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One week after the cancelled season-opener against Idaho, the Florida Gators look to kick of their season. This time, the Easter Michigan Eagles will travel to The Swamp to take on Will Muschamp and his players.
SDS makes some bold predictions for tomorrow’s game as the Gators look to get their 2014 season off to a good start.
Bold prediction #1: Gators first kickoff return goes for a TD
Hey why not, right? In the one play the Gators had last week against Idaho, Valdez Showers took a kick return 64 yards to just outside the opponent’s 10-yard line. So on their second chance to start the season off, why not take it the whole way?
Andre Debose is the team’s primary returner, but with his proven history of success at the position, many teams will probably avoid him and kick it shorter. That was the situation the Gators found themselves in last week. Whether it’s Debose, Showers or another player, it’s going to be taken to the house.
Bold prediction #2: Freshmen defensive backs combine for two interceptions
This was a prediction we made last week, but that we like again this week. Several freshmen should see time on Saturday in the secondary. Jalen Tabor, Duke Dawson, Quincy Wilson, and JC Jackson should all have several opportunities to make plays against Eastern Michigan, a team that loves to run a no-huddle, up-tempo offense. The majority of the team’s snaps go to the running backs, but if EMU is able to run anywhere neat the 86 snaps it did last week, they’ll throw the ball enough for the defensive backs to take advantage. Look for the young guns to make their presence felt in their college debuts.
Bold prediction #3: Matt Jones, Kelvin Taylor and Mack Brown combine for 150 yard rushing
We got a brief glimpse of who the starting running back was last week as Matt Jones came out onto the field for first play. Jones and Kelvin Taylor will be getting a majority of the carries, but Mack Brown should also figure into the equation. Jones, Taylor and Brown may be one of the better running back trios no one is talking about in the SEC. With all the talent they have, a 150-plus yard game from the three of them should happen to open up the season.
Drew Laing will be providing analysis and insight on Florida, Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina.
