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Can Jim McElwain jump-start stagnant Florida offense for bowl game?
By John Hollis
Published:
As any good card player knows, you can only play the hand you’ve been dealt.
That’s the situation in which Florida coach Jim McElwain again finds himself as his team prepares to face against Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on Jan. 1.
The Gators have struggled offensively while losing their past two games, including last weekend’s disappointing 29-15 SEC Championship setback against Alabama. They’ve managed just one offensive touchdown in the past eight quarters.
Reality dictates that McElwain has no choice other than to continue with struggling quarterback Treon Harris, but there may be a few tweaks that he and offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier can add that might help against the Wolverines.
Harris’ accuracy issues have been the most glaring of the offensive weaknesses that nearly cost the Gators against Vanderbilt and Florida Atlantic as well. Signed out of high school by former coach Will Muschamp to run a spread offense, Harris has struggled to fit into McElwain’s preferred pro-style attack.
He holds onto the football for too long and fails to consistently hit open receivers when he does let it fly downfield.
McElwain continues to stay positive, however, and make the most of what he has available. He has no other choice.
“You knew there were going to be deficiencies here and there,” he told reporters following Saturday’s loss.
Harris completed just 9 of 24 attempts for 165 yards. He threw a late jump ball touchdown and also an interception against the Crimson Tide. The bulk of his yards came on two 46-yard completions, including the final one to C.J. Worton.
“He missed some plays, but he competed his tail off and he was in it,” McElwain said. “He never looked rattled. Treon Harris, he’s our quarterback and I’m proud of him.”
Harris, however, isn’t all to blame. A ragtag offensive line that was the source of much concern to start the season has grossly underachieved as of late, yielding five sacks against Alabama and countless other pressures of Harris.
With no credible passing game to worry about, the Crimson Tide focused exclusively on stuffing the running game, limiting the Gators to 15 yards rushing on 21 carries and just 180 yards of total offense overall.
“You could feel the frustration everybody had in their body language,” Harris said following the game.
Things won’t get that much better against a stiff Wolverines defense that ranks fourth in total defense (281.3 ypg.), third in pass defense (158.8 ypg.), 10th in scoring defense (17.2 ppg.) and 18th in rush defense (122.58 ypg.).
But there are a few things McElwain can do against Michigan that he dared not try against Alabama.
Expect the Gators to take more shots downfield to Antonio Callaway and to try to find tight end Jake McGee across the middle more often than they did at the Georgia Dome last weekend.
Alabama’s front seven is easily the best in the nation and McElwain knew all too well that his quarterback’s protection would not have held up long enough against the Crimson Tide for those plays to develop.
The Wolverines are hardly pushovers, but they aren’t a Who’s Who of future starting NFL talent either.
We’ll probably also see more designed quarterback runs that will not only take advantage of Harris’ many athletic skills, but also temper an opposing pass rush.
Establishing some sort of running game and staying ahead in down and distance situations will be imperative. The Gators aren’t good enough offensively to withstand negative plays. They had too many on first and second downs last weekend, explaining their 0-for-11 third-down conversion rate.
McElwain didn’t wince words when talking after the game about the dire need to go out and recruit more playmakers on offense.
They just can’t get to Gainesville soon enough.
John Hollis is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers Georgia and Florida.
