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Published Sep 3, 2017
The Day After Breakdown
Mark Wheeler  •  1standTenFlorida
Publisher

Here on The Day After Breakdown, Inside the Gators looks back on the Florida-Michigan game, handing out positional grades based on the performance of UF's players and coaches, a by the numbers, hot and not and the bottom line.

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GRADING THE GATORS
POSCOMMENTGRADE

QB

First and foremost I can understand why the staff felt the need to bring in Malik Zaire in place of Feleipe Franks. Not because he was playing poorly, just to perhaps give the offense a spark and allow Franks to observe from the sidelines for a series or two. What I don't understand is why they left Zaire in when it is clear he has no pocket presence or understanding of the Florida offense (assuming anyone, even the coaches, have an understanding of the Florida offense). At this point you have to go with Franks and stick with him. Yes there will be some rookie mistakes, but he has the talent to make plays the other two don't. Also, it begs the question, why didn't they get Franks a series or two here and there last season when Luke Del Rio and Austin Appleby were barely just above competent?

C

RB

Is it really fair to even attempt to grade them? First off, you have to factor in they were running behind a clearly over-matched offensive line. Then you have to also take into account that the three running backs only accounted for a combined 13 carries. It would be hard for a single back to find his groove with so few carries, much less a trio. Even still though, combining in pass blocking and their inability to break a tackle, this group, other than Malik Davis, deserves a failing grade.

D

TE

The tight ends weren't involved at all in the passing game until C'Yontia Lewis caught two late passes. They were non-factors as blockers though to for the most part.

D

WR

I was actually tempted to give them a higher grade. Both Josh Hammond and Tyrie Cleveland had very good days. Kadarius Toney wasn't targeted until late and had a big 20-yard gain. They performed as well as you would have expected minus the most productive player at their position. They shouldn't suffer a bad grade because the line wasn't able to give the quarterbacks enough time to get the ball off.

C

OL

This takes me back to the Will Muschamp days when Florida first started closing practices. Because no one in the media or fan base actually got to see it, we had to rely on the glowing reports from CWM on how good the offense looked. Remember when he said Jeff Driskel was completing 75% of his passes in practice. Optimism was sky-high, but then the season started and reality set in. That is pretty much what happened here. Because practices are closed off, we had to rely on CJM's word that the offensive line wasn't just improved, it was the best position group on the field for Florida. Optimism was sky-high, then the Michigan game happened and reality has set in. What has to be most concerning here is that it wasn't one or two plays or one or two players, the line as a unit was incapable of run or pass blocking all game long. They gave up six sacks (though Zaire holding the ball is responsible for a couple) and paved the way for a pathetic 11 yards rushing.

F

DL

What is most scary here is that Michigan's offensive line was supposed to be a trouble spot for them, while Florida was supposed to be at least halfway decent upfront on defense. What we saw was how big a drop off it is from Caleb Brantley and Joey Ivie to Khairi Clark and Tavan Bryan. At defensive end Jordan Sherit (2 sacks, 2 QBH) played one of his better games, Jachai Polite (6 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack) played his best game and CeCe Jefferson (2 1/2 TFL, 1 sack) was solid. Other than that, this group got pushed around for much of the afternoon.

C

LB

I am not big on total tackles as a stat, because they tend to be inflated. Having said that David Reese not only led the Gators in tackles, but many of them were impact type of plays (within 2-3 yards of the LOS). It is painfully obvious though that he is a liability in the passing game. Vosean Joseph made a play or two early. Kylan Johnson had a big stop coming back from injury.

C

SEC

Yes they gave up 218-yards through the air, but they also had two interception returns for touchdowns. Also, Florida played six true freshman defensive backs. At times there were three on the field at one time. Yes, they looked lost at times, but that is going to happen. They will get beaten, but they will also get better. The sky is the limit for this group and all things considered, they certainly deserve a passing grade.I thought it was interesting that Joseph Putu didn't play at all.

C

ST

Johnny Townsend, with all six of his punts traveling more than 50 yards and a 54.7 net average keeping this from being an F. Eddy Pineiro was 1-of-2, missing a 47-yard attempt. There was no meaningful return game to speak of other than Tyrie Cleveland fumbling the kickoff return.

D

Coaches

I am someone who believes that if a student-athlete can be criticized for their play, then highly paid coaches are certainly fair game. However, at this point, it would be no more than piling on to make a comment about what this group brought to Dallas on Saturday.

F

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* Sunday 3-2-1: Thoughts on Florida's loss

* Notebook: Offensive line disappoints

* One step forward, two steps back

* Uncensored Sound Off

* Video: McElwain, Hammond and Sherit

* Five Fast Thoughts: Ugly affair to open season

* Impact Analysis: Florida drops season opener

* GATOR GAME DAY

* Alley: Florida-Michigan Game Thread

* Post game press-conference updates

* GET TWO MONTHS OF FREE ACCESS TO INSIDE THE GATORS

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DEFINING MOMENTS    

In a game when you are defeated so soundly, it really doesn't come down to a play or two, or decision or two, or in this instance, not even a series or two.

