Ackerman: Drew Lock vs. UF Secondary

[BMF]

Lock is the top passer in the SEC. This should be a good match up, need to get pressure from the depleted DL though. I'd like to see at least 2 INTs....

https://gridironnow.com/florida-missouri-pass-offense-pass-defense/

Drew Lock, Mizzou passing attack vs. Jalen Tabor, Florida secondary should be fun to watch

By Brady Ackerman

Saturday’s Florida-Missouri game will match the SEC’s best pass offense against the league’s best pass defense.

Mizzou is averaging 350.6 passing yards per game, which is eighth nationally, behind sophomore quarterback Drew Lock and new offensive coordinator Josh Heupel. Florida is surrendering just 139.8 passing yards per game, which is fourth nationally.

Missouri’s scheme has some similarities to the one Tennessee used successfully in the second half to torch the Gators for 35 points. The man-to-man scheme used by UF gave up 235 yards on nine completions and four touchdowns in the second. The key will be mixing up coverages to avoid letting Lock get into a rhythm.

Florida CB Quincy Wilson figures to have a few opportunities for an interception against pass-happy Missouri. KIM KLEMENT/USA TODAY SPORTS

Florida has eight interceptions in the past four games, including two in that game on Rocky Top, and has 18 pass breakups on the season. Cornerback Jalen Tabor has three interceptions and corner Quincy Wilson has two. Despite the second half against Tennessee, Florida leads the league in interceptions and leads the nation in completion-percentage defense (opposing quarterbacks are completing just 39.0 percent of their passes).

Missouri likes to use some of the new-look RPO (run-pass option) offense, with the quick passing game integrated. Lock will fake a shotgun handoff, then get the ball out quickly, often on a slant route. The routes are mostly toward the middle of the field, which has been a trouble spot for the Gators' coverage this season.

Tigers junior J'Mon Moore – a big guy (6 feet 3, 205 pounds) with good speed – has been the beneficiary these types of throws. He leads the SEC with six TD receptions, but LSU held him to one catch two weeks ago by mixing coverages and being physical with him.

In addition, you have to take some of Missouri's passing success with a grain of salt. Lock has thrown 14 TD passes, but 10 have come against Eastern Michigan and Delaware State. In Mizzou's two conference games, Lock is averaging 271.5 yards, with three TDs and all four of his interceptions.

One key for Florida will be its pass rush. If the Gators can pressure Lock on the quick throws, expect to see Tabor and Wilson jump some routes.

One challenge presented by the Tigers' passing game is the up-tempo nature after a big play. Whether it's a big gain via run or pass, they quickly get to the line and run another play. This is a reason Florida play some zone against hurry-up teams. Not that the Gators shouldn't play man-to-man, but they should mix in some zone and some safety help over the top when playing man.

A final thought: Keep an eye on the amount of plays Mizzou has. The Tigers are averaging 78 plays per game, and anything over 70 is a bad sign for the secondary. LSU beat Mizzou 42-7, and limited Mizzou to just 60 plays.

Lock and Missouri present a good challenge for Florida's secondary – and an opportunity for the unit to shine.

 

[ATXGator]

Time for these guys to live up to their self-promoting

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Whehhhhh....Ackerman.

We dont play bad zone bc we are tired from playing too much man, we are bad at zone bc we have poor players for playing zone. Any OC who doesnt abuse our safeties and nickel doesnt deserve a job. Those matchups are easy pickins against our defense.

We have a few pass rushers but no run stuffers on the DL. Our DL will do ok vs Mizzu bc Mizzu isnt a power running team.

As for them playing the spread, who cares. They will rack up some yards but like every othwr spread, they cant do squat in the redzone like every other spread team.

 

[deuce]

We were overly aggressive in the 2nd half of the UT game. We need to play with more patience and let the play come to us. Tabor and Wilson gamble too much trying to make "splash" plays!

