1 ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE
OFFENSE:
PRO MULTIPLE 2-BACK
Part of me
wonders just how much things will change without Josh Gattis running the
offense. Despite Nick Saban being mostly old school, his offense was one of the
more modern in the SEC. It looked like
an NFL offense, with its Pro Multiple 2-Back sets, but Gattis got creative and
ran a lot of unconventional things out of it.
That’s easy
to do when you have a QB as good at Tua Tagovailoa, who battled injuries much
of last season yet still was in the top 3 of QBR, the best barometer of
quarterback efficiency. Fully healthy, Tua should be laughing at how ridiculous
his cadre of receivers is – Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs Jr., DeVonta Smith, Jaylen
Waddle. All are game-breakers, and all are nearly impossible to check in single
coverage. As a group they put pressure on a secondary like few units can. Irv
Smith Jr is a big loss at TE, but the Tide will use that position as more of a
blocker and underneath receiver this year as no one on the roster can stretch a
defense the way Smith could.
The ground
game may not be used quite as much in 2019 as both Josh Jacobs and Damien
Harris left for the NFL. That means it is finally time for five-star recruit
Najee Harris to have his turn, and he is your prototype Bama back – powerful, decisive,
shiftier than you expect. He will be the bellcow, but uber-frosh Trey Sanders
will also show his ability.
The
offensive line was boffo last year, allowing just 15 sacks, its lowest total
since allowing 16 in 2014. There is some rebuilding to do, but the tackles are
holdovers in Alex Leatherwood (who slides outside from RG, where he started 15
games last year) and Jedrick Willis. Super freshman Evan Neal has a chance to
start at one guard spot, though needs to bring his weight (360) down just a
tad.
Steve
Sarkisian is the man running the Tide offense this year, and we’ve seen some of
what he has done previously during his somewhat disastrous head coaching stint
at Washington. He likes physical play but isn’t afraid to take shots downfield.
The bigger loss could be QB coach Dan Enos, who left to take over the same role
and OC duties at Miami for Manny Diaz.
DEFENSE: 3-4
Alabama will
once again be aggressive, though this year it won’t have Quinnen Williams, the
most disruptive force in college football last season. Raekwon Davis should be
next man up, and he’ll have a real shot at improving on his 1.5 sacks from
2018. Quick off the ball and a master of understanding leverage, Davis is in
line for a big season. LaBryan Ray will also garner some spotlight after a
39-tackle campaign in which he was a rotational player.
Linebacker
should be a strength for this unit, as All-America candidate Dylan Moses is
ready to bust out – if he didn’t after 86 stops and 6.5 TFL in 2018. Anfernee
Jennings has always teased greatness but never quite delivered – maybe this is
the year.
The
secondary is loaded, with Trevon Diggs as steady as they come and Patrick
Surtain Jr ready to make the leap to stardom as a sticky cover guy. Xavier
McKinney has NFL talent at safety and great range (10 PBU,2 INT), and is the
leader of the back end.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: LB Joshua
McMillon is rangy and has good instincts, and an ability to navigate traffic.
Don’t be shocked if he is near the top of the tackles chart this season.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: RB Trey
Sanders, NG DJ Dale, OL Evan Neal, S Scooby Carter
TOUGHEST
GAMES: at Texas
A&M (O 12); LSU (N 9); at Mississippi State (N 16); at Auburn (N 30)
FUN
NUMBERS: With an
emphasis on passing, the Tide air attack took off, ranking first nationally in
passes per game of 20-plus yards (5.5).
OVERVIEW:
An animal is most
dangerous when it’s wounded, and the Tide took quite a barrage of shrapnel in
last year’s CFP title game. Thoroughly outplayed, Alabama went back the drawing
board – literally. Saban brought in eight new coaches and did many of the same
things he’s done in seasons that didn’t end with championship rings. This team
is most dangerous when it ISN’T atop the mountain, so woe is anyone that gets
in its way. There are two locks for the playoff this year, and Alabama is one
of them.
2 CLEMSON TIGERS
OFFENSE:
SPREAD
What can the
Tigers do for an encore? How about win it again?
As long as
Trevor Lawrence is around that will be possible, as the kid had a historic
freshman season with 30 touchdowns to just four interceptions, completing 65
percent of his passes. The amazing thing is that he seemed to look better and
better by the week, whereas most freshmen have hiccups along the way. Lawrence
has a big-time arm, can make timing throws and does a solid job of reading
defenses. Lawrence had 27 big-time throws to just five turnover worthy throws
in 2018, according to Pro Football Focus. Lawrence is certainly one of the
frontrunners, for the Heisman, and with a receiving corps that is maturing
right along with him he could put up numbers we haven’t seen before.
Tee Higgins
(59 catches, 12 TD, 15.9 YPC) and Justyn Ross (46 catches, 21.7 YPC, 9 TD) form
one of the most lethal receiver combos in America, and when you add in premier
freshmen Frank Ladson and Joseph Ngata you’ll see that Lawrence won’t be
lacking for targets. Amari Rodgers (55 catches, 4 TD) will also be in the mix
once recovered from an injury suffered in spring ball.
Travis
Etienne is, for my money, the best back in America as he can beat you with
speed, power and elusiveness. Etienne averaged 8.3 YPC, picked up nearly half
of his yardage after contact and forced 56 missed tackles. A lot of people
think he’s just a speed back, but he can make people miss in open space. His
only liability is in the pass game (12 catches), and we aren’t sure if it’s
because Clemson doesn’t use its backs or if it’s a weakness in Etienne’s game.
The line
returns mainly intact, with C Sean Pollard, LG John Simpson and RT Tremayne
Anchrum all worthy of all-league mention.
DEFENSE:
4-3
It doesn’t
take a genius to realize that 2018 Clemson defense was an all-time group. The
Tigers were first in rushing defense, first in YPC, first in Points Per Play,
second in Negative Plays percentage and in overall YPP. The returning
production numbers say that just a bit over half is back, but many of this
year’s starters were on the field last year, as that’s how DC Brent Venables likes
to groom newcomers.
A case in
point is DE Xavier Thomas, who had 43 stops and 10.5 TFL in a reserve role. He
was at times on the field with the starters and understands the expectations
and the culture of the defense. He should rise to stardom this season. Xavier
Kelly and Nyles Pinckney each received playing time last season, and Justin
Foster had 6 TFL despite playing less than 50 percent of the team’s defensive
snaps. This group won’t be quite as good as last year’s quartet but won’t drop
off as much as people think.
