COLLEGE FOOTBALL

4 Ways Florida Can Beat Michigan

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Incase you have been under a rock, the Florida Gators are going through some disciplinary problems. Head Coach Jim McElwain has suspended 10 players for the season opener versus Michigan which includes returning starters WR Antonio Calloway and RB Jordan Scarlett.

The Gators were one of the nations best defenses last seasons ranked 5th in the nation in total defense allowing just 4.66 yards per play and 292.8 yards per game. That defense is no more as just 5 starters are returning leaving plenty of space for 2016 contributors to jump into starting roles.

The offense is another story ranked 116th of 128 in total offense averaging 5.19 yards per game and 344.0 yards per game. Even with the deck stacked against them, the Gators can do a few things which will give them a better chance at victory this Saturday against the Associated Press 11th ranked team (Michigan) in the nation.

1. OPEN IT UP – Finally Coach Mac announced Felipe Franks will be the starter on opening day versus Michigan.


Franks is a red shirt freshman with a big arm standing at 6 foot 6 and a shade under 220 pounds. Let the youngster sling it. Not many expect the offense to do much against Michigan anyways with Calloway and Scarlett out…Put the ball in the air and see what kind of arm talent Franks has in an actual game. The Gators won’t have enough snaps to keep it conservative and defense might not be able to change the field position as well as they have in the past. This is also a great game for recruiting. Marketing an improving more exciting offense which has been sputtering since 2015 when the Gators averaged over 30 points per game. Open the game plan up and build some confidence. Create some positive plays to build on by being aggressive early with the young QB.

2. BRING PRESSURE – The Gators have been outstanding on defense for a long time. Expectation are just the same this year. There are moving parts in the secondary and replacements in the center of the defense. But, the plan is the same. In order for the Gators to create confusion and rattle Michigan anticipated returning starting QB Wilton Speights the Gators have to be aggressive contstanly and create disruption. Speights completed 60% of his passes last year but took a number of sacks versus the better defensive teams on the 2016-2017 schedule. Against Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio State and Florida State…Michigan gave up 14 sacks. Gators should be able to get to the quarterback.

3. GAMBLE – Take calculated risks on all three sides of the ball. An onside kick, fake punt, double pass on offense, full out black jack blitz on defense…If the defense is playing well, don’t be afraid to go for it on fourth down on the positive side of the field. Grab some momentum on offense, try an onside kick. Create the excitement and make it seem like there is an effort to win the the game to outsiders, especially the fan base.

4. REACT TO SUDDEN CHANGE – Something bad is going to happen. Just part of football. No preseason game to clean up mistakes…something bad is going to happen and how the team reacts is going to be imperative. “Sudden Change” usually refers to the defense. If the offense turns the ball over in Gator territory, can the Gator defense keep points off the board? If the punt team botches one, can the defense force a three and out? Sudden change is about attitude.