 

[InstiGATOR1]

Big surprise always behind Missouri piles up lots of passing yards. In terms of QB rating passing offense

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/average-team-passer-rating

UMo ranks 51 in the country one slot above the 52nd QB rating ranked offense, UF! that strikes fear in the hearts of DBs everywhere.

As far as defenses UF's defense has an opponents QB rating that is 3rd in the country:

https://www.teamrankings.com/college-football/stat/opponent-average-team-passer-rating

 

[ATXGator]

We were overly aggressive in the 2nd half of the UT game. We need to play with more patience and let the play come to us. Tabor and Wilson gamble too much trying to make "splash" plays!

Except Tabor and Wilson weren't really getting burned in the UT game. Outside of one play where Tabor fell down they pretty much kept the play in front of them. Yes guys made catches, but that will happen when a QB is giving time against man D. The big plays that really hurt us were made against Dawson.

To Law's point... anybody who doesn't go directly after Duke Dawson from a match-up perspective shouldn't have a job in college football. We need to figure out how to support Duke and put more pressure on the QB. We pressured Dobbs well in the first half, but in the second half we lost contain on him too many times. I think keeping him in the pocket and making him throw while feeling pressure would have been the way to go (we did that in the first half)

 

[Swamp Donkey]

they pretty much kept the play in front of them.

Giving me some Zook flashbacks. Concede the pass and just keep it in front of you. So much Zook.

 

[BMF]

Except Tabor and Wilson weren't really getting burned in the UT game. Outside of one play where Tabor fell down they pretty much kept the play in front of them. Yes guys made catches, but that will happen when a QB is giving time against man D. The big plays that really hurt us were made against Dawson.

To Law's point... anybody who doesn't go directly after Duke Dawson from a match-up perspective shouldn't have a job in college football. We need to figure out how to support Duke and put more pressure on the QB. We pressured Dobbs well in the first half, but in the second half we lost contain on him too many times. I think keeping him in the pocket and making him throw while feeling pressure would have been the way to go (we did that in the first half)

When a DB "fell down" he got burned. No other way to look at it. "Oh, if he hadn't fallen down that play wouldn't have happened!" Yeah, right.

DB "falls" = DB got burned

 

[ATXGator]

Giving me some Zook flashbacks. Concede the pass and just keep it in front of you. So much Zook.

The reality is that you aren't going to knock down every pass. My comment about them keeping the pass in front of them was more that they tackled the ball carrier pretty closely after the ball was caught. They didn't seem to be taking crazy risks... IMO (speaking of Tabor and Quincy)

 

[TheBigClaw]

They got schooled by a 3-2 LSU team and only scored 7 points. We should not fear their passing attack whatsoever.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I wasnt criticizing the assessment, ATX. It is accurate. Im criticizing the soft off coverages we drop into in the second half most games. I just despise Bend and Break defenses. Why given them the opportunity to develop confidence and get their mojo back. Contest every pass and good one them if they occasionally break one. Sitting back just results in a tired defense and usually a loss.

 

[gatormandan]

They got schooled by a 3-2 LSU team and only scored 7 points. We should not fear their passing attack whatsoever.

And how many yards did forehead boy throw against us? You know, the one who cant pass?

 

[TheBigClaw]

And how many yards did forehead boy throw against us? You know, the one who cant pass?

That was an unacceptable game. We still have first class corners and shouldn't be afraid of their passing attack.


Well, 2 first class corners and Dawson.....

 

[playzwtrux]

whomever suggested to Tyler Moore to enter the NFL draft early, i want that guy to talk to Dawson

 

[BMF]

whomever suggested to Tyler Moore to enter the NFL draft early, i want that guy to talk to Dawson

Agree. What a terrible decision. He would have made a big difference last year also. It would have also allowed one or more of the true freshman who played last year a chance to redshirt and get real development. Dawson would likely get a late round flyer from someone, but if he comes back he'd likely be a starting CB.

 

[Jbossgator8]

We better be on our A game in the secondary or else they will light us up just like Dobbs did...