Jacksonville State vs. Florida: Complete Game Preview

Jacoby Brissett will draw the start if Jeff Driskel can't go.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

The Florida Gators' magical season is coming to a close, and for this year's crop of seniors, Saturday will be a bittersweet day as the team hosts its final game at the Swamp. 

Entering the season at No. 23 in the AP Poll, UF was expected to be a year or two away from making a serious run at a national championship, but bolstered by a group of veteran leaders and a coach with an insatiable appetite for perfection, the No. 7 Gators will try and complete a perfect home record by taking down Jacksonville State. 

Led by a fierce defense, the Gators hope Saturday will be the second time this season they've destroyed the Gamecocks (the other one being against South Carolina). 

Let's take a complete look at Saturday's matchup between Florida and Jacksonville State.

Game-Day Information

Florida is attempting to complete a perfect home record.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Who: Jacksonville State at Florida 

When: Saturday, 1 p.m. ET

Where: Gainesville, Fla. 

Stadium: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) 

TV: PPV

Radio: Gator Radio Network, Sirius 104, XM 201

Depth Chart for Jacksonville State

Marques Ivory is the starting QB for the Gamecocks.
Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

OFFENSE 

SE - 1 - Trey Smith, SR (6'5" 220) 

        6 Kevyn Cooper SR (6'1", 197)

 

FL - 16 - Alan Bonner, SR (5'11", 168)

        4 Telvin Brown, FR (5'9", 167)

 

TE - 84 - Denzel Cheeks, SR (6'6", 215)

        80 - Luke Smith, FR (6'4", 240)

 

LT - 58 - Odie Rush, SR (6'3", 292)

        71 - Johnny Ubi, SO (6'6", 302)

 

LG - 69 - Tori Mobley, SR (6'3", 280)

        73 - Colt Kennedy, JR (6'6", 300)

 

C - 62 - Max Holcombe, SO (6'3", 271)

      64 - Preston Hatcher, SO (6'4", 290)

 

RG - 72 - Blake Burks, SO (6'2", 310)

         68 - Taylor Johnstone, JR (6'3", 295)

 

RT - 56 - Tarik Milner, SO (6'3", 280)

        76 - Tristian Hardin, SO (6'6", 291)

 

QB - 12 - Marques Ivory, SR (6'1", 235)

         11 - Coty Blanchard, JR (6'0", 185)

 

A-Bk - 5 - Washaun Ealey, SR (5'11", 215)

           20 - Troymaine Pope, FR (5'9", 198)

 

B-Bk - 32 - DaMarcus James, SO (5'10", 220)

          46 - Darius Stephens, FR (5'11", 240)

 

DEFENSE

DE - 34 - Mikel Whittier, JR (6'3", 212)

        27 - Sean Watson, SO (6'2", 290)

        or 37 - Jordan Jackson, FR (6'3", 240)

 

NOSE - 99 - Caleb Lawrence, SO (6'0", 270) 

             93 - Adam Wright, FR (6'2", 270)

             or 74 - Terrence Pendleton, SO (6'0", 329)

 

DT - 96 - DiMetrio Tyson, SR (6'2", 275)

        92 - Barry Stafford, JR (6'0", 295)

        or 57 - Chad Coleman, SO (6'1", 285)

 

OLB - 55 - Dustin Gayton, SO (6'1", 225)

           37 - Jordan Jackson, FR (6'3", 240)

 

MLB - 48 - Ben Endress, SO (6'1", 200)

           36 - Brenton Tolson, JR (6'0", 195)

 

WLB - 51 - Rashad Smith, JR (6'1", 210)

          26 - Jamaal Johnson, SO (6'0", 205)

 

OLB - 47 - James Powell, JR (6'1", 200)

          24 - Nick Johnson, SR (5'11", 185)

           14 - Brooks Robinson, SR (6'2", 201)

 

CB - 2 - Jermaine Hough, FR (5'9", 163)

        21 - Denzel Bynum, SO (5'11", 160)

 

SS - 15 - Pierre Warren, SO (6'1", 195)

        28 - Keginald Harris, SR (6'3", 200)

 

FS - 18 - Robert Gray, JR (5'11", 195)

        23 - Brandon Bender, FR (5'9", 165)

 

CB - 8 - Rashod Byers, SO (5'8", 170) 

        38 - Francis Duncan, SR (5'11", 167)

