Each week, resident football expert- Gator Encyclopedia, breaks down the upcoming football game. Check out the www.windycitygators.com for more stories, including a post-game write-up on the Gators crushing loss against Auburn.
When the Gators 2007 schedule was released, I circled 2 games on the calendar. That first circle was placed around the Sept. 15th game against the Tennessee Volunteers, the second pen mark encircled this weeks game against the LSU Tigers. The game against Tennessee was almost too easy a hurdle for the boys to tackle, but I do not expect the game against the Tigers to be such a gimmie.
Playing in the best conference in college football is no easy task. Week-in and week-out you are faced with rough-nosed football squads filled with the nations best talent. You can brutalize a top tier SEC program like Tennessee, barely squeeze out a win against SEC bottom dweller Mississippi State, then lose to Auburn at home in a game that you should have won. That's just the way football goes down South.
Most voices in the media are already handing a "W' to the Tigers long before a down has even been played. But, being the underdog is not something that intimidates Urban Meyer or the rest of the Florida Gator coaching staff. Instead he uses it as a physiological tool to motivate his team. The last game the Gators were considered the heavy underdog in was the 2006 BCS Championship game against Ohio State. The media doubted that the Gators would be able to keep up with Heisman winner Troy Smith and the mighty Ohio State Buckeyes, and even questioned if Florida deserved to be playing in Glendale. By the end of the night, Coach Meyer hoisted the BCS Trophy in the air, and proved that the Gators had every right to be playing on that field. The Gators will again enter this game as the underdog, which reminds senior Bubba Caldwell of the 2003 LSU game in Baton Rouge where Ron Zook's boys were also considered the heavy underdog. Behind Chris Leak, the Gators were able to pull out the win. Says Caldwell, "We were underdogs, didn't have a shot in the world. But, to hear all those roaring fans go silent at the end of the ball game, that was a great feeling."
In my opinion, this is one of the most critical games of Urban Meyer's tenure thus far at The University of Florida. Do I think this game will make or break the football program at The University of Florida? Absolutely not. But, do I believe this game will play a pivotal role in the careers of this very young football team? Absolutely. The game will shape not only the rest of the Gators season, but the next several years of this program. Most of the boys on the Gator roster are barely old enough to vote. They are young kids with short attention spans. I am not certain that these young men would be able to overcome consecutive losses this early in the season; with games still to come against Kentucky, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida State. But, if they persevere it will be a great boost of confidence for the team and they will go into the off week with their SEC Championship dreams in their hands.
Spread it Around: The spread offense which Meyer made famous during his time at Utah has not seemed to come to fruition the last few games. In the Auburn game, it sometimes felt as if I was watching the Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin show. Tebow and Harvin are two of the most talented players in all of college football and their playmaking abilities leave analysts in awe. But in order for this offense to really take off it is critical that the supporting cast gets the opportunity to shine as well.
Tight end Cornelius Ingram out of Hawthorne is a weapon the Gators can't afford to not use. His size, speed, and glue-like hands make him a defensive coordinators nightmare. When the Gators line up in a 4 receiver set in the Bayou, Ingram should draw the 3rd or 4th defender, and should be able to use this to his advantage. Get the ball to Ingram and the bottom line is good things will happen. With Percy Harvin or Bubba Caldwell drawing the double-team look for Louis Murphy to also have a break-out game. One of the fastest guys on the team, Murphy has had a few big plays here and there but has yet to have that true break-out game.
In the Auburn game, starting running back Kestahn Moore touched the ball a measly three times. For the spread offense to truly work, you must keep the threat of running the ball in the opponents mind. Although, Tim Tebow is the teams leading rusher, you really need to give Moore the opportunity to break open a big play.
The return of a healthier Riley Cooper and Bubba Caldwell should also allow Tebow to spread things around a little more. The offense has really taken a hit these last few weeks with Bubba out. The senior provided tremendous leadership to the young receiving corp and was also one of the best blockers on the field. Bubba's reemergence will provide a good emotional boost to the team and give them such much needed veteran leadership.
Head-to-Heads: Both teams bring squads chock full of talent, but there are several key match-ups that will determine the outcome of this game. The first match-up pitts future first round NFL draft pick, Glenn Dorsey against the Gator offensive line. On Saturday, the 6-4, 300 pound senior defensive tackle will try to prove why he is one of the best college football players in the land. The Baton Rouge native will feed off the home crowd and attempt to make it a very long night for the Gator offensive line and QB Tim Tebow. If Dorsey is able to continuously get pressure up the middle then it is going to be very difficult for Tebow to throw the long ball. It is important that the offensive line gives Tim plenty of protection against Dorsey so that he has time to find the open man.
LSU's linebacker group, led by senior Ali Highsmith, is also quite good. Highsmith has excellent speed and good football IQ. His number will be called to protect LSU against the Tim Tebow run. If Dorsey is able to get pressure up the middle and prevent the long ball, and Highsmith is able to stop the Tebow run, then the Gators will be forced to resort to a lot of short passes. Although this is not the ideal situation for the Gators, this game plan would force LSU to be very technically sound with their open field tackling. The speed and shiftiness of our receivers makes this a difficult task. LSU's defense may be able to prevent the big play for the majority of the game, but the Gators bevy of talent on offense should be able to convert a few big plays throughout the game.
LSU's offensive line did not offer much protection for QB Matt Flynn in last weeks game against Tulsa. The Gators bring a much faster and more talented group of defenders to the table, so expect defensive coordinator Charlie Strong to try and put pressure on LSU's offensive line early in the game. It is important that the defense gets in the heads of QB Matt Flynn from the get go so that he isn't able to get into a steady rhythm.
Loaded Gun: The clear advantage that the Gators have in this game stands only 5'6 tall and weighs 180 pounds. This weapon is Brandon James, the electrifying sophomore kick returner. After sitting out the first game due to a suspension, James has continued to wow the crowd with his ability to hit gaps and make people miss in the open field. His small stature and quick feet have made James a difficult target to bring down. Last week, Brandon gave Tim Tebow and the offense good field position on drive after drive, but the Gators did not seem to take advantage. The offense will need all the help this week from James, as they go head to head with LSU's mighty defense. If James is able to give Tebow a short field, the team will be at a great advantage, especially considering how lackluster LSU's special team performance has been this year.
Wrap-up: The LSU Tigers currently sit perched atop the rankings as the 1 team in the land. Their defense has stifled every opponent they have faced, and their offense has put enough points on the board to keep things rolling. A night game in such a hostile environment will be a tough hurdle for the boys from the sunshine state. But, its been less than a year since the Gators knocked another 1 team off their pedestal.
Tim Tebow and Bubba Caldwell will carry the offense on their shoulders as Derrick Harvey and Brandon Spikes provide the big plays on defense. The Gators ride out of the Bayou with the win. Gators: 24-21.