Advertisement
Published Nov 13, 2020
Roundtable: Replacing Pitts; avoiding another INT; keeping Franks in check
GatorsTerritory
Staff

GT OFFER: Receive 25% off an annual subscription AND a $75 digital gift code to Nike!

Brought to you by Mayor Clothing, GatorsTerritory dishes out another roundtable discussion from our team of writers!

You are the inspiration for Mayor’s new Saturdays in The Swamp performance polo, which features digitally printed University of Florida artwork all over the shirt!

Constructed with remarkable craftsmanship by the choice U.S. mill for performance polos, Saturdays in The Swamp is comfortable, long-lasting and fits you perfectly. They are available in several sizes and can be purchased in white, blue and orange!

PURCHASE: https://mayorclothing.com/products/saturdays-in-the-swamp


Advertisement

If Pitts doesn't play, who will get more targets in the passing game?

Bender: You can't replace the production of the nation's best tight end with just one player, but luckily for UF, there are 11 additional players who have recorded multiple receptions on the year. Kemore Gamble, who is fresh off his first career touchdown, will likely split repetitions with Keon Zipperer at tight end, while receiver Justin Shorter is expected to receive an increased role as well. Also, keep an eye on the running backs. The trio of Pierce, Wright and Davis are proven pass catchers out of the backfield and were dynamic against UGA, but I expect Toney and Grimes to receive the most targets on Saturday.

Abolverdi: We already saw Pitts’ concussion open the door for Kemore Gamble, who caught his first career touchdown against UGA and finished with three receptions for 51 yards. Tight end Keon Zipperer will also be utilized more with Pitts sidelined, but I think it will also lead to more targets for Justin Shorter and Trent Whittemore. They are big body receivers who can run some of the routes designed for Pitts and win a jump-ball battle.

Clarke: I don’t think you can fill Kyle Pitts’ role with just one person because he is such a special talent. Florida will need a couple players to step up if he isn’t able to play, and I think it will end up being a combination of both Justin Shorter and Kemore Gamble. Shorter has seen his role expand in the last two games, catching a touchdown in each, and Gamble made the most of his opportunities when Pitts went down against Georgia.

Reynolds: The obvious suspects, receivers Kadarius Toney and Trevon Grimes, will likely get more targets from Trask. I also think Pitts’ absence will open up a lot of opportunities for some players who haven’t made many catches this year. In addition to his replacements, backup tight ends Kemore Gamble and Keon Zipperer, expect to see running backs Malik Davis and Nay'Quan Wright get more involved in the passing game as well.

After another pick-six, does Trask avoid an interception against Arkansas?

Bender: The Razorbacks' defense has already racked up a dozen interceptions through six games, but I don't envision them adding to that total inside the Swamp. That isn't a knock on Arkansas either. Against the Bulldogs, Trask's interception was likely due to Xzavier Henderson running the wrong route, and with that performance being fresh in his mind, I think he will be extra cautious against an Arkansas defense that really has nothing to lose on Saturday. Trask is a Heisman Trophy candidate for multiple reasons, with his ball placement and decision making being a few of the reasons why.

Abolverdi: Trask has been incredible through the first half of this season, but there’s always room for improvement. He has thrown an interception in three of his last four games, including a pick-six against Missouri and Georgia. While it appears that all or some of them were the result of a wrong route, the turnover issue has Trask’s full attention. And with Arkansas leading the league in turnover margin, I think he’ll be extra careful distributing the ball Saturday and will avoid an interception against the Hogs.

Clarke: First off, I don’t think Kyle Trask’s interception against Georgia was his fault. It looks like freshman wide receiver Xzavier Henderson may have run the wrong route. Aside from that pick and maybe one other throw against the Bulldogs, Trask played a pretty clean game and has taken care of the football for most of the year. I think he continues that ball security and plays interception free in the game against Arkansas.

Reynolds: Based on Trask’s recent play and the fact that Arkansas' defense has 12 interceptions already this season, I don't think he can get away with no turnovers in this game. Trask probably won’t throw multiple picks that puts the game in jeopardy, but I still don't think he'll get away clean. I doubt he’ll have a pick-six for the third consecutive game, but even if he does, Florida will be able to put the game away with no trouble.

Will Florida's defense hold Feleipe Franks under 300 yards of offense?

Bender: Todd Grantham and the Gators are well accustomed to Franks' tendencies and strengths as a quarterback, and because of that familiarity, I think the former UF quarterback falls just short of the 300-yard mark. Auburn to the lone school in 2020 that allowed Franks to throw for over 300 yards, but the Tigers are also ranked 64th nationally in pass defense. Also, other than his 91 yards on the ground against Texas A&M, Franks hasn't rushed for more than 28 yards in a game this season. He certainly has the tools to notch 300 yards of total of offense; there is no doubting that, but I don't see it happening during Saturday's highly-anticipated return to Gainesville.

Abolverdi: Feleipe Franks eclipsed 300 yards of total offense in his last two games at The Swamp (Florida State and UT Martin), but I don’t think it will happen for him Saturday. He’s only hit that mark twice this season and needed a career-high in rushing to make it happen against Texas A&M. After a shaky start to 2020, Florida’s defense has settled in with strong performances the past two games. Franks will hit a couple big plays against the Gators, but not enough to top 300 yards.

Clarke: I believe so. I posted some statistics on Twitter this week about how Florida defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has fared against a former quarterback he saw every day in practice and also against a Kendal Briles led offense. In both games against Mississippi State in 2018 and Florida State last season, the Gators defense was able to hold the opponent to under 300 yards of total offense. Grantham and his players scrimmaged against Franks for two years, so that experience should help their preparation and execution for this game.

Reynolds: Franks has been held under 300 yards passing against every opponent besides Auburn, which gave up 318 yards. He also eclipsed the 300-yard mark for total offense at Texas A&M with 91 yards rushing (239 passing). Florida’s defense hasn't been its best this year, but the unit has played better as a lot and is capable of keeping Franks below that mark — especially given the history. He's been held under 300 total yards against Georgia, Mississippi State, Ole Miss and Tennessee.