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Florida football: The “Middle 8” is killing the Gators this season

By Will Thomas

Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) reacts as they lose 31 to 24 against the Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Vanderbilt Florida 054
Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson (15) reacts as they lose 31 to 24 against the Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn.Nas Vanderbilt Florida 054 /
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As if we haven’t said it enough this season, the Florida football team has been on an absolute rollercoaster ride all year. It’s hard to find any element of their game that has been consistent throughout the year.

Unfortunately, it’s become obvious what this issue is for the Gators.

The Middle 8.

The Middle 8 is the last four minutes of the first half and the first four minutes of the second half. In 2020, Florida dominated the Middle 8 by being able to score before the half and immediately come out of the locker room with another blow.

This season, it’s been a struggle.

Aside from beating a terrible Eastern Washington team 7-0, and needing an AR explosive run to have the advantage over Utah, the Gators have been horrible in the Middle 8.

And it isn’t just the fact that UF has been struggling in this time period, but it’s how they struggle.

Turning the ball over at the end of a half or opening a half is a great way to lose all momentum. And the Florida offense isn’t built to make big comebacks in a short period of time. They need to control the ball and the game’s tempo to succeed.

The Gators’ struggle during the Middle 8 this week was brutal. They actually lost the Middle 8 7-0 as their second-half score didn’t come until after the 11:00 mark. Against Vanderbilt. Come on.

Down by one with a bit over 3 minutes left in the first half, the Gators were getting the ball with a chance to take a lead into the locker room and get the ball to start the second half.

Then Jason Marshall did the most inexplicable thing and tried to field a punt over his shoulder while running back into his own endzone. You all know how it ended.

The self-inflicted mistakes are what make the Middle 8 failures not just harmful to our chances of winning, but demoralizing to the morale of both players and fans.

Napier and his staff have already fixed lots of issues that UF had when they took over. Their next step needs to be cleaning up the Middle 8, or Florida will keep struggling to put together consecutive great games.

Keep up with Florida football at Hail Florida Hail. 

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