Inside the Gators staffers Andrew Olson and Mark Wheeler take a closer look at this weekend's match-up between Florida and Michigan, including predicting a winner.
1) Which players are more deserving of a bigger role?
Olson: Freshman running back Malik Davis deserves a chance to show what he can do with more touches. His one carry for eight yards against Michigan was a longer run than any from the other running backs, sophomore Lamical Perine and senior Mark Thompson. Based on what he did in fall camp, Davis should carry the ball more.
Redshirt junior wide receiver Dre Massey only had one touch, a two-yard reception, against Michigan. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier would be wise to get Florida’s slot receivers, including Massey, more involved.
Wheeler: When you get blown out of the water in the fashion Florida did in the opener, there is plenty of room to second guess what went wrong as far as which players didn't play a big enough of a role.
What I found most interesting - or discerning, depending on how you want to look at it - is that immediately after the game, during his post-game press conference, Jim McElwain said that they should have gotten Dre Massey and Kadaruis Toney more touches.
It didn't take him watching the game tape to see that, he immediately knew it. Which begs the question, then why didn't he make sure to let Doug Nussmeier know during the actual game that those two needed to be more involved?
As for this weekend, I would start with those two on offense and add in Malik Davis, who turned in an eight-yard run on his lone carry.
On defense, after the way he was built up during the off-season, why didn't Antonneous Clayton see any action against Michigan? Yes Jordan Sherit and Jachai Polite had solid games, but Clayton brings an added dimension off the edge in passing situations. Will we see that this weekend?
2) How much will missing the Northern Colorado game factor into Saturday's result?
Olson: The experience from a second game would have benefited many players, especially redshirt freshman quarterback Feleipe Franks. Any veteran players banged-up from the Michigan game probably did not mind a chance to heal and get fully healthy. I still expect to see some rust and mental mistakes from not having played a game in two weeks.
Communication in the secondary and Franks’ comfort level are likely to be affected most by missing last Saturday’s game. However, I think the post-Saturday distraction of Irma and the change to the weekly routine will have a bigger negative impact than the missed game.
Wheeler: There were a couple of bumps and bruises, but compared to the physical beat down they endured, Florida came out of the season opener relatively unscathed from a 'health' standpoint.
Yes, Chauncey Gardner, DeAndre Goolsby and Nick Washington were banged up, but they wouldn't have been needed against Nothern Colorado regardless.
So, instead of gaining a bit of confidence - as well as regaining some dignity - in what should have been a blowout victory, the team was instead left to stew over the loss to Michigan for another week.
It wasn't just the loss though.
They were also left to dwell on suspensions, investigations, Hurricane Irma, and the impact the storm had on hometowns, families and friends.
Basically a game would have, acted as a reprieve, if only for a few hours, from all of the distractions.
What has to be most worrisome though is Jim McElwain's demeanor during his Wednesday press conference. Forget words such as somber or subdued that have been used to describe him - he came off as downright shell-shocked.
By Thursday's call-in show he seemed much more upbeat.
But was the damage already done?
If the team was following his example, that could spell trouble this weekend.
3) Is this the most important game of Jim McElwain's tenure?
Olson: McElwain needs this win more than any other. After the Michigan loss, fans and media members have become more vocal in expressing doubt that McElwain is the long-term solution at Florida. Things will get ugly if Florida falls to 0-2. If that happens, he will have completely lost the fanbase. That does not necessarily mean he will have lost the support of the administration, but once a coach loses the fans, it’s hard to ever win them back.
Despite a mediocre overall record (19-9), McElwain has been able to point to his 11-1 record at home and 11-1 record against the SEC East. Losing to an SEC East opponent at home would be a bad sign for the third-year head coach.
Wheeler: If Urban Meyer or Nick Saban started out 0-2, that would cause for concern among their respective fan bases. If it were to happen to McElwain, with the Florida fan base already on the edge after what happened against Michigan, it might be hard to pull out of that sort of downward death spiral.
The fact that, that doesn't come across as an overstatement shows you just how precarious a situation McElwain is currently in.
With the schedule they have still ahead of them, if the Gators were to start out 0-2, that would likely signify a five or six - at least - type of season.
So, yes, this is the most important game of his tenure.
4) What is your prediction on the outcome of the game?
Olson: In a normal week, I would go with Florida at home. Tennessee comes in with momentum from a 2-0 start and practiced this week without distractions. After the way Michigan ran with ease on the Gators, I expect the Volunteers to lean on running back John Kelly. I also think the combination of rust and youth will cause UF to give some big plays in the passing game.
My score: Florida will look better on offense, but it won’t be enough. 27-24 UT.
Wheeler: I went out on a very long limb two weeks ago by picking Florida to upset Michigan. I had no idea at that point that for the eighth straight season the Gators once high powered offense would be stuck in neutral.
This week I am torn.
Yes, Florida was embarrassed by Michigan and enters the game 0-1.
On the other hand, though they are 2-0, Tennessee hasn't looked like world beaters.
My score: I am basing this on the premise that Florida is slightly above average and Tennessee is right at average. Meaning the home-field advantage should be the difference. Florida 16-13.
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