2011 College Football Preview: No. 16 Florida Gators
2010 featured the Gators' first three-game losing streak since Ronald Reagan was president, no offensive identity, a withdrawn head coach and a closing month of November that included losses to South Carolina and Florida State by a combined score of 67-21.
They'll be young, and mostly inexperienced. Urban Meyer's replacement will be in his first year as a head coach — anywhere. The schedule is among the most arduous in the country. The conference is nothing short of an NFL minor league, and it is loaded once again.
The team's most effective quarterback from a season ago, will be a fullback in 2011. Their field corner and most valuable defensive player, couldn't put the blunt down and has since transferred to North Alabama.
Sound like an SEC championship contender to you?
Maybe it should...
Offense
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It's now or never for John Brantley.
At this point one year ago, the once ballyhooed signal caller was thought to be an adequate heir apparent to Tim Tebow. Instead, his junior campaign was a disaster that saw freshman Trey Burton emerge as the Gators' most effective option at the position.
Enter: Charlie Weis.
Clearly, Brantley was not appropriately suited for Meyer's spread option attack, and the previous regime did very little to modify the offense accordingly. But, with Weis comes a pro-style offense that appears to be a wonderfully natural fit for No. 12.
The backfield is stockpiled with speed. The coaching staff is expecting a breakout season for Chris Rainey. Rainey missed five games due to suspension in 2010, and managed only 366 yards as a result. But, with added emphasis toward getting the ball in his hands, the senior running back appears to be primed for a feature role in Weis' offense.
Behind Rainey on the depth chart is senior Jeff Demps. Demps led the Gators in rushing last season on only 92 carries. An olympic-caliber sprinter, the Gators will look to use his speed outside of the tackles and in space in 2011.
Trey Burton had a breakout season in 2010, conjuring up adoration from the Gator faithful along the way. He'll have a new home at H-Back in 2011, where he gives Florida unparalleled versatility from an often stagnant position.
No wide receiver on the roster has accomplished much to date. Still, guys like Quinton Dunbar, Andre Dubose, Frankie Hammond and Omarius Hines, all have desirable skill sets. Jordan Reed has moved from quarterback to tight end, and presents All-SEC caliber upside.
The offensive line is a mystery. Only right tackle Xavier Nixon and right guard Jon Halapio have starting experience. Even more important than the success or failure of John Brantley, may be the success or failure of this unit.
Defense
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If dissecting the prospects of these Gators hasn't yet proved to be a sufficient enough conundrum, this realization should do the trick: Florida may be reliant on a defense that returns only three starters.
Ronald Powell is largely responsible for creating such a contradictory expectation.
Powell leads a group of up front that figures to be a considerable improvement upon the Gators' defensive line of a season ago. The nation's top overall recruit in 2010, he will be featured at "Buck" — a hybrid end-linebacker position — where Florida will need him to vastly enhance what was a porous pass rush last season. Joining him, senior William Green will book end a four front. Sophomores Sharrif Floyd and Dominique Easley are the starters at the tackle spots.
Jelani Jenkins has All-SEC potential at outside linebacker. He and junior middle backer Jon Bostic supply experience to an otherwise inexperienced linebacking core. Such is evidenced by the ascension of freshmen Gideon Ajagbe and Michael Taylor, and converted tight end Gerald Christian.
The secondary is a concern, to say the least. After the dismissal of All-American cornerback Janoris Jenkins, the Gators are left without any substantial experience in the defensive backfield. Sixth-year senior Moses Jenkins and junior Jeremy Brown figure into the starting lineup on the corners by default.
Freshman De'Ante Saunders and sophomore Cody Riggs could push them for clock. Sophomore Matt Elam will start at strong safety, with junior Josh Evans flanking him at free safety. Elam figures to be the strength of this secondary.
Special Teams
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Special teams should be a strength.
Kicker Caleb Sturgis is back from a back injury that cost him the final eight weeks of 2010. Freshman Kyle Christy will handle the punting responsibilities.
The strength, however, comes in the speed and playmaking ability of the Gator return specialists.
Sophomore Andre Debose will field kickoffs. Chris Rainey will watch as special teams coaches instruct their punters to kick the football out of bounds.
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Game of the Year
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Oct. 29 vs. Georgia
"The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" has been reduced in magnitude of late.
That should all change in 2011.
The contest may ultimately serve as an SEC Championship play-in game for Georgia. With South Carolina looming two weeks later, a win here for the Gators could set up a de facto division championship in Columbia.
Fantasy Effect
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The Gator with the most fantasy value probably isn't who you would expect.
Tight end Jordan Reed is a legitimate top tier option at the position. Ranked behind only a handful of other options, the converted signal caller should be available as late as the 10th round.
The arrival of Charlie Weis gives John Brantley some credibility as a viable option at quarterback — especially in two quarterback leagues. But, the "Weis Effect" is seen far more in the value of Florida's wideouts.
Quinton Dunbar and Deonte Thompson both possess considerable upside. Dunbar is the more valuable of the two — with most mock drafts seeing him leave the board in the vicinity of the 10th round. Thompson should be available into the middle-teens, and may actually represent the better bang for your buck as a result.
The steal of the entire draft could end up being Chris Rainey. The speedster is said to have a starring role in the Gators' new look on offense, and he will be available into the latest rounds of any draft.
The Florida D/ST still has value, despite the mass departures. They're for someone looking to spend a pick on this position in the 14th-to-17th round range.
Gator Bait: Final Forecast
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All conventional signs point to a transition year for the Florida Gators in 2010.
But, conventional wisdom seems ill suited for this particular team.
With Muschamp leading the charge (particularly on defense), and Charlie Weis running the offensive show (but free from the burdens of leading said charge) the Gators look to have championship-caliber leadership.
With raw athletes like Trey Burton, Jeff Demps and Jordan Reed, the Gators also seem to possess the intangibles to push their stars over the edge.
The "stars" are the key. If players like John Brantley, Chris Rainey and Jelani Jenkins can be opportunistic and take control of this team, the sky is the limit.
And, after all, isn't the absence of limitations the presence of normalcy in Gainesville?
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
