more traditional and shouldn't be the passing matchup nightmare that Utah one was to Burney.
Wife and I planned a trip down here 9/8-9/15 to Orlando back in the spring, then decided to tack on a side trip to The Swamp on Saturday night. Yes, the weather looks pretty sucky for most of the weekend / next week.
I can still think of plausible scenarios where UK can win on Saturday, but I’m less confident after week 1.
Last year KY only had like 220 total yards offense. We had roughly 370 I believe. Our D played great. No clue as to this year as KY has been playing us tough for the last few years.
Yep the infamous answer Mullen gave when asked if he was outcoached against KY.
I'm not well-versed on UF's entire roster, obviously, so I can't comment on overall talent level - but right away from the Utah game I saw a more cohesive, comfortable Gator team on the field. You can tell that the team has bought in to the coaching staff. And obviously, having a clear QB1 this time around helps as well. I know last year there was a big debate between Emory Jones and AR.
I will say this on UK, however. I am well-versed on UK's roster, and top to bottom, UK has a more talented team than a year ago. Other than the O-Line (only 2 returning contributors from last year) and RB (because our RB1, RB2, and RB3 are all out right now), UK is better at every position than the UK team from last season. The most notable improvement is WR. I can't recall UK ever having a WR room this good.
I just think the specific combination of UK's biggest weak spots will be too much to overcome Week 2 in the Swamp. Certainly, crazier things have happened...and we've had some epic battles of late....just not feeling super confident in UK winning at this point in time given the circumstances.
If we do win on Saturday, how many wins in a row have we had that don’t include Dan Mullen? I think the fact that he’s not coaching this game is the biggest thing Florida has in its favor. Only one coach has lost to them in 30+ years, and I honestly think his kind of cavalier approach to bad losses is why. He was happy to take a couple bad losses every year if we looked really good against a top tier opponent and maybe once a decade actually beat someone really good. Not that it would matter though because if you beat alabama but lose to Kentucky you’re not making the playoffs. At least until they expand. But even then we would never have won. I think he cared most about his reputation as an offensive genius, and they only seem to look at the good games when making that claim. Kiffen is much the same. His reputation, while partly earned, is certainly much bigger than the results he’s gotten as a head coach.
Edit: because autocorrect is the bane of my existence
Edit: because autocorrect is the bane of my existence
Yep having an undisciplined O line is a killer usually.
Special teams was the difference in last year's debacle. The long blocked FG-TD return was the difference. This tme around, this team is ready and willing to re-establish dominance over UK. The Swamp will be rocking Saturday night. And remember Rodriguez is out.
I get the feeling some KY fans think those track guy little receivers will hit big plays on us due to their speed but I think our DBs should be able to limit that big time.
Well, remember who our DC was last year. This time around, not so much.
After what happened at UF how can grantham get another job?
Not that I GAS, but 3rd and Grantham is now some kind of assistant analyst at Bama. He'll never land another DC job any where in his lifetime.
I think we win but it will be a hard fought game. We need to do the basics, win the turnover battle and watch the penalties.
