No acceptable explanation for Florida’s terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad opener

By Adam Silverstein
September 2, 2017
No acceptable explanation for Florida’s terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad opener
Football

Image Credit: GatorVision

It was believed the No. 17 Florida Gators could beat the No. 11 Michigan Wolverines on Saturday. It became apparent one quarter into the contest that expectations needed to be shifted to Florida simply being competitive in the game. And despite the Gators somehow leading at the half, minutes into the third quarter it was clear they had to find a way not to get blown out.

At least Florida accomplished that … for the most part.

UM triumphed over UF 33-17. Florida’s two touchdowns came on pick sixes. It missed a field goal. Had Michigan not missed two of its own or played conservative at the end, “blowout” would have been the appropriate term for a potential 22-point-or-worse victory. Instead, the Gators lost by 16, mustering just three points achieved via offensive means and getting completely shutout in the second half at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Since we already broke down the entire game here, let’s cede this space to head coach Jim McElwain, who can tell you in his own words how and why Florida had its ass handed to it by a team it swore would not repeat its dominant performance from the 2016 Citrus Bowl.

McElwain’s explanations do not ring hollow. He makes plenty of good points and accurately addresses what went wrong for the Gators. However, the fact that there are so many reasons Florida played as bad as it did makes it unfathomable that all of this could have gone wrong in a single game for a team that should be much better than this.

“They physically took it to us. Give them their due. They beat us every which way they could up front, and we never had an answer. Quarterbacks obviously didn’t play great. You usually don’t play great when you’re playing off your back foot, so we’ve got to do some things that way to help. Disappointed in the lack of being able to run the football. Defense gave us opportunities and wore down a little bit, but I still believe in this football team. I believe in these guys. The guys that weren’t here, that was a chose. That had no impact on the outcome of this game. We’ve got some ball games ahead of us that we got to get ready for. Plain and simple, take your whoopin’. I’m taking it.”

OK that’s a good start. Now let’s talk about pulling a redshirt freshman quarterback in Feleipe Franks, who was making plays with his arms and legs, for graduate transfer Malik Zaire after Franks made an untimely fumble and never inserting him back in the game despite the contest being close and Zaire clearly not being up to the task.

“I just thought we needed to try to shake up the batting order there a little bit. I thought Malik might come in and give us a little change of pace at that point — obviously [we were] still in the ball game. Weren’t able to really generate anything. I was thinking maybe his feet might be able to help us and make a few plays for us. He had some jitters, but you know what, he had a good look in his eye. That was a heck of a throw he made [down the sideline]. … Proud of him, really. Just disappointed.”

Moving on to the offensive line, which McElwain boasted was a strength for Florida entering the season for the first time in eons yet a position that got absolutely dominated by a strong Michigan front.

“Their guys were bigger and stronger. They whooped us. That’s plain and simple,” McElwain said … “We got to make sure we’re doing what we’re supposed to do in the weight room.”

McElwain said Saturday was not indicative of how Florida played and prepared during fall practice, but “[Michigan’s] strength overtook us.” He still “can see the pieces” of an improving offensive identity but now realizes he has to sit down and clean up “that get-it-to list and let those guys make some plays.” Of note, neither redshirt junior wide receiver Dre Massey nor freshman Kadarius Toney made an impact in the game despite McElwain saying they were a “big part” of the game plan.

Now, on to the defense, which was absolutely rocked to the tune of 433 yards. The defensive front seven was unable to contain the run and gave up multiple long gains on the ground during third-and-long scenarios. The young secondary, which got even younger as redshirt senior Nick Washington and sophomore Chauncey Gardner got banged up during the game, was torched again and again for deep plays that never would have happened a year ago.

McElwain basically admitted that his defensive coordinator, Randy Shannon, was outcoached without saying as much.

“I thought [the Wolverines] did a really good job with their kills from the standpoint of the run to pass, pass to run. I think they did a good job reading our luggage there a little bit there in the secondary, not sure we disguised the way we needed to,” he said. “The big runs, I think they had a really good plan.”

He continued, in speaking about the secondary: “I don’t think they did bad, and yet, [Michigan] took advantage of it on some pretty big throws. They did what any normal coach would do [by going after the freshmen]. … This was a good football game for them. It was a physical one. They needed to be able to cover deep balls, and you know what, they did a pretty decent job.”

McElwain wrapped things up Saturday night by relating that he really likes the team he has this season and believes Florida will get things worked out with “an opportunity to grow and be a really, really good team.”

That may prove to be true for the Gators, who should eventually get juniors wide receiver Antonio Callaway and running back Jordan Scarlett in the fold. Florida may not face a team with as much defensive line talent again this season — or if it does — it may be much more prepared for it. By the time UF gets a couple more games into the season, maybe Franks is entrenched at quarterback, the linebackers have figured out how to contain, and the secondary has matured to the point it’s not a liability.

Or maybe not.

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