Alligator Alley

I think their LBs are too quick, and too physical to have much success running sweeps, and stretch plays, but I think the screen can be very effective. I can't say that I see there being tremendous success running the ball, but at the same time Rainey and Demps are the best chance Florida has for hitting homerun type plays, and the secondary has to respect that ability, so they need to try anyway. Their secondary is also extremely talented, but there may a chance to go over the top if they play close to the line, which they are prone to do. If Weis can establish the threat of the deep ball early, I think there will be some room on the intermediate routes to make some plays, given that the LBs are forced to respect the play action. If Florida can hit a big play or two with Rainey, and Brantley and WRs can hit those crossing routes, and quick outs I think Florida can win this game. If Alabama completely shuts down the running game, which they can do, Brantley will have to win it. Forgive me, but that thought does not instill confidence.

Alabama hasn't been able to sack the quarterback this year -- five in four games -- and Florida's offensive line is better than Arkansas. Charlie Weis called plays to win Super Bowls. Doubt Alabama can throw anything at him that he hasn't seen a hundred times before.

1. Be effective on the LOS, note I said "effective" it's almost impossible to downright dominate a Nick Saban DL so be effective and cohesive up front!!! (SEC)

2. Test the waters, UF has to take chances deep down the field with our speed and the dynamics of Reed and AC. This game will be won by passing to set up the run...not vice versa!!!

3. Be patient, it's inevitable Saban will take away something in our offense but we have to be determined and deliberate in our play calling. Cause Smart to over coach in certain situations like a 2nd and 12 where Alabama smells blood and always brings the heat again but we run a FB screen to Joyer who hasn't caught a pass yet this year(potential big factor). Run it up the middle when you know there playin A gap, it's the 2nd counter play that catches Bama off guard not the obvious counter action.

4. Occupy the middle of the field, feeding off the first key to game (Effective LOS) if were successful doing so this will force Bama to send 5 and an extra which in a 3-4 scheme usually leaves the middle of the field unoccupied, this also ties into key #2 (test the waters) this leaves the safeties hesitant to occupy their zone of the field when Debose and Dunbar have been running the skinny route all game and Brantleys connected once or twice to be a threat...Thompson, Reed, AC and Christian has to man up and occupy the zones that will be left open by an aggressive defense.

5. Get Brantley into a rhythm, all things being equal I think Brantley will and can have and effective day against this defense. Weis as a play caller has shown in the past and now that he's more of a counter play caller, not an oppose your will play caller who tries to stick a square peg into a round hole. Call the playaction pass on 1st and 10 and 2nd and 3, instead of 2nd and 8 or 3rd and 4 which are HB draw situations that can catch any defense of guard. Max protect pocket movements with 3 passing routes in a play will be successful against a 3-4. Less screens this game more 5 step drop routes, something totally different from what Alabama is used to seeing against their Blitzkreig D. (deep outs, deep drags, deep curls and deep skinny)

If we are successful at these keys to the Game UF has an outstanding chance of defeating the Crimson Tide, shocking the college football world but not us Gator faithful...Go Gators!!!

Saban always calls sacks an overrated stat. If you watched the arky game, we only sacked wilson once. But we hit him hard about 15 times. To his credit, he got rid of the ball quickly...a lot of the step drops.

I worry about screens simply because demps and rainey are so freakin fast. But for the most part, our defense is smart as heck and they usually read screens well.

Best way to attack us is quick dumpoffs over the middle. Our LBs are massive, hightower used to be 270. Those guys are lockdown against the run but aren't super quick in coverage.

Surprisingly, we haven't blitzed much this year. But when we do, we bring the house. Best part of our defense is depth and intelligence.