Isaiah
Simmons fits Venables hybrid LB/safety role perfectly, and he was all over the
field in 2018, amassing 97 tackles, 9.5 TFL and 7 PBU. He’s fast and angry and
adept at finding the ballcarrier.
The
secondary is also talented, with holdovers AJ Terrell (7 PBU, 3 INT) at corner
and K’Von Wallace (7 PBU) and Tanner Muse (76 tackles, 5 PBU, 2 INT) manning
the deep middle from their safety spots. Derion Kendrick moved to cornerback
from receiver during the spring and appeared to do well. Freshman Andrew Booth
will be tough to keep out of the rotation and could find himself in nickel
situations to start out before getting more playing time.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: DT Nyles
Pinckney takes up space and is difficult to move, but he has the quickness to
shoot the gaps and get into the backfield. Much like Lawrence before him,
Pinckey should take a major step forward as a sophomore
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: CB Andrew
Booth, WR Frank Ladson, WR Joseph Ngata, DT Tyler Davis
TOUGHEST
GAMES: Texas A&M
(S 7); at Syracuse (S 14); at NC State (N 9)
FUN
NUMBERS: Clemson is
working on a streak of 10 straight 20-plus point wins, the second longest
streak in the AP poll era (1936).
OVERVIEW:
The Tigers were so
loaded last year that people have a hard time understanding just how good they
were. This was an all-time team, people, on a collision course with destiny.
And when it came knocking, Clemson kicked in the door. It would be natural to
expect a small step back defensively, but the offense should be the most lethal
in all of college football. Fans may not want to hear it, but it’s time to get
ready for Alabama/Clemson III (or IV, if you count non-championship games).
3 TEXAS LONGHORNS
OFFENSE: SPREAD
Sam Ehlinger
has waited for his moment to shine, and 2019 could be it.
The junior
is the top returning quarterback in the Big 12 and one of the best in America
in a variety of categories – a clean passer rating of 113.5, tops among all
returning QBs, and a TD-INT ratio of 25-5 is elite. Ehlinger doesn’t put his
team in bad situations with poor decisions, making just seven turnover worthy
throws all season, according to Pro Football Focus. He is also a standout
runner, amassing 482 yards and 16 TDs. He is seventh among returning QBs in
forced missed tackles rushing, and given the youth in the Longhorns ground
attack that could come in handy. Ehlinger is a definite Heisman candidate and
on the verge of big-time stardom.
When Collin
Johnson decided to come back to Texas for his senior season it helped the
offense immensely. Ehlinger would be starting from scratch had he left, but he
brings a formidable target (6-6, 220) and a huge catch radius. Johnson caught
68 passes last season and scored seven TDs. Devin Duvernay doesn’t make
headlines, but he caught 41 passes a year ago without a drop, second best tally
in all of FBS. Redshirt freshman Malcolm Epps, Brennan Eagles and Joshua Moore
fill out the unit.
The ground
game is in the able hands (and legs) of Keontay Ingram, who ran for over 700
yards as a true frosh last year and should get the lion’s share of the carries.
Ingram is more shifty than elusive and runs with power and aggression. Freshman
Jordan Whittington was impressive this spring and will see playing time.
The
offensive line is the best in the conference, and was given a boost by the
arrival of Georgia Tech All-America guard Parker Braun, an outstanding blocker
in the run game but a work in progress in pass pro. Sam Cosmi was excellent as
freshman at left tackle, registering the third most snaps of any returning
player in the country. Cosmi had five games where he didn’t allow a single QB
pressure, good stuff for a rookie. Zach Shackelford is veteran at center who
didn’t allow a single sack and just one QB hit in 440 snaps a year ago. The addition of Herb Hand as OL coach should
pay huge dividends, having done well at Penn State and Auburn previously. If
Texas can improve its run blocking (Longhorns averaged just 3.8 YPC last season)
then the sky’s the limit.
DEFENSE:
3-3-5
Yes, the
Longhorns D is young (123rd in returning production, 8 new
starters). Yes, it was poor against the pass last season, especially bad when
you play in the pass-happy Big 12. And yes, there have been some issues with
players being used properly in DC Todd Orlando’s scheme.
All that said,
there is enough talent in the problem areas to overcome those concerns.
HC Tom Herman has
been recruiting at a very high level the last couple of seasons, and talent is
how you win at Texas. Not gimmicks, not schemes, talent. The Longhorns can now
match Oklahoma player for player and have an edge in defense. With this being
the third year of Orlando’s scheme, things should really begin to take hold.
Most of
Texas’ premier talent is in the secondary, so it makes sense to use nickel as
the primary defense. You may even see a decent amount of dime to get another
coverage guy on the field. Given the teams they face, that would be a way to
counteract the youth of the front seven.
Caden Sterns
(62 tackles, 4 PBU, 4 INT) played well beyond his freshman status at one safety
spot, showing a knack for finding the football as well as an affinity for big
hits. Senior Brandon Jones (70 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2 INT) was very good at the
other safety position, and BJ Foster (46 tackles, 9 TFL, 5 PBU) was impressive
at nickel as freshman. Anthony Cook got more playing time as the season
progressed at one corner spot, but Jalen Greene is new. Kobe Boyce and D’Shawn
Jamison add depth to this unit, which is the best in the Big 12 and one of the
10 best in college football.
The
linebackers are talented but green, with Jeffrey McCulloch and his six starts
the most experienced. McCulloch is big (245) but can run. Touted Ayodele Adeoye
(top 20 LB recruit in 2018) should get one outside spot after
redshirting, and Joseph Ossai is on a collision course with stardom after
flashing big in the Sugar Bowl.
Malcolm
Roach was part of the D-line rotation last season, making 24 stops, and will be
called upon for leadership on a unit that has the most question marks. Talented
recruit Jacoby Jones may be too good to sit on the sidelines.
It’s a
gamble putting a lot of faith in such a young defense, but in college football
talent is a precious commodity, one that wins more often than it loses. Texas
has upgraded its talent sufficiently that the youth is no longer a huge worry.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: LB Joseph
Ossai, who takes over for Malcolm Roach as the Horns B-backer (Roach moves to
rush end), led the team in tackles in the Sugar Bowl and plays with a nasty
attitude. He has to hope that the largely inexperienced front can engage
blockers well enough to allow him to run free, but he has the talent to be a
star.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: OG Parker
Braun (Ga Tech transfer), DE Jacoby Jones (JUCO), LB DeGabriel Floyd, RB Jordan
Whittington
TOUGHEST
GAMES: LSU (S 7), vs
Oklahoma (O 12), at TCU (O 26), at Iowa State (N 16)
FUN
NUMBERS: The
Longhorns allowed far too many big plays on defense, with opponents gaining 10-plus
yards on 196 plays, 101st in FBS. Surprisingly, 128 of those gains
came in Texas victories.
