HEEEERRRREEE come the questions.
Florida closed out its early-season nonconference slate with a 39-0 throttling of UAB on Saturday night at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, dominating all facets of the game against an overmatched underdog for the second time in as many weeks. Now the Gators (2-0) turn their attention to the Southeastern Conference, to Tennessee, to their first real test of the season.
The offense is running smoothly. But what will happen when it faces a team that stacks the box and challenges quarterback John Brantley? The defense has dominated, allowing three total points in two games. But how will it react to faster receivers, stronger running backs and bigger offensive linemen?
Coach Will Muschamp bristled when asked another question Saturday night: “Do you feel good about what you wanted to get done the first two weeks?”
“We wanted to be 2-0,” he responded. “And that’s where we are.”
To get there, No. 16 Florida jumped all over UAB from the opening kickoff, which Andre Debose returned 50 yards into Blazers territory. The Gators scored on five of six first-half possessions. They gained 512 yards of total offense, 300 more than the Blazers (0-1).
They dominated up front, running the ball on 55 of 75 plays from scrimmage. They held on to the ball for 36 minutes. They limited Blazers quarterback Bryan Ellis to 141 yards.
Chris Rainey led Florida with 119 yards on the ground and 43 more through the air. He scored once. So did Mike Gillislee. So did Trey Burton. So did Hunter Joyer. Quarterback John Brantley was efficient, completing 12 of 19 passes for 195 yards.
Still, questions remain. Rainey has touched the ball a team-high 36 times this year, 19 more than the second most-used player. Can his 174-pound frame continue to support the offense?
Jeff Demps left Saturday’s game in the first quarter with what the always-guarded Muschamp called a “bang on the shoulder.” Will he be ready this weekend?
Half of Brantley’s completions were in the flats. Can he really keep getting away with that?
And then there is the red zone.
Florida drove with ease throughout the first half, only stalling inside the UAB 20. Offensive coordinator Charlie Weis talked last week about the importance of capitalizing on red-zone possessions. Settling for field goals is a loss, he said.
On three of Florida’s first four possessions, the Gators settled.
“It’s demoralizing for an offense to kick field goals in the red zone,” Muschamp said. “You want to leave with points regardless; that’s the first thing. But when you get down there, you got to put seven on the scoreboard, especially where we’re headed.”
Defensively, Florida stifled UAB’s spread formation with a nickel package. The Blazers relied on a short passing attack, but the Gators were able to disrupt passing lanes and limit big plays. UAB gained just 212 total yards, and last week FAU managed only 137. Still, questions.
The Gators couldn’t get a sack, and they only had two a week ago. Will the defensive line live up to the hype, or will they fade like last year?
Florida now has one takeaway this season, a fumble forced by Matt Elam in the third quarter; Muschamp wants three each game. Will that ever happen?
Florida almost got burned twice. Once, a 38-yard UAB touchdown pass was called back because of an illegal shift. Then, Ellis overthrew his receiver, who was wide open streaking down the middle of the field.
The Gators feature four underclassmen in their secondary — sophomores Matt Elam and Cody Riggs, freshmen Marcus Roberson and De’Ante Saunders. Will they be exposed by a better passer?
“It’s going to get tougher, but we’re excited,” Riggs said. “We’re ready for it, and I think we’ll do a great job.”
They will need to because Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray will waltz on to Florida Field with plenty of momentum come Saturday. The sophomore threw for 405 yards and four touchdowns against Cincinnati last weekend.
At his disposal will be deep threats like Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers. And there will be plenty more talent. And, for once, that talent won’t just be coming off the home sideline.
“It’s no joke,” Burton said of this week’s opponent.
“Every mistake you do, they’ll capitalize on it. They’re a little faster, a little bigger.”
How will Florida respond to a team that fights back?
Contact Tyler Jett at tjett@alligator.org.
Florida beat UAB handily on Saturday in The Swamp, shutting out the Blazers 39-0, but questions linger as Southeastern Conference play gets underway. Tennesee and its ninth-ranked passing attack await.
