Florida Football Roundtable
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* Behind Enemy Lines: Michigan Q&A
* Notebook: McElwain on naming Franks as the starter
* Breaking: Franks named starting quarterback
*Alley: Make no mistake about it, CJM didn't want to do this
* Impact Analysis: Scarlett, Wells suspended
* Scarlett, Wells suspended indefinitely
* Alley: Discuss the big suspensions with Florida fans
* GET TWO MONTHS OF FREE ACCESS
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Ryan Young of SEC Country joins Inside the Gators' Andrew Olson to discuss some of the hottest topics regarding the Florida Gators as the season opener approaches.
1) In your opinion, which area of the team are you most and least confident about as we head into the season?
Olson: I’m most confident in the running backs and least confident in the offensive line. With junior Jordan Scarlett as the feature back, I think sophomore Lamical Perine and freshman Malik Davis help round out the ground game as complementary backs. Scarlett has thoroughly impressed me in camp, and I don’t think the Gators lose much if Perine or Davis come in to give him a breather. Beyond those three you have a veteran in senior Mark Thompson and a home-run threat in freshman Adarius Lemons.
Maybe I’m being too hard on the offensive line. McElwain calls this group the strength of the team, but I’ll believe it when I see it. I just can’t get past how this group was manhandled by Florida State and Alabama with a starting group a lot like the one we’re expected to see Saturday. If they can get a good push against Michigan, I’ll be impressed.
Young: I don't think there's a stronger position group on the roster than at running back. I expect Jordan Scarlett to top 1,000 rushing yards this season and for Lamical Perine to maximize his touches as the second-team back. That said, if Scarlett were to be sidelined for any stretch of time, I'd be intrigued to see what Perine could do with a bigger opportunity. Add to that the buzz we heard this preseason about freshman Malik Davis, not to mention Mark Thompson (who did have the best play of his career in that Outback Bowl win) and freshman Adarius Lemons. The Gators are in great shape here.
Conversely, I still have concerns about the linebackers. I think David Reese is going to be a steady playmaker in the middle. No worries there. And I like Vosean Joseph's upside potential, but we have only seen it in flashes. Yes, the LSU hit was awesome, but he didn't play a ton last year while totaling 13 tackles. Even that is not my biggest concern, though. It's the depth. With the Gators teasing more three-linebacker sets with Jeremiah Moon (an untested redshirt freshman) and Kylan Johnson (already banged up this preseason) slotted in that third linebacker role, there isn't a lot of comfort behind them on the depth chart. Sure, if injuries strike, they could again rely on a nickel defense and work Moon or Johnson in behind the starters. But there's just a lot of questions with this group entering the season and a lot to prove.
2) What is the biggest obstacle to Florida once again representing the East in the SEC Championship game?
Olson: The young defense is definitely the biggest obstacle. The last two years we have seen that even a subpar Florida offense can put up just enough points to win the division.
I think the defense will be better than most people are expecting, but time will tell if that’s good enough to win the division. So many of this year’s starters on defense are familiar faces. Junior Cece Jefferson, redshirt sophomore Jabari Zuniga, sophomore David Reese, sophomore Vosean Joseph and sophomore Chauncey Gardner all impressed as contributors or fill-in starters, but the big question is can they consistently produce as starters from September to December.
We know at least one true freshman, cornerback Macro Wilson, will see significant playing time. There are another four or five rookie defenders likely to get occasional reps off the bench and they could be starters if injuries or suspensions happen. We hear great things about the freshmen in practice, but we’re about to find out if they’re actually game ready.
Young: Those of us who are bullish on Florida's prospects this season, myself included, are making a lot of assumptions about a defense that sent eight players to the NFL. Yes, the aforementioned linebackers could be really good, but they have to prove it. Freshman Marco Wilson could be an instant star at cornerback, but he has to prove it. Even veteran corner Duke Dawson is being tested more than ever before in his career. And the depth throughout most of the secondary consists of true freshmen who arrived on campus this summer. All could be terrific, but again, they are untested.