OVERVIEW:
There is definitely
some momentum coming from Austin – it started with the bowl win over Georgia and
continued through a very good recruiting class for 2019. Yeah, the Longhorns
are young, and there are some questions about how well the defense will hold
up. But Ehlinger is a real gamer, and a better passer than people give him
credit for. Texas finally has the speed – if not the depth – to go toe to toe
with the big boys, and with a pretty manageable schedule it’s time for a Texas
breakthrough. Yes, the Longhorns will make their first appearance in the
College Football Playoff, which should put an end to the question about whether
or not they are “back.”
4 UTAH UTES
OFFENSE: MULTIPLE
Utah returns
a good portion of its offense from 2018, but the biggest return could be from a
guy who hasn’t been around the program since 2014. Andy Ludwig is back as OC,
and he called the plays for the 2008 team that went unbeaten and was one of the
most prolific offenses in school history. He and Kyle Whittingham seem to be on
the same page stylistically, going from the quicker tempo of Troy Taylor’s system
to a more deliberate, complex scheme. That could be an issue for returning QB
Tyler Huntley as he has to learn new terminology, but the Utes have a veteran
group and that concern is minimal.
Huntley
showed how valuable he was to the offense last year, as Utah averaged nearly a
TD more in the games he played. Huntley missed five contests due to injury but
completed 64.1 percent of his passes and threw for 12 scores while running for
four more. Huntley is more of game-manager than elite talent, but he can occasionally
take over games with his dual-threat skill set.
Zach Moss is
one of the better running backs that doesn’t get talked about. He averaged over
6 YPC and scored 11 touchdowns despite missing five contests and should be asked
to contribute more in the passing game this season. Moss is a workhorse who
will get a few breaks, but his toughness is part of the identity of this
offense.
The receiving
corps is good and returns nearly everyone. Britain Covey (60 catches) was the
favorite target, but late in the season others emerged, including Jaylen Dixon
(32 catches), Samson Nacua (31 catches, 5 TD) and Demari Simpkins (26 catches).
If Utah can spread the wealth rather than relying solely on Covey in clutch
situations, this will be a tough offense to deal with.
The offensive
line has been rebuilt, with LT Darrin Paulo and C Orlando Umana as holdovers.
RT Nick Ford played in 11 games last season and the coaching staff is high on a
pair of redshirt freshmen at the other two spots.
There is
little that’s more valuable than experience, and Utah returns 90 percent of its
offensive production from last year, the third best figure in FBS.
DEFENSE: 4-2-5
The Utes
have thrived defensively under DC Morgan Scalley, giving up fewer than 24
points in each of his first three seasons guiding the D. Last year’s unit was especially
stingy, allowing just 19.8 ppg and tallying 37 sacks. Utah plays aggressive yet
doesn’t give up big plays, which is why they are so difficult to to against.
Utah was especially good against the run, ranking in the to 10 in rushing yards
(5th), YPC (5th), Negative Play Percentage (10th)
and explosive rushes allowed (9th).
The defensive
line could be the best in the country, led by beast Bradlee Anae (51 tackles,
15.5 TFL, 8 sacks). The senior end passed up the NFL for a chance to return to
school to chase the brass ring. Anae has a high motor and freakish strength and
was a first team all-league choice last year. Maxs Tupai mans the other end
spot, while John Penisini and Leki Fotu take up space inside. The 6-5,
327-pound Fotu especially has NFL star written all over him and is almost
always the victim of double team blocks. Mika Tafua and freshman Semisi Lauaki,
who was in for spring, will also have opportunities.
The
secondary is another unit that’s among the best in the country, headed by
cornerback Jaylon Johnson (41 tackles, 4 PBU, 4 INT) and safety Julian Blackmon
(48 tackles, 10 PBU), who are both all-league worthy. Nickel Javelin Guidry is
active and can play the ball as well as create havoc in the backfield.
If there is
a weak spot for the unit, it’s linebacker. Francis Bernard is steady, but
the Utes were counting on Penn State transfer Manny Bowen to bring experience
and physical play to the group. But he recently quit football, saying the passion
is no longer there. That leaves a tremendous hole in the LB corps, one that
could be filled by sophomores Devin Lloyd or Sione Lund, who started his career
at Stanford, and redshirt frosh Andrew Mata’afa.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: WR Jaylen
Dixon has the speed and explosiveness to make the Utes passing game pretty
dangerous. Veteran Britain Covey is great running the underneath stuff, but
Dixon is the one who will be able to take the top off of opposing defenses.
With OC Andy Ludwig back in the fold look for Utah to be much more of a modern
offense. Dixon will be a big part of that.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: OG Paul
Maile (RS), OG Braeden Daniels (RS), DE Semisi Lauaki
TOUGHEST
GAMES: at BYU (A
29), Washington State (S 28), California (O 26), at Washington (N 2)
FUN
NUMBERS: 28, the
percentage of non-sack rushing carries that were stuffed at or behind the line
by the Utes aggressive defense. That total was best the league and second in
all of FBS
OVERVIEW:
After missing out on
the CFP for two straight seasons, the Pac-12 finally has a team equipped to
make a run. The Utes won’t wow anyone with big plays – though they will be more
plentiful this season – but they are a model of efficiency. In Huntley and
Moss, Utah has two players who can move the chains and bleed the clock. And the
defense? Well, let’s just say it’s easily the best in the conference, and there
are a number of NFL talents on the roster, notably in the secondary and up
front. If the Utes can get past Washington, then it’s smooth sailing to the
league title game – and beyond.
5 GEORGIA BULLDOGS
OFFENSE:
PRO STYLE
I don’t
quite get the hate thrown at Jake Fromm by Georgia fans. Is he dynamic? No. Is
he an elite athlete? Uh-uh. But you know what? He leads, he wins, and he can
make more than enough throws. Fromm was 41-69 with 13 TDs and just one INT on
throws of 10-20 yards, according to Pro Football Focus, and is sneaky good at
keeping plays alive. Overall, Fromm tossed 30 TDs to just six picks, and
completed over 67 percent of his passes.
