The Florida defense

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Do you guys think they're as good as the stats indicate? I think they're a very talented defense from front to back but I think the stats are a bit misleading because of who they have played. Not to take a thing away from them, they have looked very impressive. I just feel they have played 3 horrible teams.

What say you? Again, I know we have some Gators on here and I welcome you all's opinion on this as well.

 

[Berry29]

They are good. no question. As good as the numbers?, i highly doubt that good

 

[jakez4ut]

the level of competition from the 1st three weeks, to Saturday is a step up, no doubt.

but that goes both ways. if app st can get pressure rushing three, makes you wonder what will happen against FL.

that said, yes, i think FL's defense is as advertised. they get no points for who they've played, but they've handled them like a great defense should. 14 points over 3 games. 53 yards in a 4 qtr game. they don't even allow garbage stats.

will they repeat that level of performance this week? doubtful. but they're good enough to be difference in winning the game for them. and in the end that's all the matters.

this is a big boy defense that will take a big boy effort from our offense to win.

 

[05_never_again]

They have feasted on inferior offenses but I believe their defense is really good. All 3 levels are good. Several NFL-caliber players. Maye and Tabor will be difficult to throw against. CeCe Jefferson and Cox are good DLs and can both rush the passer. Jarrad Davis is a good all-around LB. They will be difficult to move the ball against.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

the level of competition from the 1st three weeks, to Saturday is a step up, no doubt.

but that goes both ways. if app st can get pressure rushing three, makes you wonder what will happen against FL.

that said, yes, i think FL's defense is as advertised. they get no points for who they've played, but they've handled them like a great defense should. 14 points over 3 games. 53 yards in a 4 qtr game. they don't even allow garbage stats.

will they repeat that level of performance this week? doubtful. but they're good enough to be difference in winning the game for them. and in the end that's all the matters.

this is a big boy defense that will take a big boy effort from our offense to win.

Agreed on all of it. The only thing I might argue against is garbage stats and I'm not sure UMass or North Texas is capable of even doing that.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

They have feasted on inferior offenses but I believe their defense is really good. All 3 levels are good. Several NFL-caliber players. Maye and Tabor will be difficult to throw against. CeCe Jefferson and Cox are good DLs and can both rush the passer. Jarrad Davis is a good all-around LB. They will be difficult to move the ball against.

They're as solid as you would want to be on all 3 levels. I'm hoping Chance Hall is able to come back this week, we will need him against the DL.

 

[RowdyRetile]

Florida has a historically good defense right now, and before anyone says "it's the competition," they've opened with weak competition just about every year, but I've never seen what I've seen so far. In fact, they've had years with lesser competition certainly than Kentucky.

The stats that pop out, regardless of competition; holding a team to 53 total yards, only two TD's given up, and 16 sacks on the year.

The relentless, ferocious pass rush has been incredible. 16 sacks but more pressures and hurries than I can count. Two new players who have made a huge impact are Jabari Zuniga, the Freshman DE who has 4 sacks and Alex Anzalone, the LB has dominated the games at times. They have multiple great players on every level of the defense; Zuniga, Brantley, Cox Jr, Ivie on the d-line, Anzalone and Jarrad Davis at LB, and Tabor/Wilson/Maye in the secondary

We'll see if they can handle Dobbs/Hurd/Kamara/Malone this weekend. I imagine they're tired of hearing the notion that their great start on defense is due to poor competition.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Im kind of thinking this game could be like 2014, only hopefully with a different ending. First one to 17-24 points may win, it's going to be an ugly game.

 

[jakez4ut]

Agreed on all of it. The only thing I might argue against is garbage stats and I'm not sure UMass or North Texas is capable of even doing that.

lol...they probably aren't, good point. and against Umass there wasn't really an opportunity for garbage stats, that game was still close in the 4th qtr.

obviously the defensive match up in front of us is the key to the game. the good news is their offense hasn't lit anything up, except a terrible KY team.

there's just a lot of unknowns heading in to this game for both teams. there's a path to a victory for us. but it can't be by performing the same way we have. if that happens, FL wins.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Florida has a historically good defense right now, and before anyone says "it's the competition," they've opened with weak competition just about every year, but I've never seen what I've seen so far. In fact, they've had years with lesser competition certainly than Kentucky.

The stats that pop out, regardless of competition; holding a team to 53 total yards, only two TD's given up, and 16 sacks on the year.

