We all know about Cam and his uncertainty for game 1. Coach Whitt was pretty candid in his interview 2 days ago saying he's hoping but that it is not up to him. In that interview, he stated that B Rose would be their starter if Cam can't go. Rose looked competent and significantly better than the other two options has during their spring game. Yesterday, Rose suffered a significant injury during their scrimmage. Early speculation, via twitter, is a lacerated liver. This leaves Utah with two options: Barnes (who has looked bad in all action ive seen), and an athletic freshman who has little experience and didn't look sharp in the spring game. Utah is a strong team, returning most of their starters from last year (with notable exceptions Kincaid (elite TE), Clark Phillips (elite cb) and a solid Safety). They have some weapons at WR (money parks, transfer pittman from fsu, freshman Mikey Matthews (fast and small), at TE (Kuithe is coming back, and a Kincaid replacement in Yassmin-huge TE whos hard to bring down) and some above average RBs. If they are without Cam, I really like our chances. I thought Rose gave them a chance, but I don't see it with these other 2. Go Gators and lets both have a healthy fall camp here on in.
Without Cam Rising we should be able to run the ball down their throats and shorten the game. We have bigger and better athletes. Without CR, their game plan will be limited.
Without a healthy Rising we shouldn't want to shorten the game. Score and score some more and make them have to throw. It can get ugly then.
First game on the road. Work on the fundamentals, establish the run game, get out of there without injuries. It will be needed against Tennessee.
Play to win the game. Any coach who would play to minimize injuries with the following game in mind is more than likely to lose both.
I would expect Rising to start. Even if he has to stand still. Which then we feast. Both teams played well last year. Both are probably improved. But UF may not show it in the first game on the road with a lot of new players and QB in a new system. Probably come down to defense, big plays, and whoever is more poised in crunch time.
. . . or it may come down to who protected the ball better. If Mertz can manage the game and our young and aggressive defense cause 1-2 TOs by Utah, I really like our chances.
Hate to say it but to me it comes down to who gets the other team off the field more on 3rd down...that was the most telling thing of a horrible last year.
Utah QB did well with his legs and passes to TE last year. If those are taken away, we might do well. Think we have improved defense everywhere but safety. Boone injury hurts as he was ready and now need some youngins to step up on the edge.
I hope our Gators individually and collectively play the best game they’ve ever played… when they take the field against Utah. Hope they come out ready… giving it all they have for the whole game. I’m expecting them to be ready to play… on both sides of the line of scrimmage. I’ve got a feeling that’s what the Gator team wants to. Go Gators Go!
Miller left very big shoes. He made a lot of TD and game saving tackles and QBd the D well. Even if we're stronger and faster the D may take some time to settle in. If they come out solid all round that would be quite something. Boone is a big loss.
If Cam doesn't play we should run a lot of different looks on defense to try to confuse an inexperienced qb.
