Offense
Anyone who replaces Tim Tebow is going to be somewhat of a downgrade, but Florida probably couldn’t have found anyone better than John Brantley. This is his 4th year in Urban Meyer’s system. He’s very talented and many expect him to enter the Heisman picture if the Gators have another great season. Brantley will be without Tebow’s safety net Riley Cooper, but has plenty of talent in Deonte Thompson and Andre Debose. The key for Brantley will be to somehow replace the leadership that Tebow provided, but that will be nearly impossible.
The Gators are fine with RB as Demps and Rainey return, and Emmanuel Moody gives them a bulldoze style change of pace. Demps and Rainey are electric and can score from anywhere on the field. Demps averaged 7.6 yards carry last season, and Rainey has rushed for over 600 yards with 6.5 yards a carry. He is expected to get a lot of carries out of Percy Harvin’s old slot position. There is concern about the offensive line, but Florida was helped when Maurice Pouncey returned for his senior season. He should stablize this group.
Defense
I think this is a much bigger question mark than the loss of Tebow. Gone are sack machines Jermaine Cunnningham and Carlos Dunlap from the defensive line, and the replacements are Justin Trattou and William Green. The D-line unit has been a concern to head coach Urban Meyer, because there has been a lack of a pass rush at practice. The LB corps is highly regarded, but inexperienced. Brandon Spikes is in the NFL, and he wreaked havoc on SEC defenses last season. Also, keep in mind that Florida also loses one of the best DC’s in America in Charlie Strong.
However, the secondary is loaded! Safety tandem Ahmad Black and Will Hill may be the best in America and CB Janoris Jenkins should be a shut down corner. In the end, I think the Gators speed and overall talent will allows this group to be okay. But, this unit is a question mark.
Overall
This big offseason football is Gainesville was the health of head coach Urban Meyer. Meyer appears to be okay, and the reports that he is gaining weight is a good sign.
The SEC East will be wide open, but you still have to like the Gators. They have simply recruited the best over the last four or five years, and have arguably the best coach in America in Meyer. They do have to travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide in early October and face what I believe will be a difficult game in Tallahassee at the end of the season. Look for Florida to compete for another SEC and national crown.
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