The relentless, ferocious pass rush has been incredible. 16 sacks but more pressures and hurries than I can count. Two new players who have made a huge impact are Jabari Zuniga, the Freshman DE who has 4 sacks and Alex Anzalone, the LB has dominated the games at times. They have multiple great players on every level of the defense; Zuniga, Brantley, Cox Jr, Ivie on the d-line, Anzalone and Jarrad Davis at LB, and Tabor/Wilson/Maye in the secondary

We'll see if they can handle Dobbs/Hurd/Kamara/Malone this weekend. I imagine they're tired of hearing the notion that their great start on defense is due to poor competition.

I won't even try to discredit the North Texas performance. That was impressive and even I enjoyed watching that. I love defensive football.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

lol...they probably aren't, good point. and against Umass there wasn't really an opportunity for garbage stats, that game was still close in the 4th qtr.

obviously the defensive match up in front of us is the key to the game. the good news is their offense hasn't lit anything up, except a terrible KY team.

there's just a lot of unknowns heading in to this game for both teams. there's a path to a victory for us. but it can't be by performing the same way we have. if that happens, FL wins.

I can't remember the last time there was this many interesting story lines surrounding this game. They went through Kentucky on offense like poo through a screen door, but everybody else has too.

I'm not sure what camp you're in as far as our offense goes, but I truly believe we are much better than what we have shown. This week will tell the tale.

 

[jakez4ut]

I can't remember the last time there was this many interesting story lines surrounding this game. They went through Kentucky on offense like poo through a screen door, but everybody else has too.

I'm not sure what camp you're in as far as our offense goes, but I truly believe we are much better than what we have shown. This week will tell the tale.

that's the problem.....what we've shown. and the o line getting demolished against the teams we've played, save VT's defense, doesn't instill a ton of confidence.

FL's D is for real. Our offense hasn't shown that.

 

[jakez4ut]

Florida has a historically good defense right now, and before anyone says "it's the competition," they've opened with weak competition just about every year, but I've never seen what I've seen so far. In fact, they've had years with lesser competition certainly than Kentucky.

The stats that pop out, regardless of competition; holding a team to 53 total yards, only two TD's given up, and 16 sacks on the year.

The relentless, ferocious pass rush has been incredible. 16 sacks but more pressures and hurries than I can count. Two new players who have made a huge impact are Jabari Zuniga, the Freshman DE who has 4 sacks and Alex Anzalone, the LB has dominated the games at times. They have multiple great players on every level of the defense; Zuniga, Brantley, Cox Jr, Ivie on the d-line, Anzalone and Jarrad Davis at LB, and Tabor/Wilson/Maye in the secondary

We'll see if they can handle Dobbs/Hurd/Kamara/Malone this weekend. I imagine they're tired of hearing the notion that their great start on defense is due to poor competition.

i don't know where they're hearing that from? the guys on ESPN, Luganbill on down, have said that they can't see how we can match up against them.

 

[RowdyRetile]

I won't even try to discredit the North Texas performance. That was impressive and even I enjoyed watching that. I love defensive football.

I made a comment to my son watching that game that I've never said watching any football game. "The Florida defense looks like it's on offense."

Literally, on 90% of the plays, it seemed like Florida was pursuing players behind the line of scrimmage the whole game, with opposing players chasing behind them, they had a safety, 6 or 7 sacks, a dozen or so hurries, an interception, a fumble recovery, etc. It was dominating to the point of being odd.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

that's the problem.....what we've shown. and the o line getting demolished against the teams we've played, save VT's defense, doesn't instill a ton of confidence.

FL's D is for real. Our offense hasn't shown that.

I get where you're coming from, that's really all we have to go on so far this year. I just think back to last year and the way the offense looked and I just don't think we have shown much at all. I may change my tune this week after Saturday. I also realize every team is different.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

i don't know where they're hearing that from? the guys on ESPN, Luganbill on down, have said that they can't see how we can match up against them.

Everybody is sold on them. I can see why if you're numbers guy. If we get dominated Saturday on offense I'll agree with it. As you said earlier, it's a big step up for both teams.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

I made a comment to my son watching that game that I've never said watching any football game. "The Florida defense looks like it's on offense."

Literally, on 90% of the plays, it seemed like Florida was running players toward its own goal line, with opposing players chasing behind them, they had a safety, 6 or 7 sacks, a dozen or so hurries, an interception, a fumble recovery, etc. It was dominating to the point of being odd.

No doubt it was impressive. I watched most of that game Saturday and most of the Kentucky game. Kentucky is decent on offense(I use that loosely because the only good defense they've played as been y'all) and they looked like scrubs. I will say it seemed at first they were able to run.

