At the very best, Percy Harvin, the talented multi-dimensional running back for Florida will be watching most of this week's practices in street clothes. At the worst, he'll be watching the game from the Florida sidelines.
This week I expect Percy Harvin's ankle injury to remain a tighter secret than the Iranian uranium enrichment program. Urban Meyer would be foolish to leak that information and you can expect to hear phrases like, "day to day" to quiet reporters questions on the subject.
Why not make Alabama spend time preparing for him when he might not play?
But in the end, if Harvin does not play the ramifications could and will have national championship implications. Florida needs him to beat Alabama and have a chance at the National Championship Game.
When Florida is held to around 100 rushing yards by it's backs, they've had trouble as they did against Ole Miss when Harvin rushed for 82 yards and Moody only 16. Tebow is at his very best when he has a running game to fuel the passing game.
Alabama has shown that they can not not only cover the pass, but pick them as well, with many of them returned for touchdowns. They would relish the thought of only having to stop one dimension of the Gators fast paced offense.
Sure Gator fans will howl when they read this. They will say that Chris Rainey actually has more rushing yardage and Jeffery Demps has almost as much, so they're as deep as can be and will do just fine without Harvin.
But nobody else except Tebow himself accounts for more big plays and more touchdowns. 16 times has Harvin found the endzone on offense, nine rushing and seven recieving. And let's not forget what he can do on punt and kickoff returns either.
Harvin also sometimes lines up at QB in the fabled "Wild Hog" formation made famous by Houston Nutt. If Harvin is on the field he is a threat.
Another aspect of the injury situation that better not be overlooked is the injuries of Matt Patchan, who has a torn medial collateral ligament in his left knee. He's gone for the rest of the season. Defensive tackle Brandon Antwine sprained a knee in the second half Saturday at Florida State. Coach Urban Meyer said Antwine is "probably doubtful" against the Crimson Tide as well.
This does not bode well for a team that has to go against one of the nation's best offensive lines and running backs that can burn you four deep.
Florida will argue once again that they have depth at that position. Lawrence Marsh, the player the player that had been filling in for Antwine while he was out earlier in the year, is expected to be close to 100% after recovering from his own injury. Either way, it's still a very dinged up defensive line.
If Alabama can pound on the weakened Florida defensive line and make the backs creep up to help, then Alabama may have a field day passing in one on one coverages.
Alabama on the other hand is going into the game as healthy as a team could expect to be in this late in the season. Saban attributes much of it to the off season conditioning the Tide went through.
The only injury that Nick Saban spoke of after the Auburn game was a game ball that Terrance Cody fell on and recovered after a fumble. "That ball may never be the same after Terrance fell on it." joked Saban.
Both teams come in with heavy momentum on their side after easy victories against in state rivals. Therefore with both coming in with a hot hand, it may be the team that grabs the early momentum and runs with it that wins the day.
Every old ball coach I've ever talked to agreed with the old saying, "You fill seats with offense and win with defense." With the Alabama defense firing on all cylinders following an Auburn shut out and the possible hobbling of Harvin combined with the patchwork defensive line of Florida it would be hard to write off the Tide as many journalists and broadcasters have done.
In the end I personally see a hard fought close game that a healthy Alabama eventually wins by wearing down a hobbled Gator. Either way, it'll be a great game to watch.
27 comments Last one added 7 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ed Q. 7 months ago
"And let's not forget what he can do on punt and kickoff returns either."
Forgive me but I forget. That might have something to do with the fact that Harvin has never returned a punt or kick while at the University of Florida. Maybe he's a demon on special teams in closed practices, is that it?
Where is the media getting this special teams impact info? I heard Luginbill spout the same gibberish. Guess if it helps support a theory, facts be damned.
Harvin is a big loss, just look at earlier this year in the Miami game when Harvin was hobbled or in 06 when Harvin was limited vs. Alabama and Kentucky. But in the return game? Well, please a little research please. Ruins your other arguments.
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
Ed, Your own coach has said that Harvin could be used as a kick returner if they needed a jolt. He hasn't been in many games where it was needed though. That's where it's coming from... Sorry you're a Gator fan and didn't know this. Maybe Meyer keeps saying that thinking it will cause us to practice our return coverage different, but I can't see how it would... Anyway, your coach's own statements are my source, so to quote someone who thinks he's wise, "please do a little research" before you get on to someone.
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JoeGator Gator 7 months ago
Harvin does indeed play a role on Special Teams in certain situations (injury status permitting)
Here's an excerpt from Gatorcountry... link below:
"Instead of lamenting these facts, Meyer’s coaches have chosen to emphasize and reward effort over talent. And on places like special teams, effort makes the difference.
