Florida football: Florida offense vs Florida State defense

Each week we take a look at the Florida football offense and the opposing team’s defense. This week the Gators will take on the Florida State Seminoles in Gainsville.

Two weeks ago, Florida football beat the Missouri Tigers 23-6 on the road. They dominated from start to finish in a hard-fought game in which the Gators looked good.

Florida State beat Alabama State 49-12 for their sixth win of the year last week.

This is more than just the last game of the regular season. This is a battle against a rival, a team that resides only 150 miles away.

Even though the Gators have a much better record, this game will be a hard-fought game.

Florida football offense

The offense has been a high power offense all year. When it was Franks, the offense scored, every since Kyle Trask has taken over the offense just keeps scoring.  Last week, Trask once again had a great game against the Tigers.

He went 23 of 35 for 282 and two touchdowns. From the time he has taken over, Trask has had to throw and throw often. Each week he does just that and does it well. He leads this team and we are glad to see he is coming back.

The running game, well once again they had their issues. The leading rusher was once again a QB, Emory Jones ran for 39 yards on six carries. Running back Lamical Perine ran for 16 yards on only four carries. Fair to say that the offense has moved on from the running game.  It is nothing but a play to keep the defense honest every now and then.

The receivers are a vital key to this offense. With Trask back flinging the ball around he needs guys that can handle it. This group of receivers has to be the top group in the country. Week after week they all step up and perform at a high level. EIght guys caught passes this week, which is about an average for a game. It is what makes them so dangerous. you never know where Trask will go.

Van Jefferson led the way this week with six catches for 82 yards. Not a surprise as he is a guy that is a hard matchup each week. Trevon Grimes caught three for sixty-six yards. Kyle Pitts also had four catches for 38 yards. Florida State has a great DB in Hamsah Nasirildeen. He is big and fast and can cover just about anyone.

But once again with a crew of receivers Florida football has, one guy, can not do it all.  Who does Nasirildeen cover? Pitts? If they don’t Pitts runs wild over any other DB they have.

If he does cover Pitts then Jefferson runs wild. either way long day for the FSU backfield.  Trask should have another good day going for over 275 in the win.

Florida State defense

To start with any other player would not do him justice. Hamsah Nasirildeen has proven to be one of the best DB’s in the country. He can cover and has no problem hitting someone hard.

Some times a little too hard as he has had an ejection for (Targeting).  Stanford Samuels III  who has had two interceptions this year will have the task of covering the receiving group of Florida. He is a good defender that has 6 passes defended this year.

I started with these DB’s as this is poised to be a game where Trask throws plenty of passes. The guys on the other side will get a lot of work on Saturday.

They have decent linebackers that are good at the run but not great at coverage. Emmett Rice has come along all year and maybe playing his best ball.

A.J Lytton had a big game last week with six solo tackles. He is another one that has been making improvements.

But the line for the Seminoles with  Janarius Robinson and Marvin Wilson have been good at times at getting pressure. But the Gator front on offense will be more than up to the task.

Results

It has been a rough year for FSU, they have had to battle themselves as well as their opponents. The defense has not performed well at times this year but they have some really good talent.  The Florida football offense, on the other hand, has performed well all year.

They have been tough to stop and I do not see this week any different. I expect a big game from Trask and the passing game once again and look for the running game to show up.

This is FSU at Uf if that does not get the running game going, nothing will. I see a few defenders having a good game as they will have many chances for tackles. But the Gators will win ad move on to a New Years’ Day Bowl!

No. 8 Florida will host Florida State at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.