ESPN.com/Scout's Inc. Game Preview

[General Jack]

I don't disagree that there are open questions regarding Florida's O-Line, but what are the "issues" that you mention? Just curious, not baiting or flaming.

Pre-season injuries, lack of returning starters, no experience thus far against a strong defensive line, first road game (I know about the silent count practice, yada yada, ask Cal how well that worked out for them), etc.

 

[no1g8r]

Pre-season injuries, lack of returning starters, no experience thus far against a strong defensive line, first road game (I know about the silent count practice, yada yada, ask Cal how well that worked out for them), etc.

* Pre-season injuries - definitely a factor
* Lack of returning starters - a factor, but less than one might think. These guys aren't all freshmen, and have a year of learning this offense under their belts. This year's UF O-line knows what it is supposed to do. Last year's O-line (and these backups) had to learn as the season went along.
* No experience thus far against a strong defensive line - again, most of these guys have seen significant playing time over the past couple of years. And they face one of the best defensive lines around every day in practice.
* First road game - most of these guys have played on the road before, just not as a unit (which is significant). Sure, it may take a series or two get it together in this environment, but I don't see it being a game-long factor. The UF Defense will likely be called upon to do their thing to keep it close early, but after a couple of series I believe the Gators will know enough about what their O-line can or cannot do so that they can adjust accordlingly.

That said, I look at the Gators O-line as being more of a question mark than a weakness. But even if you consider it a weakness, it's a case of the two teams playing strength to strength (UT O-line vs UF D-line) and weakness to weakness (UT D-line vs UF O-line) in the trenches.

 

[General Jack]

* Pre-season injuries - definitely a factor.

Agreed. This works in the VOLS favor.

* Lack of returning starters - a factor, but less than one might think. These guys aren't all freshmen, and have a year of learning this offense under their belts. This year's UF O-line knows what it is supposed to do. Last year's O-line (and these backups) had to learn as the season went along.

Push - our D-line is in a similar position. But if Harrell is still effective we could have an advantage.

*
* No experience thus far against a strong defensive line - again, most of these guys have seen significant playing time over the past couple of years. And they face one of the best defensive lines around every day in practice.

So your defensive line plays in practice with the intensity that the VOLS are going to bring tomorrow night? Memo to o-line, we're going to be sending pressure with more than just our d-line. You'll see it coming from all directions, even from the CBs on the edge. And the noise - there will be lots.

Yeah, sounds just like a two a day fall practice to me.

* First road game - most of these guys have played on the road before, just not as a unit (which is significant). Sure, it may take a series or two get it together in this environment, but I don't see it being a game-long factor. The UF Defense will likely be called upon to do their thing to keep it close early, but after a couple of series I believe the Gators will know enough about what their O-line can or cannot do so that they can adjust accordlingly.

Ask Cal about the hostile environment. They thought they were ready too... granted they are a PAC-10 team. Gators have been around the block in the SEC. Maybe not a big advantage here, but it certainly doesn't work against the VOLS.

That said, I look at the Gators O-line as being more of a question mark than a weakness. But even if you consider it a weakness, it's a case of the two teams playing strength to strength (UT O-line vs UF D-line) and weakness to weakness (UT D-line vs UF O-line) in the trenches.

Okay, I'm good with leaving it as a question. Reasonable post by the way. But there is no question they will face pressure, blitzing, emotion and noise tomorrow night.

I like our odds in this facet of the game.