Florida football: Gators’ special teams’ EPA is alarming

Florida football has looked exceptional on defense this season, and while it took a little bit of time, the offense is starting to come around as well.

But one area where the Gators seem to have almost gotten worse is special teams.

From fielding punts at their own one-yard line to not converting field goals, the Gators just can’t quite seem to do anything right.

And when you take a look at the special teams’ EPA (Expected points added) per game, it gets even more concerning.

Florida football: On pace to be historically bad

Here is the EPA game-by-game so far this season of Florida’s special teams. (via @JBudDavis)

Utah: -5.25

McNeese St: +1.12

Tennessee: -3.39

If that pace keeps up, special teams will end up costing the Gators 30.08 points over the course of the season.

For a team like the Gators who need to be almost perfect in order to beat some of their rivals this season, that simply can’t be allowed to happen.

At Utah the main culprits were Eugene Wilson catching a punt at UF’s one-yard line, and then the debacle of having two players wearing No. 3 to give the Utes a first down.

Against the Vols, a missed field goal and blocked extra points didn’t do Florida many favors. Plus, they only had ten men on the field for one of UT’s kicks.

Hopefully, there’s a simple or easy fix to this problem. The Gators have one more week against Charlotte to figure out their issues before their full SEC slate rolls around.

And they won’t be able to burn 3-5 points on the road in Lexington or Columbia and still expect to win those games.

Simply put, there’s no room for this type of poor play on special teams at Florida. Especially in the middle of a rebuild where they have a chance to put together an 8-win season, which would be a massive success for this squad.

Napier has been preaching accountability and that they’re always addressing the issues that the team has. This is his chance to prove he really means it.