A prime example of this: At the showing of the game film in the Champions meeting this week, Percy Harvin got a huge ovation for throwing a block on Tennessee punter Chad Cunningham to spring Brandon James on his 74-yard return for a touchdown. Harvin reportedly received more enthusiastic applause for the block than he did for catching Tim Tebow’s touchdown pass."
http://www.gatorcountry.com/football/article/why_urban_wins_at_football_lite/448
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Ed Q. 7 months ago
Well, first I don't see everything Meyer says, but that being said, I can say I have NEVER heard Meyer say this or seen it written that he did other than just now. I've seen Tebow ask to be on special teams, I've seen Meyer say that Harvin has the fastest first step in college football with james a close 2nd. I've done a little research. Maybe you could point me in the right direction?
Regardless, Harvin was not back for the kick when Ole Miss took the lead, why would fans want to not "forget what he can do on punt and kick returns". We have no idea. Why would Alabama even concern themselves with this hypothetical?
But I'd love to read the article where Meyer mentions this possibility. I've often wondered with why special teams are such a big deal why Percy isn't on them while Dunlap Demps and other starters are.
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
He's been injured some this year and so far Meyer was worried to have him do it because he said he's not a fair catch kind of guy. He had quite a few good kick returns in HS and those that know him thought that's where he'd get in the game the fastest when he first got there. That's just a bullet that Urban ain't put in the gun yet, but believe me, it's loaded. The thought of him having 5 yards open running to plan an escape would be frightening.
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Ed Q. 7 months ago
Well, it aint happened yet, it aint happening Saturday and Harvin aint coming back. So, if it's going to happen it has to be in the Sugar or BCS National Championship game.
It almost certainly aint happening.
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
They haven't said anything publicly yet have they?
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Ed Q. 7 months ago
This is what I saw most recently. But I just mean there is no way Harvin returns kicks this Saturday even if he does play. That "positive news" though might just be the smoke screen to insue Saban has to game plan for Harvin. Or maybe Tebow performed surgery on Harvin.
UF coach Urban Meyer said Monday afternoon that he got some “very positive” news regarding injured WR Percy Harvin.
Harvin is still listed as questionable for the SEC Championship game with a sprained right ankle, but Meyer said the training staff was encouraged by Harvin’s progress.
“A lot of thumbs up,” Meyer said. “He plays well in this game, which he made clear to me over the past two days.”
Harvin had a big game in UF’s 38-28 victory over Arkansas in the 2006 SEC title game. He was named the game’s MVP after rushing for 105 yards and one touchdown and catching five passes for 62 yards and another score. Both of his touchdowns came on big plays – a 67-yard run and a 37-yard pass.
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Nick The Only 7 months ago
There are several scenarios involving an injured Percy Harvin:
1. He recovers to 100% and plays (not likely if he really sprained his ankle)
2. He is not as injured as it seems, and is in fact close to 100% and this is just gamesmanship by Meyer (he recognized the slopping conditions on FSU's field and was over precautious with Harvin). So he plays just like scenario #1, but Meyer was just messing with Saban's gameplanning.
3. Harvin is really hurt and cannot play (not likely that he won't play even if he is sore)
4. Most likely: Harvin plays at about 75%, but his presence is enough to give Alabama something to think about when he is on the field.
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Zeptogator 7 months ago
Hmmm. Wasn't Harvin injured early in the FSU game yet the Gators still won in Tallahassee by 30 points? Wasn't the last TD scored by FSU against the 2nd or 3rd team UF defense? Also, I think it was mentioned earlier that Harvin missed the first game and wasn't 100% for the Miami game nor the Tennessee game?
Harvin only touches the ball 8 times per game on average. With Harvin gone, that means Tebow will keep it a few more times, and kick return specialist Brandon James will get the ball a couple more times, and Tebow will throw a pass to a different receiver (6'5" David Nelson or 6'3" Carl Moore or TE Hernandez) 2 more times. There will be a drop off without Harvin, but it isn't a huge drop off.
He did line up as a return man in a couple games but never fielded the ball, but that is about it.
UF leads the nation in turnovers (+21), with 23 interceptions. I think Bama needs to be worrying about being one dimensional, not UF.
Holding UF to less than 100 yards rushing? Moody was injured in the first half, which is why he only had 16 yards. Harvin took the bulk of the RB snaps. Now, we have Demps, Rainey, and Moody at 100%. Oh, and Tebow can run a little, too. He just hasn't had to at all this year.
