Florida-FAU Preview: 10 things to keep an eye on in Saturday's season opener
Saturday, September 3, 2011 | Football, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – This is what we've all been waiting for since the final second ticked off the clock on New Year's Day at the Outback Bowl.
That is when reality set in. Urban Meyer was really leaving.
The scene at Raymond James Stadium on that sunny Tampa afternoon clearly told us that. There was Meyer receiving congratulatory hugs from his players, his wife and daughters in the final moments of Florida's win over Penn State, ending his highly successful six-year run as head coach of the Gators.
In a private suite above the field, Will Muschamp watched the Gators cap a roller-coaster season with an emotional win. Once the Gators returned to Gainesville, they were suddenly Muschamp's team.
And on Saturday night before a packed house at The Swamp, the 40-year-old Muschamp finally makes his debut. His Gators debut and his head-coaching debut rolled all into one.
How does he expect to feel when the time finally arrives?
“I'm excited about it, but more than anything, it's to just focus on the task at hand,'' Muschamp said. “It's coaching well, it's making good decisions for your football team, preparing well during the week.
“I'm not nervous. I'm anxious. I think that's more of a better word.''
Muschamp will have plenty of company in that regard. Florida fans want to see what the revamped Gators look like after an offseason of mystery.
With the 2011 season upon us, here is a look at 10 things to keep an eye on Saturday night against FAU:
THE GATORS' NEW OFFENSE
Muschamp is a defensive coach, but as we all know, the Gators love offense. That's why he went out and hired offensive coordinator Charlie Weis once he took over the program. Weis is considered one of the best offensive minds in the game and immediately installed a pro-style attack much more suited for senior quarterback John Brantley. The Gators want to come out and march down the field regularly – and do it crisply – in the first game of the Muschamp Era. Weis said to expect the playbook to remain simple at first and grow as the season progresses.
BRANTLEY'S COMPOSURE
By the end of last season it was apparent that Brantley needed a break to heal his wounded confidence and start fresh with a new offense. Since resurfacing this preseason, Brantley has looked and sounded more confident than at any time last season. With only one season remaining, the 2006 Gatorade National Player of the Year will try to pass his final test in a Gators uniform.
A SWAGGER AT THE SWAMP
The Gators lost three of their final four home games a year ago, including a deflating loss to South Carolina in November with the SEC East title on the line. With a new coaching staff in place, the Gators want to get back to their old ways and take back The Swamp.
THE THREE ON D
The trio of defensive linemen Ronald Powell, Dominique Easley and Sharrif Floyd stepped on campus a year ago loaded with talent but lacking on experience. It showed as the trio had trouble with consistency and staying on the field. With all three expected to start as sophomores, it's critical that they produce for Florida's defense to be on top of its game.
YOUTHFUL SECONDARY
The Gators could start a pair of true freshmen in the secondary on opening day, something they have never done. If cornerback Marcus Roberson and safety De'Ante “Pop” Saunders start against FAU – both were in the running during practice this week – the Gators are certain to have one of the nation's youngest secondaries.
SHUTTING DOWN MORRIS
With quarterback Graham Gilbert making his first start for the Owls, senior running back Alfred Morris is FAU's most dangerous weapon on offense and a player Muschamp knows well. Morris rushed for 928 yards last season and racked up 80 yards in FAU's 51-17 loss at Texas, where Muschamp served as defensive coordinator the past three seasons. While Weis' offense has received ample attention, new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's defense is much different than what the Gators ran a year ago. Quinn is a master tactician according to the players and they have bought into his more complex schemes.
OFFENSIVE LINE BONDING
One of the big question marks going into camp was how the offensive line would come together. According to the depth chart, Xavier Nixon (LT), Dan Wenger (LG), Jonotthan Harrison (C), Jon Halapio (RG) and Matt Patchan (RT) will line up together to start the season. For Weis' pro-style offense to click, the line needs to do its part so Brantley can find a rhythm in the passing game.
RAINEY AND DEMPS
Weis loves to use the running backs in a variety of ways, and he has two of the fastest in the nation in tailbacks Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps. Weis calls them “co-starters” because they offer such similar skills. They can run, they can catch, and once they get in the open field, they are usually gone. Look for Rainey and Demps to get plenty of touches against the Owls.
CHANGING PLACES
Two players Florida fans know well are Trey Burton and Jordan Reed. Both were part of a three-man quarterback rotation with Brantley for much of last season, but once Muschamp took over, Reed was moved to tight end full-time and Burton into a hybrid fullback/H-back role. Regardless of where they line up, look for Burton and Reed to be major contributors.
A GATORS WIN
The buzz is always ramped up for the season opener, and adding a new coaching staff only adds to the excitement. Meanwhile, the Owls finished 4-8 last season and many say another losing season could be in store for FAU in the final season for 77-year-old head coach Howard Schnellenberger. One of Schnellenberger's signature wins was a 31-7 victory over the Gators in 1980 in which he ordered a late field goal as retribution for Florida fans pelting his Hurricanes with oranges. Schnellenberger's Owls expected to get pelted on the field in this one, but at least they'll be paid well for the trip.
GATOR GAMEBOX
Florida Atlantic at Florida
Kickoff: Saturday, 7 p.m. (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium)
2010 Records: FAU 4-8; Florida 8-5
TV: ESPNU
Radio: Gator IMG Sports Network (click here for affiliates); SiriusXM 205
Bottom line: The Gators haven't lost a season opener since 1989 and that streak isn't expected to be challenged on Saturday, which should allow Muschamp to go to bed sometime early Sunday morning with his first victory in the record books.