The offensive
line could be America’s best, led by LT Andrew Thomas, who allowed just 11
pressures in 314 snaps and who should be a high NFL draft pick next year.
Isaiah Wilson held up well as a freshman opposite Thomas, while Solomon Kindley,
Jamaree Salyer and Ben Cleveland all have vital experience at guard. Trey Hill slides
over to center, and Cade Mays is a versatile utility part who can play tackle or
guard. Georgia excelled last year, ranking seventh nationally in YPC and had a 6%
sack rate.
D’Andre
Swift eclipsed 1000 yards and scored 10 TDs a year ago and is considered one of
the best backs in college football. Swift has electric feet that allow him to
be elusive in the hole and a burst that gets him to top speed in a hurry. Brian
Herrien (5.9 YPC), James Cook (6.9 YPC), redshirt Zamir White and recruit Kenny
McIntosh could all see time relieving Swift.
If there is
one area of concern, it’s receiver. Jeremiah Holloman was dismissed from the
team, leaving precious little experience in the group. No other returnee had
more than 10 grabs last year, so someone will need to step up. It could be Cal
transfer Demetris Robertson, who averaged nearly 15 yards per grab in two years
with the Bears. Miami transfer Lawrence Cager could also be a presence, but
there is a lot of uneasiness with this group. It may be up to freshmen George
Pickens and Dominick Blaylock to provide a spark.
DEFENSE: 4-3
The Dawgs
defense, nearly elite in 2017, wasn’t nearly as disruptive last year. There was
a reduction in sacks (from 34 to 24), a rise in YPP (from 4.7 to 4.9) and a
rise in completion percentage (from 55 to 61). A lot of this was because DC Mel
Tucker chose to play conservative, allowing teams to catch the football and
having his guys make the tackle. That could change with the elevation of Dan
Lanning to DC, though you have to believe Kirby Smart will have his hands in
the defense, too.
The
defensive line is experienced but not nearly as productive as it should be, as the
three returnees combined for just four sacks and four TFLs. Those numbers must
improve if the Dawgs are to be considered national title contenders, especially
since the offense is so methodical. Jordan Davis could be ready for a breakout
at one defensive spot, while Julian Rochester and Tyler Clark bring the most experience
up front. Brenton Cox flashed big time skills as a part of the rotation in his
freshman season. Veteran Malik Herring and JUCO Devonte Wyatt could also be factors.
The linebackers
will be talented, but inexperienced. Monty Rice and Tae Crowder have 11 starts
between them, but both fit the mold of Georgia linebackers in that they can run
and hit. JUCO All-America Jermaine Johnson was in for spring ball and impressed
and should make an immediate impact. Top-end freshmen Nolan Smith and Nakobe
Dean will be hard to keep off the field.
The secondary
lost its best player in corner Deandre Baker, but Eric Stokes showed great promise
as a freshman, with 9 PBU in limited action. Tyson Campbell is physical and a
willing tackler on the other side, while safeties JR Reed and Richard Lecounte
are the leading returning tacklers. Reed has star power and seems to come up
big in pressure situations.
This will be
your typical Georgia D, rife with talent and quickness. The question is whether
or not it can affect teams more at the point of attack this season.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: DE Jordan
Davis, who had flashes during the season but really came on late. Davis has
speed and quickness off the edge, but also has the strength to go inside and
overpower. With veterans Julian Rochester and Tyler Clark taking care of the
inside, Davis should be able to wreak havoc on opposing backfields.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: LB Nolan
Smith, LB Nakobe Dean, DE Jermaine Johnson (JUCO), CB DJ Daniel (JUCO), WR
Lawrence Cager (Miami transfer)
TOUGHEST
GAMES: Notre Dame (S
21), vs Florida (N 2), at Auburn (N 16), Texas A7M (N 23)
FUN
NUMBERS: Georgia
averaged 2.6 rushes per game of 20-plus yards, which was tops in the SEC and
sixth nationally.
OVERVIEW: It’s intriguing to think of the
possibilities with the Georgia offense, especially now that James Coley is
calling the plays. He isn’t afraid to open the playbook, which could mean more
passing and less “game managing” from Fromm. And that could be a good thing
because, contrary to the belief of many in Dawg Nation, the kid has an arm. The
ground game will still be lethal, of course, but it wouldn’t be surprising to
see the offense tick up from last year’s 37.9 ppg. The D is young in the front
seven but has SO many athletes that it becomes less of a concern. Georgia has
had Alabama on the ropes twice in two years now and couldn’t finish the deal.
Is this the year that happens? We say maybe, but it also wouldn’t be a complete
shock if the Dawgs enter the SEC title game with a loss as the schedule late is
brutal. National championship contender, for sure.
6 OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
OFFENSE:
SPREAD
For the first
time in eight seasons, Ohio State will not be guided by Urban Meyer. The controversial
coach stepped away from the game following last year’s 13-1 season, replaced by
OC Ryan Day, who helped Dwayne Haskins break every conceivable single season
passing record at the school and get selected in the first round of the NFL
Draft. Day went 3-0 as interim head coach last season and looked like a good
fit, so there is minimal worry that the job is too big for him.
More of a
worry is an offensive line that needs to replace four players. The group wasn’t
great last year, finishing 76th in YPC and 78th in YPC on
first down. OSU played behind the chains a lot, but Haskins was able to bail
them out. The line must improve with inexperience at the quarterback position.
Rutgers transfer Jonah Jackson will be a huge help at one guard spot, and
sophomore Wyatt Davis looks like a star in the making on the other side. Tackle
on both sides is a question as Thayer Munford missed the spring and Nicholas
Petit-Frere has not distanced himself from Brandon Bowen.
Justin
Fields takes over at quarterback after transferring from Georgia. The top QB recruit
in the nation in 2018, Fields was used sparingly by the Bulldogs and felt a
change of scenery would be best. Fields is a great athlete who had some ups and
downs in the spring, but he has a big-time arm. Day’s playbook is immense, and
the learning aspect will be the toughest obstacle for Fields. There is confidence
from the staff that he can handle the physical part of things, especially since
there will be a return to more RPOs. Fields will be working with former Oklahoma
State OC Mike Yurcich, who is the Buckeyes QBs coach/passing game coordinator and who consistently
turned out good numbers in Stillwater.
JK Dobbins
had his second straight 1000-yard season but considered it a disappointment, as
he averaged just 4.6 YPC, nearly three yards less than his breakout freshman
campaign. In a timeshare with Mike Weber, Dobbins was more powerful but less explosive.
