Before I get to the grading, I would like to extend a big thank you to the group of LSU fans that welcomed myself and a friend into their tailgate on Saturday. So, for Wes from Ft. Walton Beach, FL; John Bryn and Strawberry from the Krewe'd Awakening crew; and anyone else whose name I forgot, Thank You Very Much.
Now, on to the grading.
The Gators have gotten through the first half of their season and now have a bye week before going through the easier half of their schedule.
Quarterback: Incomplete
This is as fair a grade I could give Tim Tebow for his season so far. The reigning Heisman winner has been under the biggest and brightest microscope of any college football player in recent memory, if ever.
Tebow hasn't put up the numbers like he did a year ago, but the Gators are playing better football as a team this season, which is better for the big picture—an SEC title and possible national championship.
Running Backs: A
For a group hit hard by injuries to Emmanuel Moody, Kestahn Moore, and now Chris Rainey, an A grade is well earned. Rainey and Jeff Demps have given the Gators a solid 1-2 speed punch that will continue to churn out yards in bunches until the power backs (Moore and Moody) can play back to pre-injury form.
Wide Receivers and Tight Ends: B
This group has been solid but not spectacular this year, dealing with a number of players battling injuries. Aaron Hernandez has filled in extremely well at tight end in place of Cornelius Ingram. Percy Harvin has played pretty well despite missing a game and parts of others.
The rest of the receiving corps hasn't made the huge plays they're capable of just yet, but with the way the Gator running game has been clicking lately, there's no reason to throw the ball.
Offensive Line: B
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about 1 month ago
Good work -- since you list a best-case scenario for the rest of the season, I would be curious to hear your worst-case scenario as well. Thanks for sending me the link!
from about 1 month ago
I will fix this, I do have one.
about 1 month ago
Michael, very good report. While I would have graded a little differently, I can see the merit in your grades. I'm anxious to see the real Florida play consistantly. Was Florida's play against LSU a true measurement? I guess we'll find out soon. While it looks like Geogria is the only obstacle, Kentucky, Vandy or South Carolina could all upset the Gators. I do like that after the loss to Ole Miss at home, the crowd really stepped it up.
from about 1 month ago
They're starting to be consistent. The next few weeks will tell if the Gators are truly a serious contender. The crowd Saturday night in the Swamp was insane. I sat in the LSU section, and it was pretty quiet for the most part, but the rest of the stadium was so loud you could barely hear the Gator band. Also, when Demps put the Gators up by 20, all you heard in the Swamp was the fans jingling keys towards the LSU fans.
about 1 month ago
Good report. You covered everything.
I guess it's not even considered a remote possibility to lose to Florida State at the Doak? Now that's what I call a trap game.
from about 1 month ago
Nope, not in the least. FSU is not that good, and they don't draw enough home fans anymore to the Doak to make it a trap game. Plus, there are bigger landmines left for UF than Florida State.
about 1 month ago
Yeah I noticed the empty seats during a highlight. That's really embarrassing, if you ask me. I can't see the Swamp emptying out like that if we hit a rough patch like that.
All the remaining games are dangerous. OK except for Citadel. Why are we playing Citadel?
from about 1 month ago
Ok, here's a rundown of the remaining games for the Gators:
Kentucky - Florida has won the last 21 in a row. This year should be no different, even coming off a huge win, they have a bye week to get ready for Kentucky.
Georgia - The game that will decide the SEC East. Florida has payback on their minds from last year. Not good for the Dawgs.
Vanderbilt - The most heartwarming nerd story since the Lamdbas rose up over the Alpha Betas. Their luck can't last forever.
South Carolina - Once a tricky game, the OBC doesn't have enough firepower to matchup with Florida.
Citadel - Why??? Could Florida have spent this money on the education of its own students, instead of floating the Citadel's athletic budget??
Florida State - Sending the Old Man Bowden out with his 5th loss in a row to the Gators
about 1 month ago
Florida has dominated 5 opponents and lost to one. As long as they take care of the ball, they should win out.
from about 1 month ago
I wouldn't say they've dominated 5 opponents, but they've been dominant in spurts. The LSU game was dominant from start to finish.
from about 1 month ago
Michael is right, running up the score is not dominating and barely winning is not dominating. LSU used to be a powerhouse they are quickly dwindling.
from about 1 month ago
Cry me a river about running up the score.
from about 1 month ago
Florida dominated 5 opponents.
Wins:
Hawaii 56-10 - dominated. Hawaii scored 0 points against Florida's first team defense.
Miami 26-3 - dominated. Miami never crossed the 50 yard line in the second half. Miami had 4 second half first downs. Even in the first half, Miami's only score came from a 50+ yard field goal. Miami didn't even sniff the red zone.
Tennessee 30-6 - dominated. Tennessee didn't even score until the game was well in hand. Florida had no trouble moving the ball except when they had those two heavily penalized drives.
Arkansas 38-7 - dominated. Florida ran for over 270 yards and shut down everything Arkansas tried to do.
LSU 51-21 - dominated. LSU never had the ball with a chance to tie or take the lead.
Florida has not won a game by less than 23 points. How can you say they have not dominated?
from about 1 month ago
Hawaii: Defense and Special Teams scored 21 points, and Florida's Offense was dominant in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.
Miami: It was 9-3 at the start of the 4th quarter.
Tennessee: They turned the ball over twice inside the 3 yard line.
Arkansas: Florida led by 10 at the start of the 4th.
LSU: Was dominant from start to finish.
about 1 month ago
I'm mostly excited about the defense. I think the LSU game might be a watershed. For the last season and a half they have been good, but inconsistent. Now they are more experienced and more importantly, might get a critical confidence boost from the LSU game that will take them to the next level. If that happens and the OLine continues to open up running holes up the middle, the Gators could be utterly dominant, if you consider that they have the best collection of skill players in the country.
from about 1 month ago
I agree with the confidence boost. LSU is kind of a national benchmark in terms of talent, and the fact that Florida played so well against them may give them the boost they need.
about 1 month ago
Great analysis, Michael. This was very factual and realistic. Nicely done!
from about 1 month ago
By the way, Tebow needs to play the way he did against LSU in Jacksonville ina couple of weeks, if we want to win that game. That is crucial!
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