I have some offtime...so here are my thoughts on the position battle. Feel free to argue, debate, or agree. Hopefully some good discussion will come of this:
I'll start with Crompton and UT WR's vs. our secondary.
- Crompton will have to play a lights out game... really anybody will. the DB's start with a good Linebacker corp and we have arguably the best LB's in the country with Brandon Spikes anchoring. We have good cover corners. Yes, we gave up 200 yards in the first half against CSU, but keep in mind that we played only 2 defensive schemes without two of our playmakers (Janoris Jenkins and Lawrence Marsh (I think)). Any long balls will be answered by Major Wright who is a hard hitter. I dont know too much about your WR's, so can someone please make a small post here to tell me about them? Crompton will have to make good decisions. To do that, he needs time to throw. Play Action is a must for him to be successful. A few rollouts will keep our defense guessing. I'm going to give a medium edge to Florida.
UT OL and RB's vs our DL - I think our DL is not getting as much respect as they should be... but when you play 2 cupcakes, that will happen. You have some studs on OL, but I believe your depth is low. Your center needs to play lights out for Crompton's sake. He is taking pain shots and is a bit dinged up already. You have two monster RB's in Hardesty and Brown. If they can be successful (which I'm afraid they might be), then it will open up a lot for your offense. I'm going to call this even right now, maybe a slight edge to UT.
Tebow and WR's vs. UT secondary - #1 is a beast. Plain and simple. Berry needs to be accounted for for every play. (off topic, will he be used in a WildVol formation?) Your defense scares me. Playmakers at every position with an NFL hall of famer coaching them up. Tebow will need to recognize what's going on to make plays. If Kiffin Sr. blitzes a lot, then hopefully we can utilize Hernandez and the option. If you play in a Tampa 2, then hopefully Tebow will have time to make something happen. We'll see. Thompson had too many dropped passes against CSU. Keep a watch on Omarius Hines. He is a scrapper at WR. In the end, I am calling a slight edge to UT if not even.
UF OL & RB's vs. UT DL - How is your D-line depth? Last I heard, it was kind of thin. Can someone post something about your D-line as well? If so, this may be a cause of concern. We have 3 good RB's. Moody is the bruiser and Demps/Rainey are like lightning. I want to see Moody between the tackles and Demps/Rainey used as option backs. That would work best against your DL, imo. Don't worry, because that won't happen. Demps has breakaway speed, so if he can get into open space he is probably gone. Pending some insight, I am calling this a major advantage to UF.
Coaching - Obviously with Meyer winning 2 out of the last 3 National Titles, I give the coaching advantage to him. I don't think either of us have seen enough of your current coaching staff to make a good evaluation, right?
Intangibles - The Swamp. 'nuff said...sort of. With Kiffin Jr. getting you fans riled up, he ticked off Meyer and the team. On the flip side, revenge will be a factor for you guys. Plus with little to no pressure on you guys, you will be playing loose from the beginning (unless there's some big play to swing momentum). I am calling this even.
SO...thoughts?