He’s dropped 10 pounds in an effort to regain his burst and could be in line
for a big season. DeMario McCall will get some work as H-back, and freshman
Steele Chambers could also e in the mix as more of a power component.
OSU lost its
top three receivers to the NFL but fear not because the Buckeyes have a deep
stable of talent. Fun fact that will win a bar bet – the Buckeyes have had more
receivers drafted than any other team over the past 20 years. KJ Hill (70 catches,
6 TD) is a reliable veteran who catches everything thrown his way and will
likely leave Columbus with most career receiving records. Austin Mack (26
catches) was injured last season but flashed his potential as a freshman and Binjimen
Victor (21 catches, 16.9 YPC, 4 TD) has great run after the catch ability, as
he exhibited in the Buckeyes comeback win over Penn State. Jaelen Gill
impressed in the spring after redshirting and will see action, as will top
recruit Garrett Wilson, who was already flashing big-time skills in spring
ball. He is good enough to be part of the regular rotation and contend for
league freshman of the year honors.
DEFENSE: 4-3
Normally
reliable, Ohio State’s defense bottomed out last season. The Buckeyes had
finished top six in YPP for three straight seasons beginning in 2015, but last
year were 72nd. There were poor alignments, lack of communication
and understanding and a scheme that didn’t fit the personnel. You expect more
from a Greg Schiano defense, but it was poor all around.
To alleviate
the issues, Day made some coaching staff changes. He brought in Greg Mattison
and Al Washington from Michigan and Jeff Hafley from the San Francisco 49ers,
and the energy in the spring was palpable.
One person Day
kept was defensive line coach Larry Johnson, who just may be the best in the business.
The Buckeyes have been churning out linemen regularly for years now, all under
the watchful eye of Johnson. He has another great one this year in Chase Young,
who led all edge defenders in QB pressures (75) and won on 19.6 percent of his pass
rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. He had 11 sacks, 14 hits and 50
hurries, a rare pass rush triple double. The kid is a surefire early pick in
next year’s NFL Draft but has one more season to wreak havoc. Jonathan Cooper
gets lost among the big names but had 6.5 TFL last season and could go out with
a bang. Robert Landers had an impressive spring and should be a force inside.
Freshman Zach Harrison and sophomores Tyreke Smith and Tyler Friday could also
contribute.
Despite numbers
that say otherwise, the Buckeyes have one of the better secondaries in America,
at least in terms of talent. OSU was 86th in passing yardage, but an
aggressive attack accounted for a 55.6 opponent completion percentage (29th)
and negative play percentage of 10% (26th). Jeffrey Okudah is ready
to blossom at one corner spot after showcasing himself late in the season.
Okudah (34 tackles, 8 PBU) has excellent instincts and can play physical man
coverage. Damon Arnette and Shaun Wade could rotate on the other side. Jordan
Fuller (81 tackles, 4 PBU) has all-league ability at safety and Brendon White
(46 tackles, 4 TFL, 2 PBU) will man the new Bullet position, which is a hybrid
safety/linebacker that puts him in the box and allows him to run free to make
plays.
Linebacker
was a sore spot last season, but Malik Harrison (81 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 3 QBH)
was a standout. Flashing NFL speed and talent, Harrison is the one holdover
whose job is safe. Baron Browning may finally be ready to realize his potential
after two largely nondescript seasons, and sophomore Teradja Mitchell had an
excellent spring and appears ready to handle a regular workload. Tuf Borland
and Pete Werner will likely open the season as starters but could have trouble
hanging on to their jobs due to the athleticism of the younger players.
How much the
defense improves will directly impact Ohio State’s fortunes. The Buckeyes won’t
be able to simply outscore foes like they did last year, so they need the stop
side to step up.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: LB
Teradja Mitchell has had star potential since the moment he arrived on campus,
and now that he has done his stint on special teams, he’s ready to shake up the
LB corps. Instinctive and fast, Mitchell is a heat-seeking missile who can find
the ballcarrier.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: QB Justin
Fields (Georgia transfer), WR Garrett Wilson, DE Zach Harrison, OG Jonah
Jackson (Rutgers transfer), RB Steele Chambers
TOUGHEST
GAMES: at Nebraska
(S 28), Michigan State (O 5), Penn State (N 23), at Michigan (N 30)
FUN
NUMBERS: 3.0, the
average of gains per game of 30-plus yards on offense, 13th best
nationally. The 6.6 YPP averaged by OSU was 11th best in the land.
OVERVIEW:
There is a lot of
intrigue and mystery surrounding the Buckeyes in 2019 – a legendary coach steps
down, a new one with an innovative offensive mind takes over. How will Ryan Day
handle things now that the gig is his full-time? We think just fine, as he pays
incredible attention to detail and did well in his three-game “audition” last
season. The defense will be allowed to play instead of think, which will make
it better because there are athletes galore on that side of the ball. The
offense will look more like an Urban Meyer attack, with Fields providing a
lethal running threat and an arm that can make nearly every throw. It’s
figuring out the defenses that will determine how successful Fields and the
Buckeyes will be. We think very, as in Big Ten champs and playoff contender.
7 OKLAHOMA SOONERS
OFFENSE: MULTIPLE
NO HUDDLE
It’s
difficult and probably a bit crazy to doubt Lincoln Riley. After all, he’s two
for two in CFP appearances and has also presided over the top offense in college
football as well as the last two Heisman Trophy winners. So predicting a step
back that results in the Sooners not only missing the CFP, but finishing second
in the Big 12, could be downright crazy.
But it’s
what I am doing.
The
reasoning is twofold – an all-world offensive line that lost four players to
the NFL and a transfer quarterback who has never been known for his passing
acumen.
The bigger concern
first – offensive line. Oklahoma develops linemen as well as anyone in America,
so by the end of the season there shouldn’t be much of an issue with this group.
However, chemistry is only gained by playing together and taking live bullets,
and none of these guys have done that. Even a slight regression in offensive
production could spell the difference between the CFP and being a spectator. It
should be noted that the one holdover, center Creed Humphrey, has already
asserted himself as one of the top pivotmen in college football. He’s smart and
nasty and will have to lead, despite being just a sophomore.