Depth Chart for Florida

Xavier Nixon will play his final game at the Swamp Saturday.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

OFFENSE

LT - 73 - Xavier Nixon, SR (6'6", 314) 

        70 - D.J. Humphries, FR (6'6", 275)

 

LG - 66 - James Wilson, RSR (6'4", 323)

        77 - Ian Silberman, RSO (6'5", 303) 

 

C - 72 - Jonotthan Harrison, RJR (6'4", 299)

      50 - Sam Robey, RSR (6'3, 305)

 

RG - 67 - Jon Halapio, RJR (6'3, 321)

        64 - Kyle Koehne, RJR (6'5", 311)

 

RT - 75 - Chaz Green, RSO (6'5", 310)

        64 - Kyle Koehne, RJR (6'5", 311)        

 

TE - 11 - Jordan Reed, RJR (6'3, 243)

        88 - Clay Burton, SO (6'4", 253)

 

RB - 23 - Mike Gillislee, SR (5'11", 209)

        33 - Mack Brown, RSO (5'11", 214)

 

QB - 6 - Jeff Driskel, SO (6'4", 237)

        12 - Jacoby Brissett SO (6'4", 229)

 

FB - 41 - Hunter Joyer, SO (5'10, 249)

        16 - Scott Peek, RSR (6'2", 231)

 

X - 85 - Frankie Hammond Jr., RSR (6'0", 187)

     13 - Latroy Pittman, FR (5'11", 209)

     4 - Andre Debose, RJR (5'11", 189)

 

Z - 1 - Quinton Dunbar, RSO (6'1", 189)

     86 - Raphael Andrades, FR (6'0", 191)

 

F - 8 - Trey Burton, JR (6'3", 228)

     20 - Omarius Hines, RSR (6'2", 217)

 

DEFENSE 

End - 2 - Dominique Easley, JR (6'2", 280)

          90 - Jonathan Bullard, FR (6'3", 271)

 

Nose - 99 - Omar Hunter, RSR (6'0", 313)

            44 - Leon Orr, RSO (6'5", 305) 

 

Tackle - 73 - Sharrif Floyd, JR (6'3", 303) 

              4 - Damien Jacobs, JR (6'3", 284) 

 

Buck - 34 - Lerentee McCray, RSR (6'3", 249)

            6 - Dante Fowler Jr, FR (6'3", 277) 

 

Sam - 11 - Neiron Ball, RSO (6'3", 231) 

          49 - Darrin Kitchens, JR (6'1", 229) 

 

Mike - 1 - Jonathan Bostic, SR (6'1", 246) 

           51 - Michael Taylor, SO (6'0", 226) 

 

Will - 3 - Jelani Jenkins, RJR (6'0", 237) 

         12 - Antonio Morrison, FR (6'1", 218) 

 

CB - 15 - Loucheiz Purifoy, SO (6'1", 189)

         8 - Jeremy Brown, RJR (5'10", 184) 

 

SS - 22 - Matt Elam, JR (5'10", 202) 

       26 - De'Ante Saunders, SO (5'9", 189) 

 

FS - 9 - Josh Evans, SR (6'2", 201)

       21 - Jabari Gorman, SO (5'10", 188)  

 

CB - 14 - Jaylen Watkins, JR (6'0", 187) 

         5 - Marcus Roberson, SO (6'0", 178) 

What Happened to Jacksonville State Last Week

The Gamecocks earned their sixth win last week.
Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

Down 16-14 at halftime against cellar dweller Austin Peay, the Gamecocks made a furious 24-point comeback, defeating the Governors, 38-23, to move to 6-4. 

Jacksonville State's defense surrendered 497 yards, including 375 through the air. 

However, the Gamecocks relied on their fantastic one-two punch of DaMarcus James and former Georgia Bulldog Washaun Ealey, as the two standouts combined for 229 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. 

Ealey also added a pair of receiving touchdowns, displaying the versatility that made him a standout before he left Georgia. 

The win against Austin Peay came just a week after a 49-47 defeat by Tennessee-Martin. 

What Happened to Florida Last Week

Florida's special teams saved the day.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

If not for a ridiculous play on special teams, the Gators could well be 8-2 and out of the Top 10. 

Loucheiz Purifoy's blocked punt with just seconds remaining in the fourth quarter fluttered in the air and into the waiting arms of linebacker Jelani Jenkins, who returned it 36 yards for the game-ending touchdown. 

