[Warning: Very long]
So in my anticipation of Saturday, I faced a fear of mine, something I vowed not to do following Medley's malady...I rewatched the 2015 Florida game. The reason is simple, they return a ton of starters on defense, as we do on offense. This is a rematch in the truest sense of the word, both individual and scheme wise.
A lot has been made of our offensive line woes and for good reason, but what we should remember, what made the difference last year against Florida was running Dobbs and creating offensive multiplicity. Where we struggled was when we stopped being multiple and stopped attacking different pressure points in Florida's D. Multiplicity is the key to beating the gators, and here are my thoughts on how to attack Florida's defense based on my review of last year's film and what I've seen from our offense this year. No apologies for the length, and no apologies for the positivity.
1) Use Florida's aggression against them.
--> The Gators scream to the ball. They attack quickly and are over aggressive. This is true of almost every position on their defense, it is their identity. While the natural counter to this are screens, what will likely be more effective are QB delayed runs with Hurd as a lead blocker. This gives us the numbers advantage and it allows parts of our OL to gate block and usher Florida's aggressive DL upfield leaving Dobbs with room to make plays at the second level.
At corner, Tabor and Wilson will want come up aggressively to make plays as the Gators will employ a healthy dose of Tampa 2. They'll use this coverage combined with Cover 6 (Cover 2 to one side or Cover 4/Man to the other) and straight man with a free safety overtop. We'll need to hit quick seams/hitches off our run fakes and attack their linebackers in coverage. Their linebackers can hit, but they are vulnerable to quicker slot receivers like Smith and Byrd. Hitting these routes will use the linebackers aggression against them and free up running lanes inside, plus these are easier, safer throws for Dobbs.
2) Test Florida's Corners Deep down the sideline
--> One glaring omission in our offense strategy last year were passing attacks against their corners in cover 0. We have to recognize when they are in this and make them pay. I think this year, we see some deep shots and we hit them. Dobbs has been good with back shoulder throws in the past, and Florida will be sitting on this. A quick head fake by our receivers could force the gators to try to find the ball in the blind spot early and lose coverage.
Another thing that plays to our advantage is that Florida will want to stack the box and leave its corners sometimes in man in order to free up their safeties and linebackers. When this happens, J. Malone, J. Jennings, P. Williams, and maybe J. George will have great one-on-one matchups and the potential to win 50/50 balls. I also think T. Byrd could do some damage in the slot on a quick inside go route combined with a dig or a post. I think Dobbs can make these throws, as he's done this year, and I believe that Wilson and Tabor can potentially get torched if we use quick double moves and our size while having Dobbs in a max protect shell that looks like we're going to run the ball. They have good size (roster 6"0, 6"1), but we have better size (6"3, 6"4s), and at the very least, I think we can draw some PI calls. Plus, I'll take J. Jennings in a phone booth any day.
3) Work the 8 yard ins, crossers, jet sweeps, and quick screens
--> Florida will run blitz. When it does, we need to be able to hit quick strikes across the center of the field. We'll need to get Kamara and Byrd going across the formation quickly and violently. And on the outside, J. Croom and J. Jennings need to be turned loose to tee off on Tabor and Wilson on WR screen blocking assignments. This needs to be an aggressive fight from the start. J. Jennings and J. Croom can set the tone for the team if they hit a solid block on Tabor and Wilson, which can then lead to them overplaying the screen pass and getting beat overtop. As far as being nasty to the assholes, I doubt Jennings or Croom need motivation. #WGWTFA
4) Get Hurd running downhill and hit the seams
--> Jalen had a good game against Florida last year, but where he struggled (except for one glorious run) was when Florida spilled the ball to the outside and strung out his runs. He's too tall to consistently win one-on-one matchups on the outside as his tall frame provides a large strike zone. Instead, he is best in inside counter and trap plays. To be successful with this, however, we'll need to throw quick hitters to Wolf and Croom when the LBs come forward. This is why I think you saw a good amount of two tight-end sets. It allows one to pull and the other to line up where we can throw the hitch or a quick seam.
5) Get Dobbs running early and often; Protect the football
--> Dobbs gets his swagger when he can get his legs going. It's like a boxer landing his favorite punch, and when he does, he's able to open up his entire arsenal. Early QB power runs, early pulls on the read option, and early quick strikes on slants and hitches can get him in rhythm. On the flip side, Dobbs has to hold onto the ball. He's going to take some shots, so at the point of contact, he needs two hands, no matter if it slows him up. I believe he's going to have a big game, and I predict 125 yards on ground for him and 150+ through the air, with some jump ball TDs for Malone and Jennings.
Conclusion: We are better offensively than we've played, and I do believe we've subtly worked on a few key components each game that demonstrate our offensive improvement despite the overall dissatisfaction that many of us rightly have. But Florida struggles against Dobbs in the worst way. Their aggression doesn't suit them except at the point of contact, and with the right combination of power and misdirection, we can turn that against them.
Call me crazy, but I truly believe we deceptively have many advantages in this matchup. If we avoid straight drop backs, limit long action on our play action plays, roll Dobbs out for quick hitters in the flat against their linebackers and get the ball out of his hands quickly, we can throw the ball against these assholes.
I believe we put up 31 points offensively. Depends on Dobbs; I think he makes himself a legend.
