McElwain previews UMass as Florida enters Saturday's matchup heavy favorite
Heading into its season-opener at home against UMass this Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET in The Swamp, Florida is an overwhelming favorite. In fact, VegasInsider.com has the Gators currently listed as a 36-point favorite against the Minutemen.
Even the honest Steve Spurrier was one to note last Thursday during his appearance on WCA Gator Talk, “they’re not a great team,” when discussing Massachusetts.
“They weren’t last year, but they’ll come ready to play,” he added.
Saying UMass hasn’t been a great team over the years would be an understatement. Since jumping to the FBS level following the conclusion of the 2011 season, the Minutemen have gone just 8-40 in four seasons, including two 3-9 seasons in 2014 and 2015 under current head coach Mark Whipple.
It’s Whipple’s second run with the program, as the 59-year-old coached UMass from 1998-2003 while the team was at the Division I-AA level before stints at the professional level with the Pittsburgh Steelers (quarterbacks coach in 2004-06), the Philadelphia Eagles (offensive assistant in 2008) and the Cleveland Browns (quarterbacks coach in 2011-12).
Whipple also served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for current Gators linebackers coach/co-defensive coordinator Randy Shannon in 2009-10 while both were at Miami.
Regardless of the fact that UMass is widely considered a cupcake opponent for the Gators, during his Monday press conference Jim McElwain praised some areas on UMass’ roster, including the work of Whipple as head coach.
“Coach Whipple, obviously, is a guy who’s won a national title there when they were I-AA,” McElwain said, referencing Whipple’s 1998 championship season with UMass. “He’s a guy that I’ve obviously studied over the years, his NFL background, things he’s done offensively. Got a ton of respect for, when he was at Miami with Randy. Ended up a good friend of mine there, my O-line coach at the time, came with us to Alabama. I think he just does an outstanding job.”
At quarterback, UMass opted to go with Ross Comis as its starter over JUCO transfer and former Virginia Tech signee Andrew Ford. The 6-foot, 200-pound Comis threw for 171 yards and two touchdowns on 71.4% passing as a true freshman backup in 2015.
However, sophomore running back Marquis Young is arguably the top player on the Minutemen offense. As a freshman last year, he rushed for 960 yards and seven touchdowns on 152 carries – including a performance against Buffalo at the end of the year where he totaled 240 yards and three touchdowns on 35 carries. Young rushed for 103 yards and a touchdown on five carries in a loss to Notre Dame last season.
McElwain is also keeping his eye on UMass tight ends Adam Breneman and Travis Reynolds, who should both share the field together in a handful of packages.
“Obviously the running back is a guy we’ve got to make sure doesn’t get loose,” McElwain said. “Had 100 yards against Notre Dame a year ago. I think he’s got some tight ends that he kind of likes. They’re more H-back types a year ago. Obviously the big transfer who was a freshman All-American at Penn State (Breneman), getting a uniform there. He does a lot of things formation ally, which we’ve got to be really sound in everything that we do.”
Last season, the Minutemen were 104th nationally in total defense, 92nd in scoring defense, 94th in rushing defense and 98th in passing defense. However, McElwain still sees Saturday’s matchup as a challenge for a Florida offensive line looking to take a leap forward after a shaky 2015 season.
“As you look at them on defense, I think it’ll be a great test for our offensive line with their line movement and the things they do up front, bringing five guys from all kind of different angles and different looks,” he said. “A lot of voided zone stuff. Luke (Del Rio) is really going to have to do a great job of keying safeties, to know what’s going on.”
Ultimately, McElwain wants to see what his team is able to accomplish in the home opener against UMass. The Florida offense is trending in the right direction but still features plenty of young faces, while the defense will aim to maintain elite status despite losing a handful of key contributors.
“They’ve had the whole offseason,” McElwain said. “We’ve obviously broken down two years of their film. The fake punts that they run in big games that show up. It’s really about the unknown. And that’s the great thing about opening games. They’ve had the whole offseason to make some changes.
“I think the key is playing fast, being sound in what you do and making sure that you’re able to adjust to whatever comes up. That’s the exciting thing. … I want our guys not to get uptight in any way, shape or form. But, you know, light their hair on fire and go out there and have a good time.”
A look at UMass' depth chart for week 1 against Florida:
