eleganttomcat
Junior
- Joined
- Jul 24, 2012
- Messages
- 1,403
Just a little bit of their perspective on the game:
1. Contain "The Duke": The unquestionable star of Miami's offense is sophomore running back Duke Johnson. In his first game of the season, Johnson ran 19 times for 186 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for 38 yards. That's beautiful on paper, but it came against a defense - Florida Atlantic - that allowed more than 300 yards rushing per game last season. Florida will be a staunch challenge for Johnson, especially if Dominique Easley and Co. have the kind of performance up front they had in week one.
2. Pound the rock: Florida's strategy on offense should look familiar Saturday. It's going to be a hot, humid, miserable day to be a defensive player, and the Gators have anywhere between four and five running backs -- not including Jeff Driskel -- they're comfortable giving carries. Regardless of what fans will scream for, this is another excuse for a run-heavy game. Miami allowed 217.92 yards per game on the ground last season - No. 114 in the nation - and gave up 133 yards to lowly FAU last weekend. Miami's secondary is loaded with top-tier talent, but its front seven is noticeably shaky against the run. That plays right into the Gators' hands.
3. Get physical with Miami's wide receivers: Expect a fairly conservative Florida offense Saturday, but don't be surprised if the Gators are more aggressive than usual defensively. Florida gave a taste of what it can do mixing up its 3-3-5 base defense and playing off the versatility of Dante Fowler Jr. and Ronald Powell against Toledo. With Loucheiz Purifoy back from suspension, the Gators have their most physical defensive back alongside a myriad of cornerbacks who specialize in press coverage. Look for the Gators to prey on freshman standout Stacy Coley, who showed noticeable nerves in his first game, and shoot to take away Miami's major big-play threats.
4. Keep composure: Saturday's "rivalry" feel has almost nothing to do with series history. The players on both sidelines are too young to remember the days when Florida-Miami actually meant something to the annual state of Florida football. But it will be a rehash of old high school rivalries for several players on both sides. Florida has 10 players whom played high school football in Broward or Miami-Dade County. Personal rivalries could be sparked on the field, and Will Muschamp has already stressed for his team to control its emotions.
5. Avoid costly mistakes on offense: Say what you will about the entertainment value Florida provides, but the Gators have a formula. Chances are, if Driskel and the offense don't turn the ball over Saturday, the Gators will win. The defense is good enough to assume that. Watching Florida is like watching a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. Everything the Gators do is calculated and tailored to win albeit in an unremarkable fashion. In week two, expect that kind of game for the Gators. No one will be blown away by Florida Saturday, but 2-0 is all Muschamp cares about.
- See more at: http://florida.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1544740#sthash.HIfkgSwj.dpuf
T-minus 70 hours until kickoff
1. Contain "The Duke": The unquestionable star of Miami's offense is sophomore running back Duke Johnson. In his first game of the season, Johnson ran 19 times for 186 yards and one touchdown. He also caught one pass for 38 yards. That's beautiful on paper, but it came against a defense - Florida Atlantic - that allowed more than 300 yards rushing per game last season. Florida will be a staunch challenge for Johnson, especially if Dominique Easley and Co. have the kind of performance up front they had in week one.
2. Pound the rock: Florida's strategy on offense should look familiar Saturday. It's going to be a hot, humid, miserable day to be a defensive player, and the Gators have anywhere between four and five running backs -- not including Jeff Driskel -- they're comfortable giving carries. Regardless of what fans will scream for, this is another excuse for a run-heavy game. Miami allowed 217.92 yards per game on the ground last season - No. 114 in the nation - and gave up 133 yards to lowly FAU last weekend. Miami's secondary is loaded with top-tier talent, but its front seven is noticeably shaky against the run. That plays right into the Gators' hands.
3. Get physical with Miami's wide receivers: Expect a fairly conservative Florida offense Saturday, but don't be surprised if the Gators are more aggressive than usual defensively. Florida gave a taste of what it can do mixing up its 3-3-5 base defense and playing off the versatility of Dante Fowler Jr. and Ronald Powell against Toledo. With Loucheiz Purifoy back from suspension, the Gators have their most physical defensive back alongside a myriad of cornerbacks who specialize in press coverage. Look for the Gators to prey on freshman standout Stacy Coley, who showed noticeable nerves in his first game, and shoot to take away Miami's major big-play threats.
4. Keep composure: Saturday's "rivalry" feel has almost nothing to do with series history. The players on both sidelines are too young to remember the days when Florida-Miami actually meant something to the annual state of Florida football. But it will be a rehash of old high school rivalries for several players on both sides. Florida has 10 players whom played high school football in Broward or Miami-Dade County. Personal rivalries could be sparked on the field, and Will Muschamp has already stressed for his team to control its emotions.
5. Avoid costly mistakes on offense: Say what you will about the entertainment value Florida provides, but the Gators have a formula. Chances are, if Driskel and the offense don't turn the ball over Saturday, the Gators will win. The defense is good enough to assume that. Watching Florida is like watching a Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight. Everything the Gators do is calculated and tailored to win albeit in an unremarkable fashion. In week two, expect that kind of game for the Gators. No one will be blown away by Florida Saturday, but 2-0 is all Muschamp cares about.
- See more at: http://florida.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1544740#sthash.HIfkgSwj.dpuf
T-minus 70 hours until kickoff
This chaps my muhfukin hide.