The overall effort from players and staff stunk across the board.

Having said that, three things really stuck out to me.

1) The end to the opening drive. Florida opens with the four-yard run from Cleveland, which has the 15-yard penalty added to it. Franks follows up with the prettiest pass you will ever see to Josh Hammond for 44-yards giving Florida 1st & 10 at the Michigan 22.

Then things went downhill quickly as Florida's line began their decent into mediocrity, but it was fueled somewhat by an out-of-sync offense or offensive coordinator.

You had the Franks stumble/fumble, which set the Gators back four-yards. Then on the following play the offensive line is lined up on the ball, while the rest of the team is huddled behind them until there are 17 seconds left on the clock. By the time the offense was set, there was two seconds on the clock and the line wasn't able to call their blocking assignments, which resulted in Lamical Perine taking a loss on the play.

On the very next play Florida broke the huddle at 18 seconds, but there was still confusion in the backfield, which meant the Gators weren't going to get the ball snapped before a delay of game, so a time out was called with six seconds on the play clock.

Coming out of the time out, Martez Ivey was called for a false start.

So, the 1st & 10 at the 22 had turned into a 3rd & 20 at the 32.

A short run by Mark Thompson later and Florida was forced to settle for a 46-yard field goal and a 3-0 lead.

Leaving four points on the field by setting for a field goal in most cases isn't a back breaker. Unless as it turns out those three points are the only three points your offense will account for on the day and the opening drive is just a prelude to how badly out of sync your offense really is.

2) Freshman cornerback C.J Henderson has returned a second straight interception for a touchdown to put Florida up 17-10. The Gators defense has pitched a three-and-out forcing Michigan to punt. Walk-on Garrett Stephens partially blocks the punt giving Florida possession at the Michigan 37-yard line. In three plays Florida gains seven-yards, before sending Eddy Pineiro in to attempt, and miss, a 47-yard field goal.

This will come off a bit more harshly than intended, but Pineiro reminds me of a basketball player who though while he struggles shooting free-throws, he still spends his practice time perfecting highlight reel dunks.

Yes, those 80-yard field goals that he films get plenty of YouTube views and social media mentions. However, why not spend that time, energy and effort in perfecting your kicking from 45-55 yards - you know, the range that you will actually be allowed to attempt in a game.

Rather than Florida taking a 20-10 lead and keeping momentum on their side, instead Michigan kicked a 55-yard field goal on their next possession to cut the lead to 17-13 and all momentum was gone - for good.

3) One of the reasons momentum was gone for good was that Michigan came out and took the second half kickoff 75-yards in 10 plays for a touchdown.

An offense that was average at best to that point looked like world beaters as the Wolverine's coaching staff did the unthinkable - they made halftime adjustments. They came out and changed the pace, playing more up-tempo, throwing the Gators off their game.

This is football.

That is supposed to happen.

Coaches make halftime adjustments.

It is the nature of the game.

Unless of course you are the Florida offensive coaching staff.

What did you see differently from Florida from the first to second half?

If, by your own words, they are bigger and stronger and physically whooping you - then why go head to head with them? Why not try something different like spreading them out, going with quick hitters, quick slants, pitch the ball (the one time they did, it was an eight yard gain from Malik Davis) or get players in space rather than right up the gut.

HOT & NOT    

Hot: Pass

Not: Pass

BY THE NUMBERS      

1/10 - Though only one true freshman (Marco Wilson) actually started the game, 10 members of the Class of 2017 played for the Gators on opening day.

3-8 - This is McElwain's record at Florida against ranked opponents. Three wins, eight losses. What that tells you is that for all intent and purposes - if the other team has more or equal talent to Florida, the Gators are very likely to lose because according to the record, CJM isn't likely to out-coach whoever is on the other sideline.

11 - How a team, with a supposed vastly improved offensive line, manages just 11-yards rushing on 27 carries is beyond comprehension.

116 - There are still a couple of games to be played today and tomorrow, but of the 120 teams who have played a game here in the opening week of the season, Florida is currently ranked #116 (fifth from the very bottom) in total offense. At least they are consistent. The Gators finished last year ranked #116 in total offense. They finished McElwain's first season ranked #111.

THE BOTTOM LINE   

If you go back and read The Bottom Line's I have done in the past, even in a loss, we try to see the bright-side at least somewhat.

That's not happening here.

There's no punches to pull.

Not after getting dominated in such a fashion.

The Florida offense will either improve dramatically (and no, next week WILL NOT be a real barometer of improvement) or this will be a long, long season and McElwain's seat will get hotter and hotter.

You don't want to get too high or too low after just one game.

There's a lot of football left to be played.

So, to be perfectly clear, I am not at all calling for anyone to be fired at this time. However, when you look at the history of the program over the last 25-30 years the reality of it is, you CAN NOT average four losses a year with a terrible offense and remain the head coach at Florida for long.

Something has got to give.

That really is The Bottom Line.

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