The schedule says Florida’s season is half over, but in many ways it feels like it’s just starting.
What have we really learned through six games?
The Gators, on talent alone, were definitively better than FAU, UAB, Kentucky and Tennessee. And, by the same token, they were unquestionably worse than Alabama and LSU.
But what does that really mean?
If you said they ranked anywhere from third to eighth in the Southeastern Conference, or anywhere from 15th to 50th nationally, I couldn’t really argue with you.
Every year, fans are told to discount dominant wins against the lesser opponents that open the schedule, but this year it’s important to do the opposite, too.
The same way Florida doesn’t learn a ton from wins against Kentucky and Tennessee (once Justin Hunter got hurt, anyway), LSU and ‘Bama did not learn much from dominating UF.
This weekend is when the real answers start.
Florida finally gets to face an average opponent. Not a dominating juggernaut sure to flatten the Gators, and not a puny pushover — just an average opponent. Auburn is ranked No. 24 in the nation, right about where the over/under would be set for Florida’s 2011 finish.
Both teams enter under similar circumstances. Each is coming off a blowout loss, and each has questions at quarterback.
Auburn is the control in the experiment that is Florida’s season.
That’s why sophomore center Jonotthan Harrison called this game a defining moment. So did sophomore guard Kyle Koehne.
“This is a huge week,” Koehne said. “We really have to come together as a team. Defense and offense have to play together as a group. We’ll really be put to the test this week.”
And when Florida gets put to the test, we should finally be able to get some answers.
There isn’t a single unit on the team that has performed consistently from week to week.
The rush defense was No. 5 in the nation after four games, allowing just 61 yards per contest. But that number quickly skyrocketed, as UF gave up 232 yards per game against LSU and Alabama.
How good is the Gators’ rush defense?
Florida’s secondary was an unexpected bright spot in the first five weeks, giving up just 4.9 yards per attempt through the air.But LSU put up a dominating 15.4 yards per passing attempt against UF. Cornerbacks Cody Riggs and Marcus Roberson, who had looked so good early in the season, were both burned on deep balls
Which is the real Gators’ pass defense?
Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps were dominant on the ground to start the year, highlighted by UF’s matchup with Kentucky, where the Gators recorded 405 rushing yards. Against Alabama, just seven days later, they ran for 15.
How strong is the Gators’ rushing game?
Through five weeks, senior quarterback John Brantley was leading a consistent passing attack, but now he’s out with an ankle injury.
So what’s UF’s passing offense going to look like?
Even with half of Florida’s games already in the books, there are significantly more questions than answers.
But this weekend, facing a middling opponent for the first time, the true Gators will have a chance to start showing themselves.
Contact Greg Luca at gluca@alligator.org.