Following
Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray is no easy feat, and that’s what Jalen Hurts
has to do after arriving from Alabama with a 26-2 record. There is no doubt
Hurts is a winner, and a player that’s easy to root for. That doesn’t change
the fact that he’s a career 61 percent passer, and at this point in a career,
players don’t make massive improvements. They are what they are. Hurts is a
great leader and a dangerous runner, and while he improved his passing
last year at Alabama it’s a lot to ask him to do the same in a offense that
plays fast, relies on quick reads and decision-making and precise throws that
allow playmakers to do their thing. I expect Riley to tweak the offense, taking
advantage of shorter timing routes rather than a bunch of downfield throws, as
that better suits Hurts skill set. If the offense doesn’t adapt, there could be
problems.
If Hurts is
up to the challenge, he has a ton of playmakers to work with. CeeDee Lamb (65
catches, 17.8 YPC, 11 TD) is one of the most dangerous wideouts in America,
able to take a short pass to the end zone. There isn’t a ton of experience at the
other receiver spots, which means TE Grant Calcaterra (26 catches, 15.2 YPC, 6
TD) could become a favorite target. Freshman Theo Wease and Jadon Haselwood
will both make an instant impact.
The running
back stable is deep, though there could be issues with Kennedy Brooks, who
rambled for 12 TDs and averaged 8.9 YPC. Blessed with great burst and
explosiveness, Brooks is one of the top backs in the land. He missed much of
the spring and summer and was recently brought back to the team after a Title
IX investigation into alleged domestic violence. He was cleared by the school,
but his alleged victim spoke out and said Oklahoma was protecting him. At this
time, it appears that Brooks is good to go, but if he isn’t then Trey Sermon (13
TD, 5.8 YPC) would take the bulk of the carries. Sophomore TJ Pledger could
also be in line for work.
It will be
intriguing to see what kind of balancing act Riley does with the Sooners
offense this season.
DEFENSE: 4-2-5
As good as
Oklahoma’s offense has been under Riley, the defense has been that bad.
The Sooners
ranked 100th or worse in scoring defense, total defense, passing
defense, passing yards per attempt …. You get the picture. It was not a pretty
performance, and the one thing that kept Oklahoma from doing anything in the
postseason. Even an average defense might have given Oklahoma a CFP victory.
Enter Alex
Grinch, who transformed Washington State into one of the more aggressive, feared
defenses in the Pac-12. He will install his system, which gambles a ton but
also leaves the possibility of the big play, with an experienced unit that returns
81 percent of its production.
There should
be opportunities for the Sooners to be better at bothering the quarterback.
Oklahoma has been below 30 sacks in each of the last three seasons, but DE
Ronnie Perkins showed some chops as a freshman with five sacks and eight TFL. Neville
Gallimore is a tad undersized inside but is difficult to move and could be an anchor
against the run.
Junior LB
Kenneth Murray has been around the football since the day he arrived on campus,
leading the team with 155 stops last year. A read and react type, Murray may be
asked to be more aggressive this season. The secondary has athletes but did not
perform well, and in the pass-happy Big 12 that is not a good thing. Tre
Norwood and Tre Brown will get first shot at the corners, but touted nickel
back Brendan Radley-Hiles had far too many coverage mistakes and may be
fighting for his starting job.
With a
potentially slower offense, the Sooners D may see a reduction in some of its
numbers simply because it will face fewer snaps. It’s how much improvement
there is that will determine whether the Sooners stay atop the conference.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: DE Ronnie
Perkins flashed huge potential during his freshman campaign, but also had
enough youthful mistakes that his impact wasn’t completely felt. That changes
this year as the ultra-fast Perkins will prove to be a nightmare for opposing
OTs to handle. Double-digit sack numbers are not out of the question.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: QB Jalen
Hurts (Alabama transfer), OG RJ Prcotor (Virginia transfer), DT LaRon Stokes
(JUCO), WR Theo Wease, WR Jadon Haselwood
TOUGHEST
GAMES: Houston (A
31), at UCLA (S 14), vs Texas (O 12), Iowa State (N 9), TCU (N 23), at Oklahoma
State (N 30)
FUN
NUMBERS: 1036, the
number of plays the Oklahoma defense faced in 2018. The Sooners D was a sieve,
and it could not get off the field. Part of it was because the offense scored
quickly, but part was because the unit was just bad.
OVERVIEW:
Two years under
Lincoln Riley, two berths in the CFP. The next step is winning a game. Whether
or not that happens this year remains to be seen, but the schedule isn’t
exactly a cakewalk. Veteran Jalen Hurts comes in to run the show, and we’ll see
how much of the playbook Riley leaves open as Hurts is not the passer Kyler
Murray or Baker Mayfield was. He is a winner, though, and that counts for
something. There is nowhere but up for the defense to go, and new DC Alex
Grinch has proven credentials. A rebuilt O-line is cause for concern, even if
the Sooners typically are among the best groups in the country, and unproven
talent at receiver could also be an issue. How will they respond in big
moments? The Sooners should once again be in the B12 title game. Whether or not
they are in the CFP? That’s another story.
8 LSU TIGERS
OFFENSE: MULTIPLE
Last year
was a nice first step in the evolution of LSU’s offense, as the Tigers had more
varied formations, some decent in-game adjustments and found a real leader in
Ohio State transfer Joe Burrow, who accounted for 23 touchdowns in his first season
as a starter.
One thing
there wasn’t enough of was downfield throwing. Burrow has a nice arm, but LSU
didn’t want to gamble and press defenses deep – odd since the receiving corps
has the potential to be very good. LSU routinely turns out receivers to the
NFL, yet never has what anyone would consider a feared passing attack. Maybe it
changes this season with the addition of New Orleans Saints assistant Joe Brady
as passing game coordinator.
If Brady’s
concepts click, LSU could indeed be dangerous on offense. Justin Jefferson (54
catches, 6 TD, 16.2 YPC) is already proving to be a top talent and has
excellent speed and route-running skill. Ja’marr Chase flashed as a freshman,
and Terrace Marshall may be ready to show why he was last year’s top recruit at
receiver. Texas Tech transfer Jonathan Giles and freshman Devonta Lee add to
the mix.
The
offensive line suffered through injury and inconsistency, which contributed to
LSU averaging just 4.2 YPC on first down (93rd nationally). C Lloyd
Cushenberry is an All-America candidate, and tackle Saadiq Charles and guard Damien
Lewis bring experience.
LSU typically
has a bruiser in the backfield, and last year it was the underappreciated Nick
Brossette. He is off to the NFL, so the committee approach will be handled by
holdover Clyde Edwards-Helaire (658 yards, 7 TD) and super frosh John Emery,
the third ranked runner in the class. Emery has some wiggle and speed to get to
the outside and should take over the starting role sooner rather than later.