Even up front where the Gators have a lot of familiar names, there is a foundation of best-case-scenario optimism. Taven Bryan could be a beast at defensive tackle, filling the massive void left by Caleb Brantley, but he's got to prove it still. While I expect Florida's offense to be better than last year (or recent years for that matter), I don't think they're going to suddenly be putting up Spurrier-era point totals. The defense has to remain very good, and it certainly can. But if we're overestimating how well all those new pieces comes together, that could make the path back to Atlanta a lot more difficult.
3) Who are the 2-3 most important players on the team?
Olson: I’m going to say Martez Ivey, Duke Dawson and David Reese in that order.
This offensive line is in a world of trouble any time Ivey isn’t able to play. Without Ivey, the best options at left tackle involve shuffling players like right tackle Jawaan Taylor, right guard Fred Johnson and utility backup Tyler Jordan.
Dawson is highly important as the only experienced cover corner. Gardner has the talent to play corner, but this defense loses a lot when he can’t lineup at safety and play centerfield on the backend.
With linebacker depth as thin it is, losing Reese would be a huge blow. Redshirt senior Cristian Garcia stepped in admirably for the Outback Bowl, but the Gators don’t want to be starting him week in, week out in SEC play.
Young: Obviously, the quarterback play has to improve -- no matter who ends up taking the snaps. And I think it will. I'd be leery throwing Feleipe Franks out there for his first college game against Michigan on that stage, but beyond that I think his upside and growth is real. I like Malik Zaire. Maybe he needed some more time to assimilate into the offense, but the reality is this guy made three starts at Notre Dame and two were terrific performances against LSU and Texas. He's going to be a factor. And while fans feel differently, I think Luke Del Rio is an asset. It was clear he wasn't healthy last year. Now that he is, I wouldn't doubt that he could get the offense moving. So I think the QB position will be more productive, but it needs to be. Florida has the playmakers to be a fun offense if the QB can do his part.
And then on defense for me it's Duke Dawson and David Reese. Florida's entire plan for its retooled secondary hinges on Dawson being a steadying presence at cornerback. If he were to get hurt, then the Gators are either turning to another freshman, an untested senior in Joseph Putu or more likely moving Chauncey Gardner from safety to corner and disrupting another position group. And with Reese, I think he is so key to the defense this year. He was mentored by Jarrad Davis and now has to fill that void full-time of being not only a playmaker, but also a central communicator and galvanizing presence in the middle of the defense. And he simply has to stay healthy.
Quick Hitters
Who is your surprise player on offense and defense?
Olson: Freshman Kadarius Toney is listed as the No. 3 at slot receiver, but I see him getting more snaps and making more highlight plays than a typical third-stringer. The recent Bleacher Report profile may have spoiled the surprise, but I expect redshirt junior defensive tackle Taven Bryan to turn heads around the SEC this season.
Young: With everybody back on offense, there aren't many surprises to be had. I do think Dre Massey realizes his potential and becomes a vital piece to the passing game. And on defense, I'm going with freshman safety Shawn Davis. Currently slotted as a second-teamer, he is going to be a major factor at some point this season.
Which player is unlikely to live up to the expectations of the fans?
Olson: This is an admittedly easy target, but I think fans are expecting too much of Feleipe Franks. He might be the best quarterback on the team, but if he were leaps and bounds ahead of the others, he probably would have been named the starter during camp. I see him being an improvement at quarterback, but not one of the SEC’s best.
Young: Ooh, tough one. The fans are so all-in on freshman quarterback-turned-receiver Kadarius Toney, and I agree he's going to be a nice player in time out of the slot and in creative packages. But I don't know that he has as prominent a role as many expect right away this season.
And finally, in your opinion, what will Florida's final regular season record be and why?
Olson: I’m going with 10-2. I think Florida starts the year 1-0 and plays a challenging but favorable schedule moving forward. McElwain’s squads are 11-1 at home and 11-1 against the SEC East during his tenure. Thanks to Hurricane Matthew last year, the Gators get both SEC West opponents at home (Texas A&M and LSU) along with Tennessee and Florida State.
Young: I see 9-3 with the potential for more. They have four very tough games (Michigan, LSU, Georgia, Florida State) along with a couple others that could be more challenging than presently expected. I like this team, but there's still enough questions that I expect some setbacks along the way.
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