UF will score on offense. However, the biggest concern is the defensive tackle position, especially against Bama. If the Gators can't get Bama in 3rd and long situations, it will be a close game. If Gators and Brandon Spikes can stop the run even without depth at DT, then this game will be over early, just like all the rest.
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Jared Cox 7 months ago
Yeah, but we aren't FSU... Not to mean ya'll won't have any offense without Harvin, that would be foolish to say. But, you would have a considerable chunk missing, to say not would be a disgrace to Harvin.
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Jonny Solovy 7 months ago
i don't care who plays and who doesn't play... if teams are allowed to make excuses and if UF makes excuses for this than I as a USC fan want an excuse for not having our starting all conference cornerback vs oregon st and Joe mcknight had turf toe and played small amounts...if I get that excuse we'd be in the title too... every college team/pro team has to deal with injuries... no excuses.
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Steven Resnick 7 months ago
Florida hasn't played anyone this year except Georgia. They are in trouble because Florida will actually being playing a team that will beat them. Florida is highly overrated and they are not even better than USC.
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GatorJon 7 months ago
Steven, someone should take your keyboard away.
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Steven Resnick 7 months ago
Sorry not going to happen Gatorjon. Can you tell me a great team that Florida has played? LSU they are a 5 loss team, Hawaii a 5 loss team, Tennessee a 7 loss team, Kentucky a 6 loss team, Arkansas a 7 loss team, The Citadel an 8 loss team, and South Carolina a 5 loss team.
Sorry Gatorjon its a fact even if Alabama loses to Florida they are not going to the title game because they don't deserve to be there. It would mean the only two teams that they beat were Alabama and Georgia. Hahahahahahaaha not a great resume for a National Championship team.
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GatorJon 7 months ago
You complaint appears to be with the BCS not me. Good luck.
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Nick The Only 7 months ago
Who has Alabama played? Remind me again?
As far as I can tell, Florida has the stronger SOS:
Combined winning percentage of Florida's opponents to date = 59%
Combined winning percentage of Alabama's opponents to date = 51%
Alabama is highly overrated, considering that they average 14 points less per game against a significantly easier schedule than Florida.
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Carson Howell 7 months ago
What good teams has USC played? hmmmmm The trojans lost to Orest. who lost to stanford and just got blown out by oregon.....Your on drugs.
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Zeptogator 7 months ago
Who's making excuses? Every team has had injuries. Actually, it might be a blessing in disguise, since it will give UF a week to game plan without Harvin. Why did you (Jonny) even bring up the Oregon St. game and all their injuries? It's not like USC played anyone. Sure, USC crushed OSU, but the SEC always beats OSU. Maybe you are right that UF is overrated and all the voters and computers are wrong, but at least they have a shot at the title, so they must be doing something right (or smarter).
Anyway, back to the title of this article, the difference will be on defense, either a forced turnover, big play on special teams, or whether UFs tackles can man-up. Harvin is irreplaceable but UF is still a potent offense without him.
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GatorJon 7 months ago
Larry, it looked like a high-ankle sprain to me which makes me think he would at best be able to run in a straight line and I'm guessing even Alabama players could figure out how to defend the Percy Harvin straight up the field play.
I am guessing he will play, but we will have to see how effective he is. He is a gamer and has played injured before.
Regardless, I expect Brandon James (who definitely plays on special teams) will pick up more reps in the backfield and the coaching staff mentioned moving Louis Murphy into the backfield as well.
Harvin's big play ability would be missed but the Gators do have plenty of weapons to pick up the slack. A concern however might be turnovers with the guys filling in for Harvin due to lack of reps at those spots.
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
Thankee for "almost" unbiased update...
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Zeptogator 7 months ago
Gator Jon is spot on. The biggest concern is turnovers. Demps and Rainey have been know to turn it over during big hits, especially the past few games. Luckily against South Carolina and FSU it wasn't enough to derail Florida's O and the defense would just stuff the ensuing drive. Against Bama the turnovers will be more troublesome.
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Carson Howell 7 months ago
No Percy=Lucky Bama
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mindi green 7 months ago
I would LOVE to believe that Percy won't play Sat......but if that child can even hop he'll be out there!!
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
Good! I rather have him on the field at 50% than somebody at 100%! Heck he ain't superman either!
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Sean Cagney 7 months ago
Glad to see he was out and they still pulled it off!!!!! I thought it would be the battle it was and it was a great game. If Harvin plays it is not such a close game and FLA by 17 or so IMO, but I am glad they pulled it off spite the injuries and proved they deserve to be in the BIG game and respresent the SEC!!!
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Larry Burton 7 months ago
Congrats to the Gators,,, they earned it! GO SEC in the Bowl Games.
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