DEFENSE:
3-4
DC Dave Aranda
is a master at finding what his troops do well and adapting his schemes to fit.
He typically has linebackers that can run all day, defensive backs that can
play the ball and pack a wallop and a defensive front that pins back its ears
and bothers the quarterback repeatedly.
There are
stars at each level, none bigger than safety Grant Delpit. The junior is everywhere,
and registered 74 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 9 PBU, 5 INT and 4 QBH. He will take over as
quarterback of the defense with the departure of LB Devin White to the NFL, so
the Tigers are in good hands here. Kristian Fulton is the latest in a long line
of shutdown corners from the bayou. Fulton allowed just 17 completions and only
two TDs on 41 targets, along with 7 PBU. He missed three games with a foot
injury but is ready to bust out. True frosh Derek Stingley Jr was in for spring
and has already assumed a starting spot opposite Fulton, so teams throwing on the
Tigers are tempting fate.
It will be
impossible to replace a force like White, who made 123 tackles in 2018. LSU won’t
do it with one player, instead focusing on a cadre of talent to get the job
done. Jacob Phillips inherits White’s spot and was actually second in tackles
with 87. Patrick Queen has the look of a star after netting 40 stops and 5 TFL
a year ago, Michael Divinity is a high-motor senior and EDGE K’Lavon Chaisson
is back and healthy after playing in only one game last season.
If there is
one chink in the armor it’s up front, where there wasn’t the typical
production. Sacks went down from 39 to 34, total yards increased by nearly 25
and points went up by a field goal. Much of that can be tied to inconsistency
from the front line. The talent is there to be dominant, with Rashard Lawrence
(54 tackles, 10.5 TFL) and Glen Logan forming an excellent duo. True freshman
Apu Ika takes over at the nose and showed occasional dominance in the spring.
Tyler Shelvin and Breiden Fehoko add depth and experience.
The Tigers
return 70 percent of their defensive production from a year ago, and if it can
merely tighten up against the run game it will be one of the most feared units
in the country.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: RLB
Patrick Queen, who just scratched the surface last year as more of a
situational player. He will play the same way (and position) as Devin White,
only he may be faster. He doesn’t quite have the football IQ or instincts of
his predecessor, but he could certainly be in line for a huge season.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: CB Derek
Stingley, RB John Emery, NT Siaki Ika, LB Soni Fanua
TOUGHEST
GAMES: at Texas (S
7), Florida (O 12), at Mississippi State (O 19), at Alabama (N 9), Texas
A&M (N 30)
FUN
NUMBERS: 49.7, which
is the completion percentage of opposing QBs last season. LSU’s pass D was
something truly special, ranking highly in YPA (T8), Passer Rating (4) and INTs
(11). And teams still threw a lot, averaging 34.5 attempts per game, one of the
highest figures in the country.
OVERVIEW:
THIS is the year the
LSU offense comes into the modern age – right? We’ve heard that before, yet there
we are in October, and the Tigers are lining up in two-back and plowing up the
middle for a three-yard gain. But there are assurances that they will implement
RPOs into the scheme, which should suit Burrow just fine. If the wideouts
become more consistent the offense should hum. The D will be its usual nasty
self, even if it is young. The turnover luck LSU had last year may not be as
abundant in 2019, which could signal a small step back. But this is the best
team Ed Orgeron has had, maybe the first one with a legitimate shot to beat
Alabama. LSU will be a very intriguing team to follow this year, as it will
either be right near the top or wither under heightened expectations.
9 OREGON DUCKS
OFFENSE: PISTOL/POWER
RUN SPREAD
Any talk of
the Oregon offense starts with Justin Herbert, one of the more polarizing
figures in college football.
Herbert can
make throws to all levels, has a quick release and can throw on the move, yet
folks look purely at the numbers – 59.4 completion percentage – and think the
kid can’t play. The completion percentage goes WAY up if Oregon’s receivers don’t
drop 52 passes in 2018, and with an experienced group returning that shouldn’t
happen again. Herbert is still too inconsistent from week to week, which is
probably a reason he returned for his senior season.
For all the
talk of Herbert, the biggest issue last year was with the Ducks running game. It
was 103rd in explosiveness and 73rd on first down YPC,
which put them behind the chains far too often. CJ Verdell ran for over 1000
yards and scored 10 TDs and was spelled by Travis Dye, but the slower pace of
the offense last year seemed to impact Oregon’s ability to hit foes with quick
inside runs as they have in previous seasons.
The offensive
line is the most experienced in college football, with 153 starts between them.
If they can play as a unit the offense should make huge strides. LG Shane Lemieux
could be the best of the bunch, though LT Penei Sewell, who got some
All-America mention as a freshman, may have something to say about that.
Versatile Calvin Throckmorton settles in at right tackle after playing four
positions last year.
Finding reliable
receivers will go a long way toward Oregon achieving its goals, and Jaylon Redd
(38 catches, 5 TD) is a good place to start as he has the potential to be
lethal from the slot. Penn State transfer Juwan Johnson adds experience and
size (6-5, 230), while Johnny Johnson and Brendan Schooler were in the mix last
season. Freshman Mycah Pittman has the talent to get into the lineup.
DEFENSE:
3-4
The defense
was supposed to be good last season but regressed from 2017, giving up more
yards and netting fewer sacks while allowing a higher YPP average. The defense
was less aggressive, surprising considering Jim Leavitt was DC, and the
production was just not there. Now Leavitt exits, which could be an issue for a unit
looking for stability. Andy Avalos comes over from Boise State, and while the
Broncos were usually good on D, they weren’t elite. Maybe better personnel
produces better results.
Oregon’s secondary
can hold its own against any group in America, led by corner Thomas Graham (56
tackles, 18 PBU, 3 INT). He doesn’t get a lot of publicity, but opposing
receivers know he is sticky in man coverage, especially on slants and crosses.
Jevon Holland and Nick Pickett form a physical duo at safety, and Deommodore
Lenoir could emerge opposite Graham as he had 9 PBUs in 2018. Freshman Mykael
Wright is one to watch.
Troy Dye has
been a tackling machine at linebacker ever since arriving as a freshman, and he
is the heart and soul of the Ducks D. The senior made 115 stops last year,
including 8 TFL, 7 PBU and 4 QBH. He’s all over the field and provides excellent
leadership for the defense.