The miraculous play made up for a lackluster effort by the Gators, who looked poised for an embarrassing loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on homecoming weekend. 

Once again, the Gators' offense struggled to get anything going and were dealt a tough blow when quarterback Jeff Driskel left the game with an ankle injury. 

Backup Jacoby Brissett ended up completing six passes, including the game-tying touchdown with 1:42 remaining. 

To say the Gators got lucky in escaping with a win would be an understatement, and the team needs a much better performance this week to avoid slipping in the rankings. 

What It Means to Both Teams

Mike Gillislee will be playing his last game in the Swamp.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

With Florida all but out of the national championship equation, this game holds more sentimental value than anything else. 

Saturday's showdown will be the final game at the Swamp for the seniors, and you can bet this year's group wants to go out with a bang. 

Veterans like Omar Hunter, Mike Gillislee and Josh Evans have stepped up their play in 2012 and have NFL aspirations, so expect them to try and deliver vintage performances in their final game in Gainesville. 

The matchup against Florida is the final game of the season for Jacksonville State, so expect their seniors to be emotional as they suit up for their final collegiate game. 

Key Player for Gamecocks

Washaun Ealey went from Georgia to JSU.
Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

The Gators should be very familiar with Jacksonville State tailback Washaun Ealey. 

Before starring for the Gamecocks, Ealey was a Bulldog, but the 5'11", 215-pound senior was granted his unconditional release by Georgia back in May 2011. 

After rushing for more than 1,500 yards and 14 touchdowns in the SEC, the powerful tailback made a seamless transition to the Ohio Valley Conference.

In his first season with the Gamecocks, Ealey rushed for 1,082 yards and has tallied 718 and 10 rushing touchdowns this season. 

The future NFL back forms a solid tandem with sophomore DeMarcus James, but look for Ealey to try and make a statement against an old opponent. 

Key Player for Florida

Mike Gillislee needs to finish strong.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

Mike Gillislee isn't going to meet his lofty preseason goals of 1,500 yards and 24 rushing touchdowns, but that doesn't mean he can't go out with a bang. 

After a torrid start, the 5'11", 209-pound senior has been bottled up the past five games, averaging less than 60 yards rushing per game and failing to score a rushing touchdown. 

The soft-spoken tailback has still been an important part of the Gators' offense, but his stock is slipping with a poor finish. 

Look for offensive coordinator Brent Pease to get the ball in Gillislee's hands early and often, setting up a big home finale for the senior. 

The Gamecocks Will Win If...

The Gamecocks' running game will be their key to victory.
Nelson Chenault-US PRESSWIRE

With Florida's offense struggling to score, the Gamecocks' best bet would be to wear down the Gators' defense with its strong running game and try to jump out to an early lead. 

Between DaMarcus James and Washaun Ealey, the Gamecocks certainly have the firepower to test Florida's defense, but it'll be a monumental task for those two to run against Sharrif Floyd, Jon Bostic and Co. 

Quarterback Marcus Ivory has thrown for 16 touchdowns and has a handful of solid receiving options, so the Gamecocks certainly aren't devoid of weapons. 

However, it's asking a whole lot for their offense to put up points on UF's top-10 defense. 

If the Gamecocks hope to pull off a monumental upset, it'll be because their offense stakes them out to an early lead, forcing Florida to try and string together multiple scoring drives. 

The Gators Will Win If...

Florida's defense is among the best in the nation.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

It's simple for Florida: Don't play down to your competition. 

Last weekend the Gators did exactly that and probably should have lost. 

This week there are no excuses. 

Whether it's Jeff Driskel or Jacoby Brissett behind center, Florida needs to execute better on offense, especially along the offensive line, and continue to play disciplined, aggressive defense. 

As long as the Gators contain the Gamecocks' running game, it'll be tough for JSU to point any points on the board. 

With the seniors looking to put their stamp on the program, the Gators have to come out firing on all cylinders and put this game out of hand early. 

Prediction

Florida will complete a perfect home record.
Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

This one shouldn't even be close. 

Will Muschamp should have his team ready to go Saturday, as the added motivation of finishing the season with a perfect home record will be in the back of both the players' and coaches' minds. 

Jacksonville State is no slouch, but the Ohio Valley Conference can't touch the big boys of the SEC. 

Prediction: Florida 28, Jacksonville State 6