Some idiot once wrote several columns and quips about how Florida should have been even more successful than it was in the Steve Spurrier era – with the one national championship helped by a monster break to get a rematch, so …I was young. I needed the work.This is as anecdotal as it gets, but Florida doesn’t seem to have the same national “should-be-a-superpower” thing happening as, say, Texas, Michigan, or USC.Oh, there’s a tradition, but when it comes to the national consciousness, is Florida like Alabama in terms of interest? Again, this is true opinion over a million years of doing this, but no, certainly not at the moment.Maybe it’s because Florida was always SEC Championship-level great under Spurrier, but there was just that one national title.
Maybe it’s because the Urban Meyer story has so many parts to it now that the dominant run with the Gators in the mid-to-late 2000s – binge streaming aside – has been a tad lost. Or maybe it’s because those who remember the Spurrier and Meyer eras could never buy into the idea that Florida was – to borrow the Texas thing – “back” even when Dan Mullen won 21 games in two seasons and Will Muschamp and Jim McElwain had a little bit of success.Maybe it’s because Billy Napier had to dig the program out of a hole, and maybe it’s because it’s been a struggle when it comes to getting the talent in, but the expectations for this should-be-no-excuses-powerhouse program are alarming.Really? The consensus win total is 5.5, and that might seem high if you really dive into this nightmare of a schedule. (Yes, of course, different league, different schedules, different worlds) USF is at 7.5 and Florida Atlantic is at 6.5. Miami and Florida State are at 9.5.Florida International University’s projected win total is one game worse than the University of Florida’s.How weird is this latest run? Florida hasn’t had three straight losing seasons since a four-year stretch of mediocrity from 1935 to 1938.But there’s more depth now. For all the misfires, Napier does have a good starting 22, there is more talent, and this should be a better year with more wins over decent SEC teams.It’s Florida. At some point, it’ll get there
The offensive line. If you’re looking for why the Florida offense hasn’t taken off in the Billy Napier era – at least to the level everyone was hoping for when he came in from Louisiana – it’s the line that’s not opening up the same big, giant holes the Ragin’ Cajuns enjoyed.Injuries have been a problem, and finding the personnel to fit have been an issue. At least when it comes to experience, this version should be the best the Gators have had in years with pieces to move around. Getting Brandon Dickson-Crenshaw from San Diego State for one tackle job was big, OT Austin Barber being healthy again will matter, and this bunch should be better. The interior will be settled, but again, there are options. – The running backs can produce if they get the room. Montrell Johnson is a former Louisiana back who led the Gators with 817 yards and five scores, but Trevor Etienne took off for Georgia. The combination of Treyaun Webb – the third leading rusher last year – and big freshman Jadan Baugh should be okay in the rotation.- That’s the Graham Mertz Wisconsin thought it was getting. He might not have been dynamic last year for the Gators, but the former star QB recruit for the Badgers hit 73% of his passes for 2,903 yards and 20 touchdowns with three picks. He won’t run, but he’ll spread the ball around. Now he needs more time from that line.The receiving corps loses main man Ricky Pearsall, but second-leading receiver Eugene Wilson is back after making 61 grabs and a team-high six scores. Wisconsin transfer Chimere Dike will be a deep threat, and Arizona State transfer Elijhah Badger will be one of the team’s most important targets – he could lead the team in receptions. The tight end situation is deep and terrific, starting with great-looking sophomores Arlis Boardingham and Hayden Hansen.
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