Florida Defense is moving in the right direction

We are mediocre at best as a team but have seen improvement. The culture is kicking in and I like that the team keeps fighting they aren’t mailing it in. Just need a few more Jimmie’s and joes and from what I am hearing they are coming. I think AA as DC is growing with this young team and every game they play they are getting a little better. We are 5-3 could be much worse could have the gamecocks record 2-6. A great program is not built overnight the team has taken some lumps and will take some more but we are moving forward not back. We all wanted to beat Georgia and Caintuck but I think Caintuck got its last victory against us moving forward but Georgia might be a couple of seasons away. It takes time to stock pile talent and we are definitely getting there. A blind man can see that!

 

Growing pains. We will be elite and deep in 26. Enjoy the Journey.

 

Difference between last year and this year …

Last year: too many big plays

This year: too many big plays … AND no sacks … AND no turnovers

 

You are soooo funny!
Nice to get a good chuckle on our gators, isn't it?

 

There is no doubt that AA is an improvement over Toney. That's as plain as day. We still aren't that great though, because Toney was terrible and our defense is still pretty bad.

 

Florida defense is so bizarre. Giving up huge plays or not much. Boom or bust.

Currently #98 in Yards per Play (5.97), which is bad, and actually worse than last year (5.92) (although the relative ranking the year was lower #103).
So although there has been no seeming improvement there, where UF has improved is in 3rd down - where this year they are #32 at 31.87% vs #129 last year allowing 49.71%.

So when Florida is not giving up big plays they are getting off the field.

The next step in being an OK defense is not giving up big plays.

UF is slightly better this year against the run, only giving up 4.34 yards per carry vs. 4.49 last year - still only good enough for #85 in the country.
Where Florida has regressed is pass defense - passer rating defense down from 135.25 rating, 60.6% completions allowed, 17 TD, 9 INT, 7.7 YPA, to 144.14, 60.9% completions, 7.9 yards per attempt, 12 TD, 2 INT, and that is largely because of a lack of turnovers. Maybe some of that is because our pass rush isn't as good as last year. Hard to say.

It'll be interesting to see how this unit finishes out the year. They will need to step up big the next 4 games.

 

Yeah, I’m just trying to be mean.

 

Very concerned about the safety room. We started out with six players and now have three, which are struggling because of talent?, youth?, or no push up front?

 

For the common SEC opponents from last year, Tennessee is the only school where we improved in yards per play. We gave up fewer yards to Georgia this year, but ....

 

Per Will Miles Gators gave up 6.8 ypp vs KY, 6.5 vs Vandy, 7.5 vs USCe and 7.4 vs UGA.

Essentially, UF turned all four into the #1 offense in the nation.

 

At least our defense is getting them off the field quickly

 

Wait till next, next, next year...like it!

 

It's the key to inner peace and sexual prowess.

 

without being critical of any one player or even naming them , our talent level at most positions on the defense is not where it needs to be . one area in particular is the Dline

 

Divirgilio is high in the defense, more or less. Says we need more sec lb’s — and lo and behold, they are coming! Feels AA is calling good games. Lack of an edge rusher is also a key missing ingredient…. But he’s bullish long term.

 

Some posters feel like James is unduly harsh. I think he’s fairly charitable.

 

The Great defenses create havoc right up the middle. That should be the main focus imo

 

Not to turn this into an NIL thing but if the LOS is such a big issue, do we (or other teams) start ponying up the dough for an elite DT or OT?
Are the LOS positions worth more NIL money than say a LB or WR?

 

He refers to James as our only SEC LB, will be interesting to see how accurate that assessment is now that we don't have him. If he is right, woo boy it's going to be a rough final stretch.

 

it's going to be a rough stretch. We really need to play our best game of the year and find a way against Arky.