UF FOOTBALL SEASON EXPECTATIONS 10'-11'??? WILL UF SINK OR SWIM???

 Considering the impending end of the 09'-10' season it seems only fair to begin to analyze expectations in Gainesville for next year. First, the continued coaching staff changes i.e. Charlie Strong (Louisville), and Billy Gonzalez (LSU) furthermore, the impending decision for a new Defensive Coordinator. Currently Urban Meyer is in the process of deciding if it should be an internal promotion i.e. McCarney, and Bedford as CO-DC or an outward hire.

“I’m working the phones and I’m getting bombarded,” Meyer said. “I want to do right. Four of the five years we’ve finished in the top ten or top 15 in defense here at Florida [with Charlie Strong as the coordinator]. There are a lot of things to consider.”

“I’m still at the ground stages of it,” Meyer said. “It’s the puzzle. It’s the alignment. Players are number one, assistant coaches are number two and the head coach is number three and I’m the first one to realize that. All the head coach has to do is make sure we recruit good players and we have the power of the unit we call it where there are really strong position coaches and we’ve been blessed. The last four-year run has been pretty dynamic because of players, number one, and then the assistant coaches, number two.”

 Former Central Michigan WR coach Zach Azzani was hired 1 day after Billy Gonzalez took the Passing Coordinator position at LSU. Though the move was surprising to many a relationship had already been built years before. I believe Coach Azzani will bring in a new sense of work ethic, passion, and intensity.Though Coach Gonzalez was a great recruiter many felt including I that his deficiencies were in teaching route running and separation skills. Overall, Coach Gonzalez had some of the best blocking WR corp in the nation for several years.

 Coach Azzani was on Meyer's 01'-02' graduate assistant Bowling Green team. Meyer believes that Azzani will bring in a fluid transition and continuity. Young WR's both within the program and coming in will have a clean slate therefore, many can start on a good foot. These WR's i.e. Thompson, Hines, Hammond, Lawrence, Alli, and Moore.... including the 10' recruiting class will be able to show that they can contribute to the team and earn early PT.

“My biggest thing was we need carryover and he provides that,” Meyer said. “He’s extremely well thought of.”

 To really evaluate and determine what GATOR NATION should expect and anticipate one should focus on the NFL draft. As has been reported up to 7 possible underclassmen may opt out to leave early for the Draft. These individuals may include Hernandez, Haden, Wright, Rainey, Pouncey Twins, Johnson, and Black. In addition, one must also consider both the leadership and experience UF will be losing due to graduation i.e. Tebow, Spikes, Stamper, Cunningham and 22 other Seniors.

 Considering UF's 10'-11' Football Schedule one should be optimistic but yet cautious. Road games at Tennessee and Alabama will determine if this new era i.e. Brantley era will be a successful one. In addition, difficult home games vs LSU and the annual WLOCP in Jacksonville vs. Georgia will determine if UF has any SEC Championship aspirations. The offense will be changing and adapting to Brantley's more pass oriented skills. OC Addazio must show better command and play-calling skills in order to alleviate criticism and thoughts in regards to Meyer's decision of new OC last year. He must develop a better command of playcalling in regards to predictability. Throughout the year this was UF's biggest challenge in the Red Zone

 In my opinion UF will probably have a 10-2 record and play for another 3rd straight SEC Championship. I feel that the losses will be vs. BAMA and Tennessee. Both very difficult road games with a young Offense and Defense. In order for an upset to occur the Defense must be able to absorb the losses and reload. There is a lot of young talent on D i.e. Bostic, Jenkins, Evans, including possibly the #1 Recruiting class coming in. Expectations should be LESS than it was this year but, in Gainesville expectations for Championships never stay LOW for to long.