Florida Football: Containing Spencer Rattler will decide fate of the Gators
![Florida Gators defensive end Kelby Collins (11) and Florida Gators defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) wait for a play call during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2Fbe8e96bb2b82a0553b42a780f14006a9e80543fe5a990b5b3a49b8555c9088eb.jpg "Florida Gators defensive end Kelby Collins (11) and Florida Gators defensive end Princely Umanmielen (1) wait for a play call during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Steve Spurrier Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on Saturday, October 7, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]")
This Saturday may be the game that makes or breaks the 2023 season for Florida football. With Vegas and all advanced metrics expecting a coin-flip game, one or two plays are all it may take to turn the tide in South Carolina.
And while the Gamecocks have a bevy of flaws on offense, one very familiar name may be who determines the fate of the Gators on Saturday.
Florida Football: Run Spencer Run
We all know what happened last season as Florida steamrolled South Carolina inside The Swamp. As we have pointed out all offseason, Patrick Toney couldn’t stop anybody and even he managed to stop Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks last season.
Against Florida last season, Rattler had a “time to throw” of 2.64 seconds, the third-lowest amount he had in all of 2022.
The good news for Gator fans in 2023 is that South Carolina’s offensive line might be even worse this season. We all remember the opening night when North Carolina went “Come on and raise up” and Rattler had to pick himself off the ground eight times following eight sacks.
His “time to throw” in that game? 2.62 seconds.
South Carolina as a whole is averaging 2.7 yards per rush, the 14th worst in the country. It’s not the Gamecock running backs that Florida football will have to worry about on Saturday.
It’s what will happen when the pocket collapses and Rattler himself has to run. He is capable of using his legs to keep plays alive until a receiver comes open or he has to run for the first down himself.
Against North Carolina, the Tar Heels kept their lanes and didn’t let Rattler escape. Against Mississippi State, the Bulldogs didn’t do that.
Rattler is on pace to have the most QB scrambles of his career this season, and it will be up to guys like Princely Umanmielen to keep their lanes and not over-pursue, while guys like Scooby Williams may get employed as some type of spy to keep an eye on Rattler.
Stay disciplined and Florida can fly home happy. Lose focus and it’s a long plane ride home.
dark. Next. Beating South Carolina feels like a must win