3 Things That Worry Me About Florida

Here are the three things that I’m NOT worried about Saturday:

1. UGA Running Game. Here’s what I said two weeks ago: “We’re okay here. Even if the line decides to regress, we have enough horses to constantly provide the threat of breaking one open. Additionally, even if Vandy is in our backfield, we have enough talent to grind out at least a couple of first downs.” I’m truly sorry I said this. I didn’t realize it would be a single crucial first down that our running game failed to achieve would help decide the outcome.

Caveat: IF our running game and blocking scheme decides to get off the bus, we should be fine. We know this to be true. I believe, therefore I am right (pardon me, Descartes).

2. Getting off aforementioned bus. There’s no way we fall flat this many years in a row, right? Law of averages, a Poisson Distribution, Murphy’s Law, Occum’s Razor, I mean something has to be in our favor here.

The Georgia Bulldogs have slugged out some very good performances here over the years, and I fully expect to see the effort and guts that Kirby and staff have surely been pounding into their heads the last two weeks.

3. Belk Commercials. As much as I don’t care for the Hairy Dawg/Kirby Smart Belk commercial, the one with Jim McElwain and (I’m guessing) his wife is much, much worse. We win this contest hands down, even without the Florida coach flashing his best Gary Busey smile at the camera.

Here are the three things that I AM worried about Saturday:

1. Jacob Eason bearing the brunt. We might have to be pass-happy if our OL pulls a Nicholls State appearance, but that is not what I’m talking about here. Eason was obviously highly sought as a recruit, and Florida was one of many that offered. They got in the game late, but made a big push, even getting Eason on campus this past December for an official visit.

While Eason ended up in Athens, that doesn’t mean that all is forgiven, or forgotten. Sure, Florida Jort-General McElwain came out in high praise of Eason this week. But I think there is some amount of bad feelings on the Florida squad about getting spurned, and they mean to remind our QB that there are consequences to that decision. I don’t think there will be dirty play (they aren’t Auburn), however I can easily foresee some extra oomph with the pass rush, a corner blitz, or even a Defensive End after getting the best of our Left Tackle.

2. Gator Red Zone Defense. Two weeks ago I used something called foreshadowing by stating I was worried how UGA would fare in the Red Zone against Vandy, then mentioning that most of our final 5 games are against other stout defenses. Florida is now ranked #2 in this category, having only allowed their opposition to enter the red zone 14 times, and netting only 9 scores in 6 games. UGA has entered the red zone 27 times in 7 games, and is ranked #78. If our kicker game is figured out, as most think Rodrigo RecSpecs is the answer, we will need every one of those opportunities to produce points on the board. And if we need a yard, I imagine Chubb might get the handoff.

In case you haven’t heard, the UF defense is ranked #2 nationally in total defense, #6 in 3^rd down defense, #3 in 1^st down defense, #16 in team sacks, etc. etc. etc. They’re apparently pretty good.

3. Verne Lundquist on the telly. I just found out that Verne and Gary will not broadcast next week’s 3:30 SEC on CBS telecast (they’re doing the night game instead). We were THIS CLOSE to avoiding Statler & Waldorf one final time. You can’t see my fingers but trust me they are spaced very close together.

I know he’s retiring at the end of the year, and he deserves his send-off. I’d rather the send-off happen when Gary can arouse himself with Alabama while Verne can gurgle his vodka on the Arkansas roster.

What are the things that worry you about the Mullets of Alachua County? Put them in the comments below, and as always…

GO ‘DAWGS!!!!