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After last night, all biases aside...

  • Do any of you believe there's a better defense in the country than Florida's? If so, why?

    This post was edited by AlligatorDundee on 12/2/2012 at 8:23 AM

    signature image

    When Tallahassee is ashes, you have my permission to die

    AlligatorDundee

  • AlligatorDundee said...

    Do any of you believe there's a better defense in the country than Florida's? If so, why?

    I don't think anyone ever doubted they were one of the best, if not the best. The problem is and has been since since 2009 the offense is bad.

    Even during the Brantley years, that defense paid for the offensive issues. This year, the offense just didn't hurt them as much, but they still didn't help them too often.

    Not sure who all is back and what you lose off the top of my head, but if Driskel can develop more as a passer, team will be tough next year on both sides.

    When you watch Florida and Texas, you can really see what the difference is, IMO. Muschamp is a great coach. He got forced to make the OC hire for last season and you guys are fortunate that it got corrected so quickly.

    BetterOff

  • I think UF has the best defense in the country. Alabama's ranks high statistically, but I think UF has a better Dline.

    I think Bama lacks an elite pass rusher to be considered the best. And I think ND has a good defense, but their rankings are partially a product of playing some really bad offenses.

    bamagrad03

  • BetterOff said...

    I don't think anyone ever doubted they were one of the best, if not the best. The problem is and has been since since 2009 the offense is bad.

    Even during the Brantley years, that defense paid for the offensive issues. This year, the offense just didn't hurt them as much, but they still didn't help them too often.

    Not sure who all is back and what you lose off the top of my head, but if Driskel can develop more as a passer, team will be tough next year on both sides.

    When you watch Florida and Texas, you can really see what the difference is, IMO. Muschamp is a great coach. He got forced to make the OC hire for last season and you guys are fortunate that it got corrected so quickly.

    Good points, BetterOff.

    The one game that the offense truly effed us was the Georgia game with the six turnovers. And we all know the results of that game.

    The one thing I believe our D was truly missing this year was an elite pass rusher like Clowney or Jarvis Jones. And Ronald Powell was poised to be just that before he wrecked his knee.

    As of today, of the JRs eligible to go pro, Sharrif Floyd is the only lock. Easley is coming back. Jelani Jenkins is coming back. It's believed if Matt Elam is graded in the top 20, that's he's coming back.

    So next years's starters probably project like this:

    SSDE- Jon Bullard
    3T- Dom Easley
    1T- Jarran Reed
    Buck- Ronald Powell

    Will- Neiron Ball
    Mike- Jelani Jenkins
    Sam- Antonio Morrison

    CB- Jaylen Watkins
    S- Pop Saunders
    S- Marcell Harris
    CB- Marcus Roberson

    Key reserves: Dante Fowler Jr, Brian Poole Jr, L. Purifoy, Darius Cummings, Leon Orr, Caleb Brantley, Daniel McMillian, Jabari Gorman

    On the offensive side, we lose Gillislee and possibly Jordan Reed. And seniors, Frankie Hammond and Xavier Nixon. The offensive line will, IMO, be heads and shoulders better this year than last. We're gonna need a WR or two to step up. Dunbar may. Would be nice to have Cooper but that's another story. Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane will carry the ball. Driskel's progression will be dependent on these components. He's got the tools. It's just all in his head. Plus, it'll be his second year in Pease's system so that's gonna be big for him.

    signature image

    When Tallahassee is ashes, you have my permission to die

    AlligatorDundee

  • AlligatorDundee said...

    Good points, BetterOff.

    The one game that the offense truly effed us was the Georgia game with the six turnovers. And we all know the results of that game.

    The one thing I believe our D was truly missing this year was an elite pass rusher like Clowney or Jarvis Jones. And Ronald Powell was poised to be just that before he wrecked his knee.

    As of today, of the JRs eligible to go pro, Sharrif Floyd is the only lock. Easley is coming back. Jelani Jenkins is coming back. It's believed if Matt Elam is graded in the top 20, that's he's coming back.

    So next years's starters probably project like this:

    SSDE- Jon Bullard 3T- Dom Easley 1T- Jarran Reed Buck- Ronald Powell

    Will- Neiron Ball Mike- Jelani Jenkins Sam- Antonio Morrison

    CB- Jaylen Watkins S- Pop Saunders S- Marcell Harris CB- Marcus Roberson

    Key reserves: Dante Fowler Jr, Brian Poole Jr, L. Purifoy, Darius Cummings, Leon Orr, Caleb Brantley, Daniel McMillian, Jabari Gorman

    On the offensive side, we lose Gillislee and possibly Jordan Reed. And seniors, Frankie Hammond and Xavier Nixon. The offensive line will, IMO, be heads and shoulders better this year than last. We're gonna need a WR or two to step up. Dunbar may. Would be nice to have Cooper but that's another story. Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane will carry the ball. Driskel's progression will be dependent on these components. He's got the tools. It's just all in his head. Plus, it'll be his second year in Pease's system so that's gonna be big for him.

