GAINESVILLE, Fla. – You knew at some point on Monday during Gator head coach Dan Mullen's press conference that the subject of the Florida-Colorado State game would be broached.
More specifically, why this game is happening on Saturday afternoon (4 p.m., SEC Network) at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
Unless you have been lost at sea or wandering blindfolded through the Amazon rainforest the past four years, you know the matchup was part of the buyout Florida paid to hire Jim McElwain as its head coach in December 2014.
Back then, no one expected McElwain to be receivers coach at Michigan by the time the Gators and Rams met. However, sometimes the future has a way of wrecking visions from the past.
"I know the game was kind of scheduled through [McElwain] in a way," receiver Josh Hammond. "I don't think it makes a difference. Just another team that we gotta go out and compete and be ready to play."
While Hammond downplayed the matchup's origin, others went all in on the oddity of the game's birth.
Regardless of why they are playing, Mullen is more concerned about his team's response following last week's 27-16 loss to Kentucky than the backstory of this week's game.
He is also concerned about the Rams.
"Colorado State is going to be an interesting challenge for us,'' he said. "They have some very good skill players offensively that can put up big numbers. No matter how the scenario plays out, it's a four-quarter game against this team."
Arkansas learned that lesson in difficult fashion last week, blowing an 18-point lead in a 34-27 loss.
The Gators spent the week preparing by looking inward, especially after getting run over and around in their first loss to Kentucky since 1986. Two games into his tenure, Mullen seeks a win to build around for the future, not a loss that drums up the past.
To get there, he needs help. They will be the ones wearing helmets on Saturday.
"I think we have a long way to go in leadership right now,'' he said. "Part of that is the guys are trying to learn what we expect of them."
In this week's edition of The Opening Kickoff, here is a closer look at the Florida-Colorado State matchup:
THREE QUESTIONS WITH … GATORS DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JACHAI POLITE
Q:What is the key to avoiding another lackluster defensive performance? Polite A: It really starts with our practices. We have to practice harder and take it more seriously. We've been laid back, not going hard, but that's all out the window now.
Q:What are your thoughts on the possible return of Cece Jefferson?
A: We need him. We really do. We need Cece a lot. He's a leader on our team. He's a senior, most experienced, been through a lot. He just knows what to do.
Q:How do the defensive linemen avoid not cheating and taking the wrong gaps?
A: It's more a mental thing because they know what to do. But when you're tired, things happen. But they just have to break that barrier of saying they're tired so they can't do something. That's getting fixed, too.
THREE STORYLINES
How will the Gators respond following the historic loss to Kentucky, snapping their 31-game win streak over the Wildcats? It was Florida's first loss in an SEC opener since 2004 and dampened an otherwise positive start under first-year head coach Dan Mullen, who questioned his team's toughness afterward.
The potential return of junior linebacker David Reese and senior defensive lineman Cece Jefferson could provide a boost to a UF defense that missed 20 tackles – resulting in 168 additional yards – against Kentucky. Reese led the team in tackles last season and Jefferson had the most tackles for loss.
Colorado State is ranked 116th in the country in scoring defense, surrendering an average of 38.3 points a game. As the Gators continue to adjust to Mullen's offensive system, the Rams provide an opportunity for the offense to regain its balance following the inconsistent performance last week.
THREE PLAYERS TO WATCH
UF running back Jordan Scarlett has averaged only 3.8 yards on 13 carries and enters the game fifth on the team in rushing. Expected to be the team's primary workhorse, Scarlett has yet to find a rhythm and it will be interesting in how the offense distributes carries.
Rams quarterback K.J. Carta-Samuels ranks fifth in the FBS in passing, averaging 367.3 yards per game. A graduate transfer from Washington, Carta-Samuels set a school record with 537 yards in his debut, a 43-34 loss to Hawaii. He was 22 of 27 for 291 yards and two touchdowns in the second half of last week's comeback win against Arkansas.
The Gators suffered a blow when starting cornerback Marco Wilson was lost for the season due to a knee injury early in the first quarter against Kentucky. True freshman Trey Dean is slated to replace Wilson in the lineup and is expected to be tested by the Rams' prolific passing attack.
THREE DIGITS
17 –Consecutive wins for the Gators against first-time opponents. Florida's last loss to a first-time opponent was a 38-30 setback to Michigan in the 2003 Outback Bowl.
7 – Touchdown passes for Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks in two games, only two shy of his total in 11 games a season ago.
