Florida football: What happens if Trevor Etienne can’t go this week?

Florida football is getting ready to host Vanderbilt this weekend in a game where they hope to bounce back from a rough game on the road in Kentucky.

While they match up very well on paper against the Commodores, they may take a hit on the offensive side of the ball with one of their key players listed as questionable.

Gators running back Trevor Etienne was listed as questionable on this week’s depth chart released by Florida with an “upper body” injury.

So, if the Gators’ best RB can’t go this weekend, how will that impact Florida’s offensive strategy?

Florida football: Next man up

This is why everyone says depth is so critical in college football, especially at a position that gets banged up as much as running back.

Having a two-headed monster back there with Etienne and Montrell Johnson already provides some good stability, but the Gators have more than just two guys that can count on.

True freshman Treyaun Webb got a steady diet of carries when the Gators took on McNeese State in week two and showed Gator fans that he’s more than capable of handling a heavy workload.

He ran the ball 14 times for 71 yards and two touchdowns, announcing himself to Billy Napier and the entire Florida fanbase.

So the Gators will still be in good hands with Montrell and Treyaun running the rock, although they’ll still miss the explosiveness that Etienne brings.

But when it comes to the way they’ll gameplan under the threat of not having Trevor, the Gators may opt to pass the ball a little more.

The ground game hasn’t been great as a whole this season when everyone is healthy. So, even though you would still have two guys you can trust, it’s hard to imagine that the offense suddenly can run the ball without their lead horse.

Hopefully, Etienne is able to get healthy over the next 48 hours and go, or the Florida offense will have to adapt in a big way this weekend.