The defensive
front needs to pick it up this season after failing to disrupt often enough in
2018. The rush defense was OK, but the negative play percentage of 8% was 96th
in the country. More aggression is needed, and it may come in the form of
freshman Kayvon Thibodeaux, the nation’s top overall recruit. Long-armed and
fast, Thibodeaux may solve the pass rushing and aggressiveness problems Oregon
had last season. DT Jordon Scott has flashed talent but is far too inconsistent
and needs to become more of an anchor inside.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: WR Jaylen
Redd, whose 38 catches leads all returnees and who, by all accounts, had a very
good spring. Quick out of his breaks and lethal with the ball in his hands,
Redd should find himself on the receiving end of plenty of Herbert targets.
IMPACT NEWCOMERS:
DE Kayvon
Thibodeaux, WR Juwan Johnson (Penn State transfer), WR Mycah Pittman, LB Mase
Funa
TOUGHEST
GAMES: vs Auburn (A
31), at Stanford (S 21), at Washington (O 19), at USC (N 2)
FUN
NUMBERS: 52, the
number of dropped passes by Oregon receivers and backs. Catch even half of
those and the offense would have been more lethal, and folks would be talking
about Herbert in different terms
OVERVIEW:
Heading into the
spring I had Oregon in the CFP but took a look at their schedule, the loss of
DC Jim Leavitt, and the fact that, well, it’s Oregon. There is always one
season-changing moment that happens to the Ducks, and usually not for the
better. Someone gets hurt, someone fumbles late to give away a game, someone
throws a back-breaking pick. You get the idea. The offense should be better
with the nation’s best and most experienced offensive line and skill position
players galore, while the defense will gain some bite with Avalos running the
show. Thibodeaux is a freak athlete and will impact things by himself – add in
Scott and Dye and a secondary that is criminally underrated and you have the
makings of an Oregon D circa 2012-14. The schedule is the one thing that gives
pause, but it would not be a shock to this corner if the Ducks somehow navigate
choppy waters and find themselves playing in the CFP. For now, we’ll just say
best in the Pac-12.
10 FLORIDA GATORS
OFFENSE: MULTIPLE
Well, that
was fast.
The improvement
shown by Florida, not only in the win column (+6) but on offense (points up by
13 per game, yards up by 90 per game) was nothing short of amazing, and should
be attributed mostly to the hire of Dan Mullen, who had already shown himself
to be an offensive guru of sorts after making Mississippi State competitive and
fun to watch.
Mullen
transformed the culture, allowed his players to play loose and free instead of
uptight, and really got results out of QB Feleipe Franks, who had been a
journeyman prior to 2018. The 6-6, 240-pounder completed over 58.4 percent of
his passes (up by nearly 4 percent) at the same time increading his YPA (from
6.3 to 7.6).
It’s logical to assume that Franks will improve even more in year
two under Mullen, especially with the embarrassment of riches he has at
receiver. The Gators
are as deep as anyone in America, with the ability to cycle through as many as
seven guys. Van Jefferson is the most accomplished of the group, scoring 6 TDs
on 35 grabs last year, and is joined by emerging Trevon Grimes, do-it-all
speedster Kadarius Toney and seniors Freddie Swain, Joshua Hammond and Tyrie
Cleveland. Any combination could be lined up on the field at a given time, and
all present different issues for opposing defenses. Tight end Kyle Pitts (6-6)
is an inviting red zone target, but he can also get down the seam and create
mismatches.
The ground
game returns leading rusher Lamical Perine (826 yards, 7 TD, 6.2 YPC) and
welcomes back speedster Malik Davis, who missed all but three games due to injury.
Sophomore Dameon Pierce could also get into the act.
The true barometer
of how well Florida plays this season will be measured up front. The Gators lost
four starters and will fill the void with three juniors and a redshirt
freshman. That doesn’t sound like a recipe for success in the man’s world of
SEC trench warfare, but it’s the path Florida has chosen. It will be
interesting to see if they can maintain top 25 rankings in YPC with such
turnover.
DEFENSE: 3-4
Todd
Grantham has proven to be one of the best defensive coordinators in America,
and Florida’s ascent into the top 25 in six categories in 2018 was the best evidence.
The Gators were 20th in scoring defense and 13th against
the pass and return eight from last season.
Jabari
Zuniga has teased his potential but now may be ready to break out. The senior
had 11 TFL and 4 QBH as a first-year starter last season, has a high motor and
high skill level. Louisville transfer Jon Greenard will be a boost in the experience
department, and he’s also adept at playing the run.
David Reese
has been good for a couple of seasons now, and his 77 tackles is tops among
Florida returnees. He sometimes gets lost in coverage but is physical in the run
game.
The
secondary is loaded, with cornerback CJ Henderson (38 tackles, 5 TFL, 7 PBU, 2
INT) worthy of All-America consideration. Brad Stewart and Jeawan Taylor are
veterans at safety, and Trey Dean will man the all-important STAR position, a
LB/S hybrid that puts him all over the field.
If the most
improvement comes between years one and two, then this Florida defense could be
in for a big-time season.
BREAKOUT
PERFORMER: RB Malik
Davis, who likely won’t start over incumbent Lamical Perine, but he has
shiftiness, can catch the ball out of the backfield and can really go once he’s
through the hole. Adds a big-play component to UF’s ground attack and will have
many chances in 2019.
IMPACT
NEWCOMERS: TE Keon
Zipperer, OG Ethan White, LB Jonathan Greenard (Louisville transfer, injured
last year)
TOUGHEST
GAMES: Auburn (O 5),
at LSU (O 12), vs Georgia (N 2), Florida State (N 30)
FUN
NUMBERS: 0.9, the
sack rate on passing downs (second-and-8 or more, third-or-fourth-and-5 or
more) for the Gators in 2018, the lowest in the nation. A stark contrast from
2017, when the passing downs sack rate was 9.8 percent (98th
nationally)
OVERVIEW:
Gators fans had
confidence in Dan Mullen to erase the misery that was the Jim McElwain “era”
(short though it may have been), but even the most optimistic Florida backer
couldn’t have seen a six-game jump. Mullen transformed Franks from liability to
weapon, and actually made the UF passing attack dangerous. Florida signed some
great skill players, but the biggest signee may have been DC Todd Grantham, who
allows the unit to keep continuity. Losing him would have been a big blow. The
offense should take another step forward, and the defense is always good. Is
Florida ready to take the next step, from 10 wins to 11 – which would likely
mean an SEC East championship? Maybe. But even if they aren’t, it’s apparent that
Florida is a player on the national scene as long as Mullen is around.
