GAINESVILLE, Fla. — In a conference renowned for defense, the most eye-catching statistical ranking is under total offense. Florida is ranked seventh in the SEC.
You expect the Gators to stick out on offense. But not like that.
An offense supposedly running over with speed and playmakers has been slow out of the blocks.
Never mind that Florida is averaging 41 points in its two games. Its 375 yards per game total offense is hardly what you anticipated from a team that returned so many of its best offensive players, including Heisman Trophy quarterback Tim Tebow.
Florida coach Urban Meyer is quick to credit the competition.
“There’s times when I wish we played two Division I-AA teams (to open the season),” Meyer said. “Not Appy State, but two really bad I-AA’s.
“You score 75 points and you do your deal, kids are smiling after, hugging their moms because they got to carry the ball. There’s something to that, but we made a decision to play teams that were good.”
Florida opened with a 56-14 victory over Hawaii, which isn’t as formidable as last year when it went 12-1. Miami’s defense was a step-up, and the Gators sputtered offensively in a 26-3 victory.
The Gators’ most glaring deficiency was in the offensive line, which was expected to be a team strength.
“We had missed assignments,” Meyer said. “A bad deal would be if we got beat up. I didn’t feel that way.
“One position (in the offensive line) had six missed assignments. That’s not functional. That’s like playing with 10 guys. So we’ve got to clean that up.”
The cleanup better be complete by Saturday at Neyland Stadium when the Gators take on an improved Tennessee defense.
The return of fifth-year senior offensive guard Jim Tartt should help. Tartt, who was held out of the Miami game with a shoulder injury, will return to the starting lineup in place of Marcus Gilbert, who had such an awful evening against the Hurricanes.
A healthy Percy Harvin could be an even bigger plus. He sat out the opener and played only sparingly against Miami while continuing his recovery from off-season heel surgery.
Harvin is not only Florida’s top receiver. He’s the Gators’ best running back.
After two games, Louis Murphy, with six catches, is the only Florida wide receiver with more than three pass receptions.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 20
wagee12 writes:
Over the past 15 years, we have seen the Gators sputter in early season contests until to reach their potential in the match with UT. It's Meyer vs. Chavis and that is not good for the Vols. Meyer will have something that the slow adjusting Chavis was not prepared for in this game.
On the other side of the ball, Gator defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, unlike chavis, is not afraid to roll the dice. Strong will load the box to attempt to stifle the Vol running game and force Crompton to try and beat his defense. Again, not a good omen for UT.
FlaVol2 writes:
wagee12 quit being such a pessamist. Chavis is a better defensive coach than most and has put a host of players in the NFL. I think the Vol D will do just fine.
TommyJack writes:
FlaVol2: A host of players in the NFL kept Chavis in a job.
rockytopjeff writes:
JA just LOVES the Gators, LMAO!!!!!
TNfaninMS writes:
HUH? FIRST! Beat that gaterazz
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
"....but we made a decision to play teams that were good."
HA!... the state of FL forces you to play Miami. If Meyer and the FL admin had it their way they would only play FL Atlantic or Int.
I can't deny the strength of FL's program but their non conference scheduling is laughable 24 out of 25 years.
LVVOLJJ writes:
Go vols! Git'er done!
Major_Magilicutty writes:
I want to win just about as much as I want anything in this whole world. Please, oh please, give me a victory tomorrow.
Major_Magilicutty writes:
sorry...did that sound desperate?
FlaVol2 writes:
TommyJack and RichRollin: Think positive, and you have jumped the first hurdle. Go Vols!!!!
CT_VOL writes:
To cheer everyone up, please enjoy watching the gay-turd getting his head crushed!
http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/s...
CoverOrange writes:
Loading comments...
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Man, do not let them jump on us in the 1st quarter. Win the kick and receive. Then try to grind it out.
Phil, don't take the FGs. You must score TDs....
bluetick writes:
Nice post Rich 5.05pm
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
You're exactly right. I'm not going to go all anti-Crompton like these same cats who were screaming for Ainge to be benched and Crompton to go in this time last year, but the execution on his part has been the issue. The plays have been there.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Harvin is a plus, we can hold down Tebow and the punt returner, I think we can beat these guys, and so does Vegas!!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Kicking game is beyond huge. I really fear for this factor. Punts and kickoff returns may be murder.
98reax writes:
Major M, you not only sound desperate, but you sound as if you live in a very tiny world. Surely that's just fanspeak for "I really want to win." Besides, IF we do not come out on the W side of the board today, your heart and your world will be broken. WHAT IF we played the best game possible and the gators won by a 'bad call' like the one we saw a few seasons ago; Would that smash your world? If you answer yes, you should probably go get yourself a stress test. Remember, there's always next time.
northernvavol writes:
could this get any worse??
northernvavol writes:
Good Lord....I cannot believe it's come to this. THIS is the best Tennessee can do?? Florida's a good team to be sure. But come on, they've done nothing inparticularly spectacular in the 1st half,...no, all they've had to do is let Tennessee take Mossberg after Mossberg to their feet...This is just pathetic. The team, the coaching, you name it,...just 2nd rate throughout. Very easy to see how they lost to UCLA isn't it?
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