The players didn’t ask for it, but Gators will benefit from playing LSU later
By Andrew Olson
Published:
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Following the announcement of the postponement of the Florida-LSU game, UF players have made a point on social media: The Gators weren’t “scared” to play LSU.
https://twitter.com/dc_wilson954/status/784780321346686976
We want to play, if it was the players call we would play , but we don't make the decisions. We just do as we are told
— Teez Tabor (@_31Flavorz) October 8, 2016
While it’s clear that the players weren’t lobbying AD Jeremy Foley to avoid playing the game, it’s hard to argue against the fact that the Gators will benefit from playing LSU at a later date. (Which is beginning to look more likely after Greg Sankey’s comments during the Tennessee-Texas A&M game.)
Here’s three ways that Florida will be better prepared for LSU:
1. Defensive line vs. LSU running game
The benefit here is debatable since Leonard Fournette was also injured and considered doubtful to play had the game gone on as scheduled.
Florida entered the week with the starting defensive line banged up. DE Jordan Sherit and DT Joey Ivie were definitely out, but DT Caleb Brantley and DE Bryan Cox Jr. were participating in practice and appeared to be able to go, though maybe not at 100 percent. Even with Fournette out, trying to contain LSU RB Derrius Guice would have been a tough task for a banged-up defensive line.
There’s no exact way to calculate it, but the Gators fare better with a healthy defensive line, even though Fournette will be more of a challenge to contain than Guice.
2. QB Luke Del Rio’s knee should be better
Del Rio missed the Tennessee and Vanderbilt games due to the knee injury from the North Texas game on Sept. 17. Florida never revealed an official injury diagnosis on Del Rio, so it’s hard to know how effective he would be three weeks later. He was sporting a knee brace at practice and taking part in throwing drills. UF did not allow the media to view any scrimmage portions of practice, so it’s unclear if he or Austin Appleby would have been considered the first-string quarterback.
Florida’s offense was more effective with Del Rio than Appleby. If the game is played in the coming weeks, it’s safe to assume Del Rio will be back leading the Gators. He’ll also have at least the Missouri game under his belt to shake the rust off.
3. Better focus, fewer distractions
It seemed like everyone with a Twitter account had an opinion about the SEC’s decision to postpone the game. Foley was accused of strong-arming the SEC. The Gators were accused of being afraid of LSU. A lot of people wanted to know why the game couldn’t be played on Saturday or Sunday somewhere other than Gainesville.
Overlooked by many fans – and even coaches – were the players’ families along the east coast of Florida in Hurricane Matthews’ path:
People still talking bout this game like we don't have families at the crib ?
— Caleb Brantley (@CalebBrantleyFB) October 6, 2016
Y’all, Florida has 52 players on its current roster from the PINK area on this map.
You want them to worry about a football game???? pic.twitter.com/cFwWTg3kdj
— Barrett Sallee ?? (@BarrettSallee) October 6, 2016
Players have to deal with life’s distractions every week, but it’s not every week that so many players have to worry about their families’ safety. The Gators will definitely be more focused if the game is played in the coming weeks.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
