After opening SEC play with a bang, the Gators hope to carry that momentum into a Week 3 tilt with … North Texas (1-1).
The Mean Green from Conference-USA lost 34-21 to SMU in Week 1 and picked up a 41-20 win over FCS opponent Bethune-Cookman last Saturday.
It should be an easy W for coach Jim McElwain’s squad, reflected in the betting line showing Florida favored by 36 points. A couple of SEC teams (Georgia, Mississippi State), however, are well aware that cupcake games don’t always go as planned.
While the 45-7 win over Kentucky was impressive, it wasn’t error-free. UF will be looking to work on a few things against the squad from the Lone Star State.
Here’s a position-by-position breakdown of what to expect in Florida’s tuneup before traveling to Knoxville:
When Florida has the ball
UF QB Luke Del Rio vs. UNT pass defense: Del Rio is coming off the first 300-yard passing game by a Florida quarterback since 2013 (Tyler Murphy vs. Vanderbilt). While the completion numbers could be better (19-of-32), the Gators finally got the vertical passing game going. The highlight of Del Rio’s four-touchdown performance was a 78-yard deep ball to Antonio Callaway.
Against SMU, the Mean Green was highly vulnerable to the big play. While the Mustangs completed only 13 passes, they passed for 300 yards.
Edge: Florida
UF RB committee vs. UNT run defense: Against Kentucky, four Florida running backs combined for 238 yards and two touchdowns on 46 carries. All four should get plenty of touches again in Week 3.
Freshman Lamical Perine led all Gators with 17 carries for 106 yards, including a long run of 36 yards. McElwain has said he wants to see more long runs like that.
This might be the weekend for multiple explosive plays out of the backfield. North Texas allowed carries of 50 and 49 yards against SMU. The Mustangs ran for 272 yards on 46 rushes.
Edge: Florida
Florida receivers vs. UNT defensive backs: Florida wideouts Callaway and Brandon Powell are the only pair of SEC teammates with at least 115 receiving yards and two touchdowns apiece this year. With Callaway dealing with an injured quad, it could be Powell’s turn to anchor the receiving corps this week.
McElwain insists Callaway will play if he’s able to, even with the Tennessee showdown only a week away. If he sits, it should be a good opportunity for the other UF pass-catchers to get some more opportunities.
Even if Callaway is out, Florida should have a significant advantage over the No. 88 pass defense last season.
Edge: Florida
When Florida is on defense
UNT QB Mason Fine vs. UF pass defense: After Alabama graduate transfer Alec Morris got the start against SMU (24-of-39, 237 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT), North Texas coach Seth Littrell decided to go with Fine, a true freshman against Bethune-Cookman. Fine’s numbers from his first start (11-of-22, 108 yards) certainly won’t worry Florida’s defense.
The Gators’ pass defense could, however, be tested due to lack of familiarity with North Texas’ offense. Littrell and UNT offensive coordinator Graham Harrell both played for Air Raid innovator Mike Leach and are certainly inspired by that style of play.
Whether it’s the true freshman Fine or the turnover troubled Morris, it’s safe to say the Gators have the advantage as long as they’re not confused by the scheme.
Edge: Florida
UNT RB Jeffrey Wilson vs. UF run defense: Wilson was North Texas’ top rusher in 2015 (155 carries, 830 yards, TD) and is the team leader through Week 2 this season (29 carries, 169 yards, 3 TD).
If there was one area the Gators lacked against Kentucky it was run defense. UK RB Boom Williams notched 12 carries for 66 yards, including a long of 25 yards.
While the Gators’ numbers could be better, it’s hard to predict a C-USA back has success against an SEC defense with all of its units performing well.
Edge: Florida
UNT WR Terian Goree vs. UF defensive backs: The Mean Green is replacing its top two receivers from the 2015 squad this fall. Goree was the No. 4 pass-catcher last year, and is leading the team so far with 12 catches for 90 yards.
The top returning wideout from 2015, Turner Smiley (25 catches, 255 yards), missed the SMU game after being arrested for DWI in the offseason. He made a negligible impact in his return against Bethune-Cookman (2 catches, 4 yards).
Goree and Smiley have to go up one of the SEC’s best cornerback duos, Quincy Wilson and Teez Tabor.
Edge: Florida
Special Teams
Florida will look to see how K Eddy Pineiro responds to a 1-of-3 outing on field goals against Kentucky.
One nugget from Florida’s Monday press conference: McElwain confirmed he could have used a timeout on the last missed field goal, as a lineman was late to the field. He instead wanted to see how Pineiro handled being rushed. The newbie kicker missed badly.
If Callaway is out, the Gators will try out other punt returners. Freshman WR Freddie Swain fielded a few punts against UK, but did not show much promise.
Littrell might channel his inner Leach and go for it on fourth down frequently, as Mean Green kicker Trevor Moore was 0-of-4 from 40-plus last season. He’s 2-of-2 on field goals this year, but only from 30 yards or less.
Edge: Florida
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.
