Ready, Set, Recruit

The Gators roll in to Miami looking to improve to a .500 record after a less than ideal offensive effort from DJ Lagway against the LSU Tigers. The Gators went into Death Valley with a downtrodden spirit after suffering an upset at the hands of the USF Bulls, but faired fairly well against LSU. Some Florida faithful have blamed DJ Lagway’s 5 interceptions, while a majority have blamed Billy Napier’s play calling.

Regardless of what you think, this game is a must win for the Gators. With all due respect to Florida, Miami has looked excellent, which is why so many analysts are picking Miami to win outright. Who can blame them after Miami’s trouncing of the USF Bulls, who had beat the Gators the week before in the Swamp?

Florida lost a very winnable game at LSU last weekend – and whoever you may blame for that – is an issue that can be corrected. If you are Billy Napier and the Florida Gators, you need to rely heavily on the run game in this matchup. Sophomore runningback Jadan Baugh has averaged 6.6 YPC on 37 carries so far this season, a team high, and the Gators should look to lean on Baugh this Saturday to take pressure off of DJ Lagway. Florida also must convert on third down and make it to third and short consistently. The Gators have only converted 40% of third downs this season, which is not going to win you a lot of football games in the SEC, let alone one of the top teams in the country in Miami.

The Florida defense has been excellent all season, giving up 3 TDs this season, and only 1 to Heisman hopeful Garrett Nussmeier. Their defense has singlehandedly kept them in games this season and I wouldn’t expect any less in this game against Miami. Look out for standout Linebacker Myles Graham for the Gators this Saturday, he has been flying all over the field for them this season, leading the team in total tackles at 17 and has already recorded more solo tackles this season (11) than last season (9).

However, Miami QB Carson Beck may have something to say about the vaunted Florida defense. Beck, the RS SR transfer from Georgia, has completed 79% of his passes this season for 812 yards and 7 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. He has certainly changed the narrative around his play after last year’s struggles at UGA.

Miami’s offense looks efficient, scoring 49 on USF last week, a stark contrast to Florida’s offensive woes this season. Miami’s offense is a balanced attack, mixing in running plays and passing plays almost evenly in their win over the Bulls in Miami last Saturday. Beck is also distributing the ball among his teammates, with 14 different pass catchers having caught at least on ball.

This Gators defense will be a challenge for this veteran QB, and probably will be the best defense he sees all year. Beck will be just as much as a challenge for this young Gators team. Beck did not fair well against the Gator defense in last year’s meeting when he was with Georgia, tossing 3 interceptions en route to a 34-20 win despite his poor performance.

If Miami wants to win, they have to do more of the same: have a balanced offense, keep Carson Beck upright, and pressure DJ Lagway – force him to make mistakes like he did against LSU.

Editor’s Pick

The Miami Hurricanes are potentially the best team in the land as of right now and could very well win the national championship this year. Their offense is still soaring this year, even without the likes of Cam Ward, and their defense has taken a step forward this year. This is the best Canes team we have seen in awhile.

On the other hand, the Florida Gators are in turmoil, with fans revolting against their Head Coach Billy Napier and the offense struggling mightily, the odds are stacked against them. DJ Lagway has looked like a shell of himself and the offense cannot get out of their own way. Things may not turn around until Napier relinquishes play calling duties and hires somebody.

So who wins?

I have Florida winning the game 24-23 in an upset over the Canes.

Florida is just as talented as Miami is on any given Saturday. Given Miami does not really have a homefield advantage I can see Florida going in there and turning the college football world upside down.