Florida vs. LSU: Gators open as 4.5-point underdogs against the Tigers

“You see the confidence that they have in him, ” McElwain said. Not that anyone in Gainesville is thinking about losing but UF is now 4-0 in the East, Kentucky is the only one-loss team, and the Gators hold the head-to-head tie-breaker against the Wildcats.

This week, however, he’s going up against one of the best defenses in the SEC. Florida moved up three spots from No. 11.

The Gators are rolling on offense as McElwain has found the roster perfectly suitable for his clever, pro-style system. That’s been my lone goal for a couple of weeks now.

Lock is 4 of his last 16 for 20 yards and two interceptions. That can add up. If the Tigers can mix in short passes and execute the play-action game well, Florida has been vulnerable at times to the pass at times and allows 197.2 yards a game, although the Gators have picked off 7 passes. With that said, it’s one thing to be successful against subpar defenses like South Carolina, and another to look competitive against the likes of Florida.

Missouri running back Russell Hansbrough, center, fights his way… “I don’t think we are, but we’ll find out this week if we’re a one-hit wonder”.

Part of being a developer of talent more than a recruiter is that you’re aiming for three- and four-year improvement over immediate success.

Things cratered the following year, when Florida went 4-8, including a loss to then-FCS Georgia Southern. And they weren’t ready for Florida, probably the best defense remaining on the schedule. Quarterback Will Grier wasn’t spectacular Saturday, going 20-for-33 for 208 yards with no touchdowns, but the Gators were able to turn the game over to their running game and defense. Missouri will need to get creative Saturday. “They don’t allow a bunch of sacks because of how they get it out and how they play quickly”. They could show up and play to their full potential and pull off the win, but that doesn’t seem too terribly likely at this point in time.

The fact that Florida is moving the ball so well on offense might have been unexpected. Grier may lead a solid passing game, but the Gators’ run game has been relatively stagnant, averaging just 140 yards per game. And after Will Grier started the game 3-for-4 for 39 yards, he finished 17-for-29 for 169 and four sacks.

Lock threw for 136 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-10 win over South Carolina last week in his first career start. But hey, Florida has only 5 on six. And while Demarcus Robinson had a decent game – 10 targets, 6 catches, 79 yards – nobody else did. The Tigers need more from their offense if they are to get on a run, and Lock owns the helm with Mauk (654 yards passing, 135 rushing) suspended indefinitely.

With the amount of people that are considering the Gators and even have us high on the list, how are the numbers looking?

Florida couldn’t take advantage of the takeaway as kicker Jorge Powell missed a 36-yard field goal on the ensuing drive. McElwain said. “I know this: That dark place you were talking about, it was really dark”.

“We didn’t play great by any stretch of the imagination, but I’m proud of them”. Cornerback in 2016 is set with Penton, John Gibson (who I thought was strong last night), Logan Cheadle, Anthony Hines, and company.

Defensively, look out for sophomore corner Quincy Wilson, who has been sound and physical in coverage this season opposite Vernon Hargreaves III.

Florida’s offense has not been a strength this season.

McElwain has flipped a five-loss team that earned a bottom-tier bowl into an undefeated potential playoff contender without really changing anything the Gators do.