 

[RowdyRetile]

I will add this, I do think Butch and the coaching staff can find some vulnerabilities. Florida over-pursues at times. Especially Anzalone and Davis. They rush so hard from the LB spot that one juke makes them fly right past the ball carrier, Dobbs can really make them pay for this, as he did last year.

Their relentless pursuit makes them susceptible to trick plays (you saw that last year too), maybe a reverse or two this year, something with mis-direction.

Florida is also vulnerable with 50-50 balls, something UT has had success with this year, especially to Malone. While Tabor and Wilson are as good as there is in the country, anyone can lose a 50-50 play in the secondary. Even North Texas drew pass interference plays against this tandem. In fact, Tabor was called twice (amazingly he had never been called for PI before the North Texas game), and Wilson was flagged for PI once.

 

[photovol]

There is one thing for sure, Florida defense looks much much better than the Vols defense, especially in the back end:blink:

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

I will add this, I do think Butch and the coaching staff can find some vulnerabilities. Florida over-pursues at times. Especially Anzalone and Davis. They rush so hard from the LB spot that one juke makes them fly right past the ball carrier, Dobbs can really make them pay for this, as he did last year.

Their relentless pursuit makes them susceptible to trick plays (you saw that last year too), maybe a reverse or two this year, something with mis-direction.

Florida is also vulnerable with 50-50 balls, something UT has had success with this year, especially to Malone. While Tabor and Wilson are as good as there is in the country, anyone can lose a 50-50 play in the secondary. Even North Texas drew pass interference plays against this tandem. In fact, Tabor was called twice (amazingly he had never been called for PI before the North Texas game), and Wilson was flagged for PI once.

I felt watching Kentucky they were able to run a bit they just didn't stick with it. It wouldn't be much different from what we have seen already but screen passes could be seen all day long. Whether our line gets out in front and blocks is a different story.

I told a Gator buddy of mine that it'll be interesting to see Tabor and the other guy(his name escapes me, Quincy?) on those 50-50 balls. Very athletic guys.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

I feel Croom at TE this week and Wolfe for that matter could have a good day Saturday. Dobbs throwing over the middle seems to be easiest for him to hit IMO. If he has time and The OL holds up that could be there a lot IMO.

 

[RowdyRetile]

I felt watching Kentucky they were able to run a bit they just didn't stick with it. It wouldn't be much different from what we have seen already but screen passes could be seen all day long. Whether our line gets out in front and blocks is a different story.

I told a Gator buddy of mine that it'll be interesting to see Tabor and the other guy(his name escapes me, Quincy?) on those 50-50 balls. Very athletic guys.

Yep, I think it would be stunning if UT didn't toss long 50-50 balls to Malone 2-3 times, to see what happens. I also think Kamara may be more effective against UF than Hurd. Kamara seems better at making people miss in the open field, he's more speedy and elusive. Not trying to be rude, but I honestly think UF's DE's could cover Hurd in the flats and run him down on screen passes. Hurd had some nice runs last year, no doubt, but Florida will be fine with Hurd occasionally popping one for 10-12 yards, while Kamara can actually gash them for explosive plays.

 

[vtvol98]

That North Texas game definitely skewed the stats for them.

 

[jakez4ut]

Yep, I think it would be stunning if UT didn't toss long 50-50 balls to Malone 2-3 times, to see what happens. I also think Kamara may be more effective against UF than Hurd. Kamara seems better at making people miss in the open field, he's more speedy and elusive. Not trying to be rude, but I honestly think UF's DE's could cover Hurd in the flats and run him down on screen passes. Hurd had some nice runs last year, no doubt, but Florida will be fine with Hurd occasionally popping one for 10-12 yards, while Kamara can actually gash them for explosive plays.

running Hurd off tackle, outside is not a recipe for success.

i'd expect to see him between the tackles more this game.

 

[Vol$_Deep_11_9]

Yep, I think it would be stunning if UT didn't toss long 50-50 balls to Malone 2-3 times, to see what happens. I also think Kamara may be more effective against UF than Hurd. Kamara seems better at making people miss in the open field, he's more speedy and elusive. Not trying to be rude, but I honestly think UF's DE's could cover Hurd in the flats and run him down on screen passes. Hurd had some nice runs last year, no doubt, but Florida will be fine with Hurd occasionally popping one for 10-12 yards, while Kamara can actually gash them for explosive plays.

I've said since last year, as many on here have said, Kamara needs more touches. I love watching Hurd run up the gut but he's not the guy that is going to bust one up the sideline for 50-60 yards. He's going to do what you said 10-15 maybe 20 yards and dish out punishment if the opportunity presents itself.