- Oct 5, 2017
- 2,303
- 6,263
That was fun. Some good, some bad, but the biggest margin we've beaten Tennessee by since '07 and the lowest they have scored since we beat them 31-0 in 1994. What a way to honor the '94 team, by beat Tennessee by the same margin, with almost the exact score. In case you missed it, the '94 team was celebrated during the game. And yes, the title is a reference to Rocky Top and the player who didn't seem to know how to use a standard phone.
Offense
There are things to like about how the offense looked and some things not to like. Let's start with playcalling. UF was dominant through the air most of the game, but for some reason, Mullen wanted to try and force the run, and not just the run, the run to the right side of the line. The right side of the line has been the biggest disappointment for me so far this year. I thought that Delance would be better then he has been. With that said if he's been inconsistent, and was benched at times last week, why try to force the ball his way early and often? Meanwhile, the left side of the line had plenty of good runs. Some bad, but overall good. Also, let's stop with the predictable QB Keeper on 4th down. Getting to the 10 and beginning to run after we've driven through passing is stupid, see first field goal drive. I want to get the run going better as much as everyone, but if it works, do it until the defense stops it.
Trask
Defense
Pretty good day, but there are still kinks to work out. The Tennessee scoring drive is probably the best example I can give, not just because its a scoring drive, but because there is a specific issue. Example, a big throw to Johnson for 21 yards. It's 2nd and 3, Davis is in line up 15 yards of of Johnson, the inside of a trips of receivers. Johnson just needs to run a two yard slant to get the ball in space which happens and he gets plenty of YAC. It's not like there was a linebacker lined up where they could easily move into the slant route until Davis could get forward. Against better receivers and teams this could hurt us more. We need to find a good balance between a press and blitz and playing so far off receivers its an easy reception.
Getting Burney back was nice. He had a good interception and did well with other things. Also, lead us in tackles. It also helped as Ventrell Miller got injured early and didn't appear to return. Greenard continues to be a beast. Adding 3 pass break ups and a forced fumble to his resume.
Students
The Student Section continues to embarrass. Lots of low seats empty again at kickoff. For those following me on Twitter, I posted some pics. It does seem like Stricklin is looking into what to do according to a response I saw him make on Twitter. It's one thing for student's to make an excuse of UT-Martin, but that doesn't fly when its Tennessee.
My solution, note what block it is and disband the block for 4 years so that none of the students will in theory will be eligible for block seating during their time in Gainesville. Is this harsh? Yes, but I'm tired of excuses. In a perfect world, it would all be General Admission, but unfortunately its not. We are talking massing openings down low where entire blocks haven't arrived, if you don't want to watch from good seats, you don't deserve to have access to good seats.
Around the Nation
We are 4-0 for the first time since 2015 and only the 4th time this decade and that's not nothing. First time we are 4-0 with 3 power 5 wins this decade. We go for 5-0 in the Swamp next week.
Go Gators!
Offense
There are things to like about how the offense looked and some things not to like. Let's start with playcalling. UF was dominant through the air most of the game, but for some reason, Mullen wanted to try and force the run, and not just the run, the run to the right side of the line. The right side of the line has been the biggest disappointment for me so far this year. I thought that Delance would be better then he has been. With that said if he's been inconsistent, and was benched at times last week, why try to force the ball his way early and often? Meanwhile, the left side of the line had plenty of good runs. Some bad, but overall good. Also, let's stop with the predictable QB Keeper on 4th down. Getting to the 10 and beginning to run after we've driven through passing is stupid, see first field goal drive. I want to get the run going better as much as everyone, but if it works, do it until the defense stops it.
Trask
- Underthrown ball to Grimes, if thrown on time it's a TD, I'll happily take the 43 yard gain. The problem is, against better secondaries, that ball may be picked.
- High throw to Pitts, but in stride for 19 yards and a TD. Good first drive, which also included him keeping the ball on a read option around left end for 8 yards and a first down.
- Great throw to Copeland for 21 and a first down off of play action. My brother and I both took notice of Copeland before the play and weren't surprised to see his first touch.
- Good 15 yard throw over the middle to Pitts.
- Check down to Perine for 7 yards.
- Overthrew Swain on a post, but go hit while throwing.
- 17 yard strike to Pitts.
- 19 yard corner route to Cleveland.
- Good throwaway, nothing open on 3rd and goal. The playcall here was suspect. a rollout to the short side of the field (It's natural to go right for a right hander, it just also limits receiver room). Further, there was only one possible receiver on the play.
- Good throw to Cleveland for 16 yards.
- High throw to Cleveland who makes a nice catch for 8 yards.
- Pass over the middle to Hammond for 10 yards.
- Good throwaway under pressure.