GBO
So in my anticipation of Saturday, I faced a fear of mine, something I vowed not to do following Medley's malady...I rewatched the 2015 Florida game. The reason is simple, they return a ton of starters on defense, as we do on offense. This is a rematch in the truest sense of the word, both individual and scheme wise.
A lot has been made of our offensive line woes and for good reason, but what we should remember, what made the difference last year against Florida was running Dobbs and creating offensive multiplicity. Where we struggled was when we stopped being multiple and stopped attacking different pressure points in Florida's D. Multiplicity is the key to beating the gators, and here are my thoughts on how to attack Florida's defense based on my review of last year's film and what I've seen from our offense this year. No apologies for the length, and no apologies for the positivity.
1) Use Florida's aggression against them.
--> The Gators scream to the ball. They attack quickly and are over aggressive. This is true of almost every position on their defense, it is their identity. While the natural counter to this are screens, what will likely be more effective are QB delayed runs with Hurd as a lead blocker. This gives us the numbers advantage and it allows parts of our OL to gate block and usher Florida's aggressive DL upfield leaving Dobbs with room to make plays at the second level.
At corner, Tabor and Wilson will want come up aggressively to make plays as the Gators will employ a healthy dose of Tampa 2. They'll use this coverage combined with Cover 6 (Cover 2 to one side or Cover 4/Man to the other) and straight man with a free safety overtop. We'll need to hit quick seams/hitches off our run fakes and attack their linebackers in coverage. Their linebackers can hit, but they are vulnerable to quicker slot receivers like Smith and Byrd. Hitting these routes will use the linebackers aggression against them and free up running lanes inside, plus these are easier, safer throws for Dobbs.
2) Test Florida's Corners Deep down the sideline
--> One glaring omission in our offense strategy last year were passing attacks against their corners in cover 0. We have to recognize when they are in this and make them pay. I think this year, we see some deep shots and we hit them. Dobbs has been good with back shoulder throws in the past, and Florida will be sitting on this. A quick head fake by our receivers could force the gators to try to find the ball in the blind spot early and lose coverage.
Another thing that plays to our advantage is that Florida will want to stack the box and leave its corners sometimes in man in order to free up their safeties and linebackers. When this happens, J. Malone, J. Jennings, P. Williams, and maybe J. George will have great one-on-one matchups and the potential to win 50/50 balls. I also think T. Byrd could do some damage in the slot on a quick inside go route combined with a dig or a post. I think Dobbs can make these throws, as he's done this year, and I believe that Wilson and Tabor can potentially get torched if we use quick double moves and our size while having Dobbs in a max protect shell that looks like we're going to run the ball. They have good size (roster 6"0, 6"1), but we have better size (6"3, 6"4s), and at the very least, I think we can draw some PI calls. Plus, I'll take J. Jennings in a phone booth any day.
3) Work the 8 yard ins, crossers, jet sweeps, and quick screens
--> Florida will run blitz. When it does, we need to be able to hit quick strikes across the center of the field. We'll need to get Kamara and Byrd going across the formation quickly and violently. And on the outside, J. Croom and J. Jennings need to be turned loose to tee off on Tabor and Wilson on WR screen blocking assignments. This needs to be an aggressive fight from the start. J. Jennings and J. Croom can set the tone for the team if they hit a solid block on Tabor and Wilson, which can then lead to them overplaying the screen pass and getting beat overtop. As far as being nasty to the assholes, I doubt Jennings or Croom need motivation. #WGWTFA
4) Get Hurd running downhill and hit the seams
--> Jalen had a good game against Florida last year, but where he struggled (except for one glorious run) was when Florida spilled the ball to the outside and strung out his runs. He's too tall to consistently win one-on-one matchups on the outside as his tall frame provides a large strike zone. Instead, he is best in inside counter and trap plays. To be successful with this, however, we'll need to throw quick hitters to Wolf and Croom when the LBs come forward. This is why I think you saw a good amount of two tight-end sets. It allows one to pull and the other to line up where we can throw the hitch or a quick seam.
5) Get Dobbs running early and often; Protect the football
--> Dobbs gets his swagger when he can get his legs going. It's like a boxer landing his favorite punch, and when he does, he's able to open up his entire arsenal. Early QB power runs, early pulls on the read option, and early quick strikes on slants and hitches can get him in rhythm. On the flip side, Dobbs has to hold onto the ball. He's going to take some shots, so at the point of contact, he needs two hands, no matter if it slows him up. I believe he's going to have a big game, and I predict 125 yards on ground for him and 150+ through the air, with some jump ball TDs for Malone and Jennings.
Conclusion: We are better offensively than we've played, and I do believe we've subtly worked on a few key components each game that demonstrate our offensive improvement despite the overall dissatisfaction that many of us rightly have. But Florida struggles against Dobbs in the worst way. Their aggression doesn't suit them except at the point of contact, and with the right combination of power and misdirection, we can turn that against them.
Call me crazy, but I truly believe we deceptively have many advantages in this matchup. If we avoid straight drop backs, limit long action on our play action plays, roll Dobbs out for quick hitters in the flat against their linebackers and get the ball out of his hands quickly, we can throw the ball against these assholes.
I believe we put up 31 points offensively. Depends on Dobbs; I think he makes himself a legend.
GBO
