Carter's Corner: Gators Corners vs. Eason a Fun Matchup
Wednesday, October 26, 2016 | Football, Scott Carter
The Florida-Georgia game is Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on CBS.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – The Gators lead the SEC in three major defensive categories heading into Saturday's game against Georgia in Jacksonville: scoring defense (12.0 points per game), passing defense (132.8 yards per game) and total defense (252.5 yards per game).
While Georgia certainly features a dangerous rushing attack in Nick Chubb (83.7 ypg), Sony Michel (59.7) and freshman Brian Herrien (56.8), the matchup that has really drawn my interest is UF's secondary against Georgia's receivers and quarterback Jacob Eason.
The Gators recruited Eason hard prior to his commitment to Georgia and it's no secret why.
Here is what Florida coach Jim McElwain had to say Monday about the 6-foot-5, 235-pound freshman from Lake Stevens, Wash.: "This guy, in my opinion, he's the future of the SEC. He's that good. His ability to push the ball down the field is something that is very impressive."
In just his fifth college game, Eason made as good a deep throw as you'll see all season in Georgia's 34-31 home loss to Tennessee on Oct. 1. Trailing by four with 19 seconds left, Eason took a snap out of the shotgun, avoided the rush by stepping up in the pocket, and fired a spiral deep down field for a 47-yard scoring strike to Riley Ridley.
Sanford Stadium went bonkers as the Bulldogs took the lead with 10 seconds left. You know what happened next – Tennessee Hail Mary – but Eason's throw showcased why McElwain and others marvel at his talent.
"Jacob extended the play and they got stretched out [Tennessee's defense],'' Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said afterward. "His arm gives him the ability to make that throw that a lot of guys can't make."
In seven games (six starts), Eason has thrown for 1,366 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions for the 4-3 Bulldogs, who are 2-3 in the conference. He takes a lot of shots downfield, which is partly why his completion percentage (54.3 percent) is not higher.
Eason had his best game statistically in Georgia's last game, a 17-16 homecoming loss to Vanderbilt. He completed 27 of 40 passes for a career-high 346 yards with a touchdown and interception.
While Eason will merit a lot of discussion on the CBS broadcast of Saturday's game – mostly because of his talent and partly due to his flirtation with the Gators on the recruiting trail – so will Florida's secondary.
If Florida cornerbacks Teez Tabor and Quincy Wilson, and safety Marcus Maye had been among the 16 midseason semifinalists for the Jim Thorpe Award announced Monday, few would have paid much attention.
But the fact they were absent – most notably Tabor and Wilson – caused a stir among the media and fans who prefer accountability for those who dish out annual postseason awards. In this case, the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame, the organization that administers the Jim Thorpe Award to honor the nation's top defensive back each season, came under fire.
Organizers of Thorpe Award deem 16 DBs better than #Gators @dc_wilson954, @_31Flavorz & @alldayMAYE: https://t.co/qTU7jHgdr7 pic.twitter.com/8S7rttqbpP
— Edgar Thompson (@osgators) October 24, 2016
Asked his thoughts, McElwain sounded confused like many others.
"I don't know who makes those lists,'' he said. "But I'll put those two up against anybody in the country, as anybody else will."
The three finalists for the Thorpe Award will be named Nov. 22 and because Tabor, Wilson and Maye didn't appear on the list of semifinalists doesn't mean they can't earn a spot among the final trio.
A big game on Saturday against Eason and the Bulldogs on national television would certainly boost their chances.
Going back to the matchup, it will be interesting to see what kind of game plan Georgia offensive coordinator Jim Cheney devises for Eason against UF's pass defense, which ranks second in the nation behind Michigan (111.0 ypg).
The Gators and Wolverines, who open next season against each other in Arlington, Texas, are the only two schools in the country to hold four FBS opponents to less than 125 yards passing this season.
And yes, the Wolverines have two players among the 16 Thorpe Award finalists: senior cornerback Jourdon Lewis and redshirt sophomore Jabrill Peppers, who plays a hybrid linebacker/nickel/safety role.
Both are excellent players and deserving, although Lewis missed the first three games of the season due to an injury and doesn't have as good a stat line (10 tackles, 1 interception, 3 pass break-ups) as either Tabor (10 tackles, 4 interceptions, 1 PBU) or Wilson (8 tackles, 3 PBU, three interceptions, 2 tackles-for-loss, 1 sack).
In the latest top 32 prospects for the NFL Draft according to Pro Football Focus, only two defensive backs rank ahead of Tabor, who is No. 7. Iowa's Desmond King, last season's Thorpe Award winner, is fourth, and Clemson cornerback Cordrea Tankersley is fifth.
Lewis is No. 15 and Peppers is No. 16. Wilson is mentioned among nine players on the watch list.
Maye downplayed his absence among the finalists despite 35 tackles and five passes defended.
But Tabor and Wilson?
"Wow,'' he said. "I guess you guys see it for yourselves. Jalen and Quincy, those two, you look at any other cornerback in college football, there's not many out there just like those guys."
So, there you have it.
A freshman Georgia quarterback who likes to take shots downfield and has the kind of arm coaches drool over. A Florida secondary among the best in the country and probably feeling a little slighted. Oh, and one of the college football's top rivalries.
A game – and matchup -- that definitely has my interest.
