With No. 21 Florida (2-1, 2-0 SEC) set to host Vanderbilt (3-1, 0-1 SEC) in The Swamp on Saturday in a nationally broadcast showdown (Noon ET on ESPN), Inside the Gators presents five questions worth considering for the Gators’ return to The Swamp.
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* Coach Speak: Noah Brindise Q&A
* McElwain addresses suspended players
* Florida line is a work in progress
* McElwain Teleconference Blog
* Film Room: Breaking down the quarterbacks
* Notebook: Players on the sideline saw Swain open
* Notebook: McElwain updates Franks, Toney and Webb
* Former Player Feedback: 10 Rutledge Observations
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1. Will Florida show up mentally ready?
Saturday’s game features a pair of firsts for Florida in the 2017 season. Vanderbilt is UF’s first opponent coming off a loss and the game is the first noon kickoff of the year.
The Commodores are eager to move on from 59-0 loss to Alabama at home. As far as taking VU seriously, head coach Jim McElwain and Florida’s veteran leaders said the right things this week, but one has to wonder if the freshman will buy into their message.
Any time there’s a Noon kickoff, there’s concern about coming out flat and making mental mistakes. Again, the veteran Gators said the right things about the early kickoff, but we’ll see come Saturday. The game could be closer than expected if McElwain’s squad does not show up focused and fired up.
2. What will the offense look like with Luke Del Rio at quarterback?
Del Rio is getting the start against Vanderbilt after coming off the bench and leading a fourth-quarter comeback against Kentucky. Against the Wildcats, many observed that the offense operated more smoothly and at a faster tempo with the redshirt junior as the signal-caller.
Saturday will be Del Rio’s first start since Nov. 5, 2016. The Gators were 5-1 in Del Rio’s six starts last season, but the quarterback’s statline was mediocre at best (114-of-201, 1,358 yards, 8 TD, 8 INT). Del Rio battled knee and shoulder injuries last season, but is said to be fully healthy.
Redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks has not been ruled out from starting again, but right now, the Gators desperately need some stability at the quarterback position. Del Rio is credited with jump starting the Florida offense against Kentucky in the fourth quarter. Now the Gators need to play that way in all quarters.
3. Can Florida hold Vanderbilt under 100 rushing yards?
Through three games, the Gators have allowed an average of 172.67 rushing yards, but the yardage totals are trending downward. In the season opener, Michigan gained 215 rushing yards. Tennessee followed with 183 rushing yards and Kentucky gained 120 yards on the ground Saturday.
The next step would be holding Vanderbilt under 100 rushing yards, as three teams have done this season. Only against FCS Alabama A&M did the Commodores manage to break the 100-yard mark (174 rushing yards). In the young season, VU is 87.5 rushing yards per game.
4. What share of the carries will go to Malik Davis?
The freshman running back led Florida’s rushing efforts against Kentucky with 21 carries for 93 yards. The Gators leaned on Davis in the fourth quarter, giving him 13 carries which resulted in 60 yards.
When McElwain was asked about Davis this week, he said the Tampa Jesuit product had the hot hand against the Wildcats. McElwain would not commit to naming Davis the starter at running back. In Tuesday’s 11-on-11 fastball, sophomore Lamical Perine worked with the first-team offense while Davis was with the second team. Though many consider Davis the team’s best running back, it appears he still needs to show more before earning feature-back status.
5. How much longer will Chauncey Gardner Jr. start at safety?
As a freshman, Gardner excelled at nickel and free safety. He recorded three interceptions and three pass breakups, impressive for a freshman backup. Free safety seemed to be a natural fit, as Gardner had a knack for making plays on balls in the air.
Following the departures of Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, however, Gardner worked at cornerback in the spring. He moved back to safety after Marcell Harris tore his Achilles’ tendon. Full-time safety does not appear to be a good fit for Gardner in this defense. According to CFB Film Room, Gardner has missed an alarming 47.8 percent of his tackles.
As one of Florida’s most sought-after recruits in the 2016 class, it’s hard to imagine Gardner going back to the bench, but if he keeps missing tackles, he will lose his starting spot at safety. In the spring, he was considered a starting corner, but that was before Marco Wilson and C.J. Henderson arrived.
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