Florida football: 3 overreactions from Saturday’s win over Towson
It’s easy for fans to throw themselves into the world of overreaction. Florida football fans aren’t any different. So, we decided to get out ahead of that.
We’re five games into the season. Florida football is undefeated after playing a not-so-great schedule, beating the likes of UT-Martin, Towson, Kentucky and Tennessee.
But, now things get real.
No. 10 Florida football will have No. 7 Auburn, No. 5 LSU and No. 3 Georgia in the period of just a few weeks.
On Saturday, the Gators got clear of the cupcake portion of its schedule with a 38-0 win over FCS-ranked Towson.
But, even though it was a win, it’s easy to make over-reactive statements. But, we figured it would be a good idea to get ahead of those — or just plant them if you weren’t thinking of them already.
Overreaction No. 1: Florida’s running game is not very good
Why it could be: Lamical Perine wasn’t much of a factor Saturday against a questionable Towson defense.
Instead, Dameon Pierce was. He led the Gators with 84 yards and is just about 40 yards short of Perine for the overall team lead on the ground.
But, Florida football hasn’t had a 100-yard rusher in a game yet this season. With Auburn, LSU and Georgia touting pretty decent defenses, it could be difficult for that to happen, if it does at all this season.
It’s certainly not what anyone in Gator Nation expected.
Our thought: This isn’t an overreaction. It’s true the running game has not taken off the way it was expected to, or the way it should.
It has left a lot to the passing game which, fortunately, has been solid.
Overreaction No. 2: The Florida defense is still shaky
Why it could be: In the first half against Towson, Tigers’ quarterback Tom Flacco looked like a legitimate threat on the ground. In fact, the fifth-year senior led all of Towson’s rushers.
He was made even better considering he was able to find holes up front against a Florida defensive line that was supposed to be the cream of the crop.
Our thought: This is an overreaction. You have to take into account a lot of the defensive starting unit either played sparingly or not at all. Plus, this defense has pitched two shutouts this season — a first in a long time — and it still leads the nation in sacks (24) and leads the conference in interceptions (9).
That said, they are definitely going to be tested over the next four weeks. Getting players like Jabari Zuniga and C.J. Henderson back is vital if the Gators hope to do better than 1-3 in the next four games.
Overreaction No. 3: Florida football is not a Top 10 team
Why it could be: Quite simply, Florida football hasn’t really beaten anyone. With the exception of Towson, none of the Gators’ opponents thus far have a winning record.
Miami and UT-Martin are 2-2 overall while Tennessee is 1-3 and Kentucky is 2-3 so far.
Georgia, on the other hand, beat nationally-ranked Notre Dame (albeit, at home), Auburn beat Oregon to start the season and Texas A&M two weeks ago and LSU beat Texas on the road.
All of those wins were against nationally-ranked opponents, of which the Gators have yet to play one — that changes this weekend.
Our thought: It’s a legitimate belief that Florida is not a Top 10 team. Just looking at their schedule would tell you that. There have been no quality opponents, but plenty of close shaves (Miami and Kentucky).
So, this is not an overreaction.
dark. Next. Gators going with old school look against Auburn
Now, No. 10 Florida football will host No. 7 Auburn at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.