- Great throw to Swain for 24 yards and a first down.
- Underneath to Jefferson for 4 yards. Jefferson, in my opinion, needlessly jumps. If he doesn't jump he may score.
- Great defensive play by Tennessee to break up a slant throw to Swain.
- Screen to Jefferson for 10.
- Screen to Swain for 14, good throw by Trask as the CB lined up with Swain is coming on the blitz. Was it a designed screen or smart play by Trask/Swain? Designed, Forsythe and co. are sprinting out to Swain when the ball is snapped if it wasn't designed. (There was debate in the stands). Still a good play, just not the audible on the fly some thought it was.
- Great 29 yard post route to Swain in the endzone for the TD.
- Pick, corner route to Krull. Possibly thrown just a bit low. If throwing in that coverage to Krull, put it high where either your 6'6" TE gets it or no one does.
- TIGHT window on the slant to Jefferson for 6 yards and a first down. Ball just beats the Tennessee defender's arm swinging for it.
- Good throwaway under pressure.
- Tried to dump to Jefferson under pressure, but falls incomplete.
- Pitts man falls down and is hit on the slant for 11 yards.
- PICK. This ball leads Grimes perfectly...except there's a safety there. I will say though, Grimes could recognize this, turn his body and box out the defender and high point the ball. Throwing into double coverage isn't good, but a little different technique by Grimes could of turned this into a TD.
- Copeland drops the 300 yard passing ball for Trask. Great throw, which Copeland slows down and then can't catch up on. It was noticeable live as well.
- Hits Grimes for 17 yards over the middle.
- Swing to Perine for 1 yard.
- Trask screen to Copeland for 1 yard. Sad this was his last pass. Wish we could have gotten him another to go over 300 for the day.
- Screen to Pierce for 0. Ball put Pierce too wide and into the CB setting the edge. A yard or two shorter, Pierce can cut in and has blockers.
- Screen to Davis for 5 yards.
- Good throw to Jefferson for 11 yards.
- Screen to Davis for 4 yards.
- Throw just too wide for Jaylin Jackson on an out route.
- Dangerous throw into double coverage to Copeland who can't bring it in.
Defense
Pretty good day, but there are still kinks to work out. The Tennessee scoring drive is probably the best example I can give, not just because its a scoring drive, but because there is a specific issue. Example, a big throw to Johnson for 21 yards. It's 2nd and 3, Davis is in line up 15 yards of of Johnson, the inside of a trips of receivers. Johnson just needs to run a two yard slant to get the ball in space which happens and he gets plenty of YAC. It's not like there was a linebacker lined up where they could easily move into the slant route until Davis could get forward. Against better receivers and teams this could hurt us more. We need to find a good balance between a press and blitz and playing so far off receivers its an easy reception.
Getting Burney back was nice. He had a good interception and did well with other things. Also, lead us in tackles. It also helped as Ventrell Miller got injured early and didn't appear to return. Greenard continues to be a beast. Adding 3 pass break ups and a forced fumble to his resume.
Students
The Student Section continues to embarrass. Lots of low seats empty again at kickoff. For those following me on Twitter, I posted some pics. It does seem like Stricklin is looking into what to do according to a response I saw him make on Twitter. It's one thing for student's to make an excuse of UT-Martin, but that doesn't fly when its Tennessee.
My solution, note what block it is and disband the block for 4 years so that none of the students will in theory will be eligible for block seating during their time in Gainesville. Is this harsh? Yes, but I'm tired of excuses. In a perfect world, it would all be General Admission, but unfortunately its not. We are talking massing openings down low where entire blocks haven't arrived, if you don't want to watch from good seats, you don't deserve to have access to good seats.
Around the Nation
- UCF finally loses at Pitt. I have seen a post this morning about how Clemson was the last undefeated team to lose the Pitt by 1 and they won a National Title, so its not over. It's over.
- For the second year in a row, Louisville snatches defeat from the jaws of victory by throwing late picks against FSU.
- Transitive property time, App State beat UNC who beat USCe and Miami, App State could be first in the Coastal or 6th in the East.
- I think Wisconsin just scored again.
- Anyone see how Leach's boys just blew their inexplicable game for this season? Chip Kelly gets his first win on the season by coming from 29 down.
- LSU's defense continues to be unstoppable to go with their offense as I've heard for weeks. This time holding Vandy to only 38 points.
- Auburn looks good when Nix doesn't have to do much.
- That kid from #FailState sure looked good with a start and Kentucky wasn't ready for their first road game.
We are 4-0 for the first time since 2015 and only the 4th time this decade and that's not nothing. First time we are 4-0 with 3 power 5 wins this decade. We go for 5-0 in the Swamp next week.
Go Gators!