Published September 14, 2012 - 1:20pm
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Here are five must-watch players for tomorrow:
1. QB Tyler Bray, Tennessee: Bray leads the SEC in passing yardage (634) and completion percentage (73.8) and is tied for the lead in touchdowns (6). He’s a different player than he was last year and looks like he’s matured. He boasts the biggest arm in the SEC, and maybe the strongest arm in all of college football. Show me someone whose arm is stronger. Tennessee wants to strike against Florida quickly, just like they’ve done the entire season so far. Florida will look to make Tennessee sustain longer drives, which means shorter passes and more of a running game. As long as Bray sets his feet in the pocket and has time, he’ll throw all over any defense, including the Gators.
2. RB Mike Gillislee, Florida: Gillislee is nursing an injured groin suffered last week against Texas A&M. He’ll need to tote the rock 20-plus times in order for Florida to win the game, and I’m just not sure he’s that healthy. He leads the SEC in rushing (231) and is tied for the lead in touchdowns (4). He’s the one player Florida can’t afford to lose. He’s that good. The team that has rushed for the most yardage has won 21 of the last 22 games, and Gillislee aims to win the rushing battle for the Gators. It’s the biggest reason why Florida can win.
3. QB Bo Wallace, Ole Miss: Don’t tell JUCO transfer Bo Wallace that Texas is going to win this football game. He is playing out of his mind early in the year, throwing for 438 yards and five touchdowns. He’s also 10th in the SEC in rushing (67.5 ypg) with two touchdowns. He’s a one-man offensive show in Oxford this season. If Ole Miss wants to upset #14 Texas, Wallace is going to have to dominate this game, both throwing and running. Oh how the SEC wants this to happen…except you, Mississippi State fan.
4. RB Knile Davis, Arkansas: With Tyler Wilson likely out, running back Knile Davis becomes that much more important. He was hyped in preseason for the Heisman, but he has been clearly underused through two weeks…maybe he’s not 100 percent healthy. If Arkansas wants to upset Alabama without its star quarterback, Davis is going to have to dominate on the ground. I’m not sure that’s possible without Wilson, but if Arkansas wins, Knile Davis has a big game.
5. DB Marcus Roberson, Florida: With Tennessee’s dynamic duo at wide receiver in Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson, the Florida corners will be in the spotlight. There’s no way you can double both guys, and Florida’s best cover corner is Roberson. He could be on an island some for the Gators against one of the two receivers. But the good thing for Florida is that Roberson is bigger at 6-0, and he has some length to defend the taller receiver. He’ll have to be fantastic if the Gators want to come out a winner in Knoxville.
Poor Knile Davis. You know the Alabama defense is gonna load up to stop him. I’m thinking Davis’s numbers tomorrow are something along the lines of 15 carries, 38 yards.
Wonder how many 12 oz. fades Bray threw to strengthen his arm? Ima say he prolly averaged a six pack a day when he was injured. Accuracy…well that’s a different story.
You’re right. Bray can’t be very accurate….he only completes over 70 percent of his passes so far this year….
#3.. I cracked up at the MSU reference… HAIL STATE!
Love to see Knile break it out tomorrow & show the jets that I know he has. If the O-line can actually open up some holes for him & PROTECT THE QB, we could have a good shot at some offensive production. Now, the Defense, that’s a completely different story. Way too many holes to fill on that side.