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Florida Gators Football: Keys To Defeating Iowa Hawkeyes In Outback Bowl

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Austin Appleby (12) throws against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the second quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) runs the ball against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter of the SEC Championship college football game at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Establish The Run

It’s no secret that the Florida Gators rank amongst the worst offensive teams in the country. Florida ranks No. 13 out of 14 teams in the SEC in total yards accumulated, which is heavily influenced by inconsistency at quarterback.

Due to the erratic nature of the Gators’ passing attack, the key to offensive execution will be establishing the run.

Florida has two of the most promising running backs in the country in Jordan Scarlett and Lamical Perine. Scarlett has run for 795 yards and six touchdowns on an average of 4.8 yards per carry, while Perine has 402 rushing yards and a score on an identical average of 4.8 yards per carry.

Together, Scarlett and Perine have the raw talent and balance in running style to give the Iowa Hawkeyes trouble in the Outback Bowl.

Unfortunately, this will be yet another battle with an elite defense. Iowa is admittedly allowing 153.2 rushing yards per game, but it’s held its past three opponents—Michigan, Illinois, and Nebraska—to a combined 23 points.

Florida will need Scarlett and Perine to run like they did against the LSU Tigers if this game is going to end in an ideal way.

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