195 –Yards for Colorado State's offense in fourth quarter of comeback win over Arkansas.
"I've been on teams where it's sometimes easier to teach after a loss and sometimes it's easier to teach after a win. As the program learns to deal with that, I want to see how fast this team learns to deal with it." – Dan Mullen on whether lessons resonate more following a loss
"These guys have got to understand every little inch, every little detail matters, and that's what's gonna make you mentally tough. And once you understand that, then you can adjust physically to get it done.'' – Gators receivers coach Billy Gonzales on becoming more physical
"He's developed more of a composure in a huddle; more of an intensity. He comes in the huddle and gets everybody's attention and just really tells us what we got to do each play and then when he is play-calling different looks, I feel like he got better at that and understanding each look on every coverage.'' – Gators offensive lineman Fred Johnson on quarterback Feleipe Franks
"There's a lot more sense of urgency. I feel like we're practicing a lot harder and stepping up to the challenge, and it's showing.'' Gators safety Jeawon Taylor on practice approach after loss to Kentucky
"That was all part of the gig. I'm excited about it. I know that they've got really good players and they'll come and in and beat our tail when that time is." – Jim McElwain in August 2015 when UF-Colorado State game was announced (via ESPN.com)
This game marks the eighth in school history against a program currently a member of the Mountain West Conference. A look at the results:
SCHOOL
SEASON
RESULT
Air Force
1968
W 23-20 (at Tampa)
Hawaii
2008
W 56-10
New Mexico
1989
W 27-21
San Jose State
1991
W 59-21
San Jose State
2003
W 65-3
Wyoming
1951
W 13-0 (at Jacksonville)
Wyoming
2005
W 32-14
Colorado State
2018
TBD
NEWS, NOTES, NUGGETS
Florida is 7-0 all-time against teams currently in the Mountain West Conference.
Colorado State is 3-12 all-time against current members of the Southeastern Conference, its last win prior to a week ago against Arkansas coming in the 1997 Holiday Bowl against Missouri when the Tigers were in the Big 12.
Colorado State is 22-20 since Mike Bobo replaced Jim McElwain; Florida is 24-16 over that span.
Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks has thrown multiple touchdown passes in four consecutive games, the longest streak for a UF quarterback since Tim Tebow's 10-game streak in 2008.
This is Colorado State's first game in the state of Florida since Sept. 21, 1974, when the Rams won at Florida State, 14-7.
Gators receivers coach/co-offensive coordinator Billy Gonzales played at Colorado State from 1989-92 and was a two-year starter.
Florida tight end C'yontai Lewis has started 24 consecutive games, the longest streak on the team. Next are offensive lineman Martez Ivey and defensive back Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, who each have 13-game streaks.
CSU sophomore defensive end Emmanuel Jones had an interception that led to a field goal and a sack to set up the game-winning drive against Arkansas.
Gators defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is familiar with Rams head coach Bobo. Grantham was Georgia's defensive coordinator and Bobo the offensive coordinator on former Bulldogs coach MarkRicht's staff from 2010-13.
The Gators lead the SEC in pass defense (77 yards per game), rank last in rush defense (262.5 ypg) and are 10th overall (339.5 ypg) after two games.
THE OTHER SIDE
Mike Bobo played at Georgia and then served as a Bulldogs assistant for 14 years prior to taking over the Rams in 2015.
This is Bobo's first game at Florida Field since Oct. 29, 1994, a night that Florida hammered Georgia 52-14 for its largest-margin of victory in the rivalry at that time. A freshman quarterback, Bobo replaced Georgia starter Eric Zeier in the fourth quarter.
Bobo didn't throw a pass, but he received a rude greeting -- and not just from the home fans in the rare Florida-Georgia game at Florida Field -- when UF defensive linemen Mark Campbell and Kevin Carter sacked him late in the game.
For Gators fans in need of a pick-me-up after last week's loss to Kentucky, check out the video below. If you want to go straight to Bobo's Swamp memory, fast forward to the 12-minute, 14-second mark:
BOTTOM LINE
This is a tricky game for the Gators. They need to rebound with a good performance after the disappointment again Kentucky. The Rams appeared on the way to a 0-3 start before overcoming an 18-point deficit in the second half to knock off the Razorbacks. The guess here is that Florida's defense is going to play much better and the offense will move the ball against the Rams. If that combination comes to fruition, the Gators should be fine. If not, could be a long week before heading to Knoxville to face the Volunteers.
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