Bowl Break: 10 Things To Keep An Eye On Before Gators Play Bowl Game
Friday, December 2, 2011 | Football
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This isn't the storyline heading into bowl season they wanted, but it's an intriguing one.
It may or may not be the bowl game they imagined when the season started, but it has the potential to garner plenty of attention.
The Gators limped off the field at 6-6 following a loss in the regular-season finale to Florida State, but they still have something to play for when their bowl destination is announced on Sunday.
Florida needs to win to preserve one of college football's most impressive active streaks: a 32nd consecutive non-losing season. (Note: A 6-6 record in 1987 is only year the Gators didn't finish with a winning record during the streak).
Gators coach Will Muschamp has one goal in mind before the bowl game.
“We need to improve,'' he said after the FSU loss. “That's what recruiting is for, and that's what bowl practice and the offseason and spring [are] for. That's what we're going to do as a program.''
Muschamp and his staff hit the road this week to recruit. They will soon return to practice in preparation for a bowl game. We'll have those questions answered on Sunday.
For now, here are 10 things to keep an eye on prior to Florida's bowl game:
FLORIDA'S HEALTH
Talk about a good time for a break.
The Gators lost several key players to injuries against FSU, including starting quarterback John Brantley (probable concussion), running back Chris Rainey (hip), defensive tackle Dominique Easley (knee), offensive lineman Kyle Koehne (knee), offensive lineman Jon Halapio (undisclosed), linebacker Darrin Kitchens (concussion) and tight end A.C. Leonard (lower body).
Tight end Jordan Reed also did not play due to a lingering ankle injury. The Gators need as many of the injured players back as they can get to be full-speed for the start of bowl practice.
BRANTLEY'S BOUNCE
Brantley has proven that when healthy he provides the Gators with their best option at quarterback.
Coming off a career-best game against Furman, Brantley had one of his worst games (three interceptions) in his final appearance at The Swamp.
Can he bounce back mentally and physically before the bowl game? The answer to that question will be crucial to Florida's bid to keep its streak of non-losing seasons alive.
BOWL OPPONENT
Most of the buzz surrounding the Gators' bowl bid has been a potential matchup with Ohio State in Jacksonville. Gator Bowl officials have talked publicly about that being a game they would love to see, although other opponents remain viable options as well.
While the Chick-fil-A Bowl appears still in play, there is no doubt that ESPN and fans prefer a Florida-Ohio State meeting in the Gator Bowl due to the added storyline of Urban Meyer taking over the Buckeyes program – less than a year after stepping down at Florida.
Ohio State has already announced that Meyer is not coaching the game, but if the game comes to fruition and Meyer is anywhere at EverBank Field watching, you can bet ESPN's cameras will find him during the telecast.
INTENSE PRACTICES
Muschamp used the word “soft'' when describing the Gators after their 21-7 loss to FSU.
He took the blame for that label and said once the team gathers to begin bowl practices, the intensity will be turned up to develop more toughness.
Muschamp stressed that the Gators have to be more physical to win regularly in the SEC.
NEW LEADERS EMERGING
For a team like the Gators, bowl season serves almost like the first half of the bridge from this season to next. That's because once the bowl game is over the identity of a team changes immediately.
Seniors say goodbye. Younger players focus on more extended roles. New leaders begin to emerge. Muschamp said he hopes to see more players begin to take ownership in the team. Bowl practice seems as good a time to start as any.
REVISES TO RUN GAME
Tweaking the offense has been a constant theme for first-year offensive coordinator Charlie Weis.
The primary reason was first, an injury to Brantley, and second, lack of a consistent running game. Even if Brantley is healthy for the bowl game, the Gators will still need a way to grind out yards on the ground.
They still have senior running backs Rainey and Jeff Demps for one more game, but don't be surprised if fullback Hunter Joyer and bigger tailbacks Mike Gillislee and Trey Burton get more carries than usual.
FEISTY OFFENSIVE LINE
Florida's offensive line has probably been scrutinized as much as any group on the team.
The unit has battled injuries, inconsistency and often bigger opponents, all taking a toll. Muschamp reiterated at the end of the season that improving on the offensive line through recruiting and building depth is a must moving forward.
For the players here now, that should provide extra incentive heading into the bowl game. After a difficult season, playing well up front would be a nice cap on a tough season.
TURNOVER TALK
Since the day he was hired, Muschamp has said turnover margin and big-play ratio are the two most important stats in his view.
The Gators made some big plays on offense but not nearly enough in creating turnovers defensively. Florida finished last in the SEC in turnover margin and it cost the Gators all season.
In the loss to FSU, the Gators threw four interceptions. The Seminoles scored all 21 of their points off turnovers. You get the point. Turnovers are as big a reason as anything for Florida's record. If the Gators can create three or more turnovers in the bowl game, their chance to finish with a winning record will increase significantly.
PROGRAM CHANGES
Meyer's hiring at Ohio State has led to speculation that perhaps linebackers/special teams coach D.J. Durkin or running backs coach Brian White might rejoin him with the Buckeyes. There are others in support roles that have ties to Meyer but were retained by Muschamp when he took over the Gators.
As of this writing Muschamp's coaching staff remains intact and is out recruiting as normal for this time of season.
RE-ENERGIZED GATORS
If the Gators do indeed face Ohio State in the Gator Bowl, the players who were in the program under Meyer should need no extra motivation.
Even if they don't face the Buckeyes, the break between the FSU game and the bowl game is one the Gators needed. It has been a difficult season for the players and coaches in Muschamp's first season as the program shifted directions.
The extra practice time will give the Gators more time to improve and the time off should help recharge them.
