Gators #1 team "who could crash the College Football Playoff Party" according to Steele

[PhD Gator]

Just saw this article on ESPN. Thoughts?

http://insider.espn.com/college-foo...ida-gators-miami-hurricanes-stanford-cardinal

Here is what he says about the Gators:

1. Florida Gators

Florida has made the last two SEC title games despite losing their QB to injury both years and, overall, having a below-average offense. This year, whoever starts at QB will be surrounded by talent at running back, wide receiver, tight end and the offensive line. The Gators have three possible quarterbacks. Luke Del Rio looked good to start last year but then got hurt. Felipe Franks is 6-foot-6 and 219 pounds and has a rocket arm -- he just needs some experience. And I picked the Gators as my No. 1 surprise team even before Malik Zaire announced he was transferring to Gainesville. Last year, the defense was hit hard by injuries in the second half of the year, which forced some young players into action. A player like defensive end Jabari Zuniga will benefit from that, and Florida will have its usual top-10 defense. In addition, the Gators have my No. 3 special-teams group in the country. Florida lost out last year when its home game versus LSU was moved, but that will benefit the Gators this year as they have only three true road games (Kentucky, South Carolina, Vanderbilt). They face Michigan in the opener, but the Wolverines are one of the nation's least-experienced teams and Florida is their first game. The Gators can afford one loss, and if they are in the SEC title game, they're still just one win away from the playoff. I predict they will find a QB and an offense and match it up with a strong defense and special-teams unit. With a favorable schedule, this likely preseason non-top 10 team has a shot at winning it all.​

 

[ThreatMatrix]

I just don't see it.
We have the #3 ST unit solely on the legs of our kickers. It certainly isn't because of the play of the unit. And we are woefully thin. By the end of the year there's gonna be few 3*s on the field. And we still have on OC that hasn't managed better than a triple digit offense. An average QB may make us average but we ain't winning any games against top 5 or maybe even top 10 teams.

 

[gardnerwebbgator]

 

[CGgater]

SEC Country mentioned Steele has us as his top dark horse for the playoffs. I'm hoping this isn't one of those rare moments when Phil is off his rocker.

Edit: surprised BMF hasn't already posted a link to that article. I would have, but almost none of you jerks ever comment when I post those links.

 

[Durty South Swamp]

Steele has never met nord lol

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I'd much rather be a team of bluechippers who are expected to be in the playoffs.

 

[-THE DUDE-]

Our offense might be improved but surprisingly now we probably don't have the defense to do it...hope I'm wrong but there is no Playoff scenario in our future this year IMO. I could see us winning the East again though...whatever that is worth

 

[Bait'n Gator]

And I thought I drank too much.

 

[Gator2222]

Does this make Steele a pumper?

 

[t-gator]

Does this make Steele a pumper?

No. I would use the word alcoholic.

 

[Gator Fever]

Does this make Steele a pumper?

More likely a bunch of weed led to this prediction.

 

[InstiGATOR1]

I'd much rather be a team of bluechippers who are expected to be in the playoffs.

Actually he is saying UF has a bunch of bluechippers and might slightly surprise and make the playoffs. You are acting like he is saying UF is the most likely long shot to shock the world and make the playoffs.

 

[GatorTAG]

Steele is usually pretty sharp. But the fact that he thinks Mac lost his QB's the past 2 years due to injury shows me he hasn't been paying attention to us at all and throws everything he saying into question.

 

[Omar's Coming Yo!]

Steele predictions are almost never right except if they involve Bama. He picked UGA and LSU to make the CFP in 2015, UT to win the East last year, UF to Make the fiesta bowl in 2014 with Oregon St and Minney in the orange bowl in 2014 and FSU to win the NC in 2012.

 

[TaterGator]

I haven't followed how accurate Steele's predictions are, but I promise to follow this one closely. I'll let you guys know how it turns out since yall obviously don't follow football here on this board. (that was sarcasm before I get attacked)

 

[Gatorbait25]

I'd feel a lot better about the offense if Franks could hit something besides the deep ball. Usually you don't take much out of spring games, but I counted two easy scores where he sailed the pass nowhere near the receiver. Once to Hammond and once to Powell. This is an indication that our RZ offense will be a challenge once again. This time with Franks under center and Nuss calling plays. Maybe we we will Zaire and his legs more in the redzone than in any other portion of the field, but as it stands now this is probably a 24 to 27 ppg team. Which means we will be playing in a lot of close games where a play or two often times decides the outcome.

 

[BMF]

This is no knock on Zuniga. He seems like he's going to be a solid player and even McElwain has mentioned him as having a good off-season. He's made several "watch lists" and even some pre-season All-SEC 3rd teams. He keeps getting a lot of mention as a key player on our 2017 D.

But, here's the kicker: he's NOT THE STARTER!!!! That's Jefferson & Sherit (if he's healthy). Sherit is a senior who is an every down DE who has size, unlike most of our other 240-250lb DE's. I've seen projected starters on other sites (gatorcountry and 247) who have K. Davis as the other starter, opposite Jefferson....not Zuniga.

One of the watch lists I read called him a "sack specialist". WTF? He had 4 sacks vs. NT & UMass (when, as a RSFreshman, he was in the game late when they were passing trying to play catch up).....and then ONE the rest of the year. And all of a sudden he's a "sack specialist"??

I like Steele and think he's the best at what he does (analysis of CFB teams for betting purposes). But he, along w/ a lot of other pundits, have gotten a little ahead of themselves here....

 

[ThreatMatrix]

This is no knock on Zuniga. He seems like he's going to be a solid player and even McElwain has mentioned him as having a good off-season. He's made several "watch lists" and even some pre-season All-SEC 3rd teams. He keeps getting a lot of mention as a key player on our 2017 D.

But, here's the kicker: he's NOT THE STARTER!!!! That's Jefferson & Sherit (if he's healthy). Sherit is a senior who is an every down DE who has size, unlike most of our other 240-250lb DE's. I've seen projected starters on other sites (gatorcountry and 247) who have K. Davis as the other starter, opposite Jefferson....not Zuniga.

One of the watch lists I read called him a "sack specialist". WTF? He had 4 sacks vs. NT & UMass (when, as a RSFreshman, he was in the game late when they were passing trying to play catch up).....and then ONE the rest of the year. And all of a sudden he's a "sack specialist"??

I like Steele and think he's the best at what he does (analysis of CFB teams for betting purposes). But he, along w/ a lot of other pundits, have gotten a little ahead of themselves here....

You are totally discounting that his name is Zu-niga. And with a name like Zu-niga you got to be great.

 

[BMF]

You are totally discounting that his name is Zu-niga. And with a name like Zu-niga you got to be great.

True. True...

 

[Swamp Donkey]

But, here's the kicker: he's NOT THE STARTER!!!! That's Jefferson & Sherit (if he's healthy). Sherit is a senior who is an every down DE who has size, unlike most of our other 240-250lb DE's. .

Dude, Sherit IS a 250 pounder. We have a bunch of 220-240s behind him though. I WISH he were DE size, 270ish, but I guess it just isnt going to happen. He sets the edge well, but isnt much at the point. Still our best option if things dont change.

CeCe is also undersized, but didnt play well with more weight.