    Losing Elam hurts just as much as getting Powell back if he is able to be the guy everyone's thought he can be.

    No reason the defense can't be another top 5 unit overall though. Like you said, finding the WRs and obviously replacing Gillislee will be key, although I think the RB position at UF is deeper than most think.

    Should be interesting to see. Muschamp is doing a great job.

    BetterOff

  • bamagrad03 said...

    I think UF has the best defense in the country. Alabama's ranks high statistically, but I think UF has a better Dline.

    I think Bama lacks an elite pass rusher to be considered the best. And I think ND has a good defense, but their rankings are partially a product of playing some really bad offenses.

    The BCS championship game will go a long way in determining how good ND's defense is in my eyes. If they shut down Lacy/Yeldon/Cooper, I have no choice but to give them their just dues.

    signature image

    When Tallahassee is ashes, you have my permission to die

    AlligatorDundee

  • AlligatorDundee said...

    The BCS championship game will go a long way in determining how good ND's defense is in my eyes. If they shut down Lacy/Yeldon/Cooper, I have no choice but to give them their just dues.

    They deserve to be in the natty game for sure. I don't think they can beat us when you give Saban 5-6 weeks to prepare and get his players healthy, but I'm a Bama fan so no shocker right? We are going to figure out just how good ND's front seven really is on January 7th. I'm looking forward to it. If they beat us then I will eat my crow and give credit where it is due.

    ND better recognize that they are going to play a physical team like they haven't come close to seeing this year.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RATT

  • bamagrad03 said...

    I think UF has the best defense in the country. Alabama's ranks high statistically, but I think UF has a better Dline.

    I think Bama lacks an elite pass rusher to be considered the best. And I think ND has a good defense, but their rankings are partially a product of playing some really bad offenses.

    It's funny you say that - three of the teams that put up the most points on UF were outside the SEC

    Florida Football - Gators News, Scores, Videos - College Football - ESPN

    Florida Gators football scores, news, schedule, players, stats, photos, rumors, and video highlights on ESPN.com.

    espn.go.com

    Leppycole

  • Leppy if you really want to throw a measuring stick out there look at us vs. Michigan on a neutral field and ND against Michigan at home.

    Lest we forget that our second and third stringers were playing in the fourth quarter.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RATT

  • Leppycole said...

    It's funny you say that - three of the teams that put up the most points on UF were outside the SEC

    UF: Only 45 missed tackles this season
    Only 10 plays of 25+ yds allowed
    Only defense in the nation that didn't allow a rush of 25+ yds.

    CRgator1

  • I personally think that UF has the best defense in the country this year. I would say that Bama had it until the LSU game. Since that game we have just fvcking blown on getting teams off the field on 3rd down, and usually they have been third down and long situations.

    You won't hear me complaining about anyone claiming UF to have the best D in the country.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RATT

  • bamagrad03 said...

    And I think ND has a good defense, but their rankings are partially a product of playing some really bad offenses.

    I'm not sure how you can say ND was a byproduct of shvt offence when bama plays essentially a 1 game schedule + SECCG. There aren't any great offences in the SEC - bama's stats have been a byproduct of that. Half of bama's schedule comes down to stopping the run (which we excel at) because half of the QBs in the SEC can't throw a forward pass.

    Its not a surprise that TAMU excelled in its first year, no one has seen an offence with that much confidence in their QB. What will be intersting to see is if the SEC defenses can start to develop and shut down that offense on a consistent bases, because that will make them much more well rounded (and dangerous for OOC play).

    Btw I'm a bama - just not a blatant homer.

    signature image signature image signature image

    agourlay

  • BetterOff said...

    Losing Elam hurts just as much as getting Powell back if he is able to be the guy everyone's thought he can be.

    No reason the defense can't be another top 5 unit overall though. Like you said, finding the WRs and obviously replacing Gillislee will be key, although I think the RB position at UF is deeper than most think.

    Should be interesting to see. Muschamp is doing a great job.

    I'm confused--so Meyer left the cupboard bare when he left, he didn't leave it bare? I guess the argument changes with the record, eh Gatorn fans?

    Fatarat

  • Fatarat said...

    I'm confused--so Meyer left the cupboard bare when he left, he didn't leave it bare? I guess the argument changes with the record, eh Gatorn fans?

    He didn't exactly leave it full on the offensive side of the ball. Not to mention Muschamp had to cull out all of the bad attitudes.

    I personally like Meyer and appreciate what he did for our program. Still not a fan of how he left things.

    Aussie ●

  • This might help.

    cfbstats.com - 2012 National Team Leaders

    http://www.cfbstats.com/2012/leader/national/team/defense/split22/category10/sort01.html

    www.cfbstats.com
    signature image signature image signature image

    DrStache

  • Fatarat said...

