They live in realville where past performance is a likely indicator of future results.
The Gators were 12th in scoring defense and 11th against the run in 2019, 24th in scoring defense and 49th against the run in 2018 (the transition year.) Obviously 2020 was a complete meltdown. Greenard - 3* transfer - made a huge difference in 2019. Losing him & Zuniga in the first 2-3 plays vs. LSU was disastrous. That’s why we have 2 dozen (literally about 12) LB/DE Buck types. Much depends on whether any of them can terrorize QBs. Cox? Princely?
Add to that the fact that we have 9 DL over 300, 10 if you count that Watson takes up 2 seats in the room. Donk’s big butts are here, thanks to the transfer portal. Carter is a legit 285lb talented DE. Dexter is an insanely quick 300lb+ 6’6” guy to rush up the middle on passing plays.
I think we are solid at LB & will be fine at CB.
The biggest question is having that star who can play it like Chauncey. Next biggest are the Safeties. We can’t be any worse than the last few years. I think we will be better and helped a lot by the front 7.
Offensively, Mullen will move the ball & average at least 32ppg. His run game will work with our QBs and I look for Whittemore to emerge as a star. Im looking for Braun & White to lead the OL to improve.
Special teams haven’t been as special as they should be. We’ve had great punters and kickers, but coverage hasn’t been great and we haven’t blocked many. I expect that to continue, but maybe the punter & kicker are very good rather than excellent.
The most important games are 1. UGLY 2. UGA & 3. Georgia. I will join the HBC and say we’ve got a real chance to beat Bama, and I think we have a good shot at beating LSU. But UGA counts as 2 games.
So…the path is always the same.
Hold serve in the Swamp, win the ones we should on the road and split UGA & LSU. If we can win the ones we should and go 2-1 vs. the 3 big ones, 11-1. More likely 10-2 or 9-3. But I’m going to say 11-1.
Even 11-1 might not get us to Atlanta. UGA will be favored in every game they play, so as usual we must beat them. At least we get our toughest game at home. Beat them and hope they lose one they shouldn’t. (Come on Kirby! You can do it!!!)