    I'm confused--so Meyer left the cupboard bare when he left, he didn't leave it bare? I guess the argument changes with the record, eh Gatorn fans?

    Have you watched UF's offense since 2009? Not exactly stacked with talent.

    Muschamp deserves all the credit for changing the culture and getting Florida back to playing tough football, IMO.

    Not a Gator fan, BTW.

    BetterOff

  • BetterOff said...

    Have you watched UF's offense since 2009? Not exactly stacked with talent.

    Muschamp deserves all the credit for changing the culture and getting Florida back to playing tough football, IMO.

    Not a Gator fan, BTW.

    Florida has never had a culture of toughness. That's why they were so good. Most people only cared about their fun and gun air attack and gave little respect to their running game and defense which they were great at while Spurrier was there.

    This post was edited by DrStache on 12/2/2012 at 10:39 AM

    signature image signature image signature image

    DrStache

  • Fatarat said...

    I'm confused--so Meyer left the cupboard bare when he left, he didn't leave it bare? I guess the argument changes with the record, eh Gatorn fans?

    No one said our D talent wasn't there, but you haven't been watching if you think the offensive cupboard is anything but bare still to this day.

    signature image signature image

    Slevin

  • Mr.Stache said...

    This might help.

    Colorado State best defense in the nation bow

    signature image

    Rabid

  • RATT said...

    They deserve to be in the natty game for sure. I don't think they can beat us when you give Saban 5-6 weeks to prepare and get his players healthy, but I'm a Bama fan so no shocker right? We are going to figure out just how good ND's front seven really is on January 7th. I'm looking forward to it. If they beat us then I will eat my crow and give credit where it is due.

    ND better recognize that they are going to play a physical team like they haven't come close to seeing this year.

    Stanford's physicality isn't that far below Alabama's, especially on D.

    signature image

    star69 ●

  • star69 said...

    Stanford's physicality isn't that far below Alabama's, especially on D.

    You very well may be right. I would love to hear from some of the Michigan players on how we compare in that department.

    signature image signature image signature image

    RATT

  • AlligatorDundee said...

    Good points, BetterOff.

    The one game that the offense truly effed us was the Georgia game with the six turnovers. And we all know the results of that game.

    The one thing I believe our D was truly missing this year was an elite pass rusher like Clowney or Jarvis Jones. And Ronald Powell was poised to be just that before he wrecked his knee.

    As of today, of the JRs eligible to go pro, Sharrif Floyd is the only lock. Easley is coming back. Jelani Jenkins is coming back. It's believed if Matt Elam is graded in the top 20, that's he's coming back.

    So next years's starters probably project like this:

    SSDE- Jon Bullard
    3T- Dom Easley
    1T- Jarran Reed
    Buck- Ronald Powell

    Will- Neiron Ball
    Mike- Jelani Jenkins
    Sam- Antonio Morrison

    CB- Jaylen Watkins
    S- Pop Saunders
    S- Marcell Harris
    CB- Marcus Roberson

    Key reserves: Dante Fowler Jr, Brian Poole Jr, L. Purifoy, Darius Cummings, Leon Orr, Caleb Brantley, Daniel McMillian, Jabari Gorman

    On the offensive side, we lose Gillislee and possibly Jordan Reed. And seniors, Frankie Hammond and Xavier Nixon. The offensive line will, IMO, be heads and shoulders better this year than last. We're gonna need a WR or two to step up. Dunbar may. Would be nice to have Cooper but that's another story. Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Adam Lane will carry the ball. Driskel's progression will be dependent on these components. He's got the tools. It's just all in his head. Plus, it'll be his second year in Pease's system so that's gonna be big for him.

    + Purifoy

    signature image signature image signature image

    shortcbaseballa

  • i think my gamecocks defense is just as good as florida's

    the gainesville was ridiculous for us

    first half UF had 21 points on 29 yards and 2 first downs

    (3 fumbles, including 2 on kick returns; 2 UF drives started on the USC 1 yard line and they still needed 3 downs)

    we were also on the road for 2nd week in a row after a night game at LSU and were a little banged up

    look how we shut down georgia and clemson

    Bom274

  • AlligatorDundee said...

    Do any of you believe there's a better defense in the country than Florida's? If so, why?

    No.

    signature image signature image signature image

    Thanks & Gig 'Em - Dzhek Kasl " #1086, One of the original Aggies to join."

    Dzhek Kasl

  • Bom274 said...

    i think my gamecocks defense is just as good as florida's

    the gainesville was ridiculous for us

    first half UF had 21 points on 29 yards and 2 first downs

    (3 fumbles, including 2 on kick returns; 2 UF drives started on the USC 1 yard line and they still needed 3 downs)

    we were also on the road for 2nd week in a row after a night game at LSU and were a little banged up

    look how we shut down georgia and clemson

    That was a wild one. Didn't Florida have less than 250 total yards in that game?

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    RATT

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