...Florida ranks 13th in run defense, 2nd in pass defense, and 2nd in total defense. We are 13th in rushing offense, 104th in passing offense, and 53rd in total offense. Florida is more vulnerable against the run than the pass, and we are much better at running it than throwing it. So to stay in the game, we'll have to be able to run it on them. Looking closer at Florida's run defense, here is what they have done each week against Division 1A:
Troy - Gave up 73 yards on the ground. However, Troy was down 35-3 at halftime, and Troy is the NCAA's 69th best rushing team.
UT - Gave up 117 net yards on the ground. I watched much of this game, and UT was able to run it on them especially in the first half, with Hardesty, even though Florida knew UT was no threat to throw with Crompton. UT is the 35th best rushing offense.
UK - Kentucky had 86 net yards. Again, UK was down 31-7 at halftime and had to abandon the run. They are 27th in rushing offense.
LSU - Picked up 66 net yards. We have all seen how LSU struggles to run it. They are 89th in rushing, and just couldn't get any offense going.
Arkansas - Ran for 133 net yards. They are 76th in rushing, but had some success at 3.9 yards per carry.
I think this is the key to the game. The defense has to keep it close, and we have to be able to run it, and I think we can. Florida has not faced a rushing offense as good as ours yet. And in competitive game situations, UT (averaging 184 rushing yards per game) and Arkansas (averaging 134 yards per game) had some success. In fact, Arkansas was right at their average. We average 219, and if we can get close to that, we'll have a chance to win.
Troy - Gave up 73 yards on the ground. However, Troy was down 35-3 at halftime, and Troy is the NCAA's 69th best rushing team.
UT - Gave up 117 net yards on the ground. I watched much of this game, and UT was able to run it on them especially in the first half, with Hardesty, even though Florida knew UT was no threat to throw with Crompton. UT is the 35th best rushing offense.
UK - Kentucky had 86 net yards. Again, UK was down 31-7 at halftime and had to abandon the run. They are 27th in rushing offense.
LSU - Picked up 66 net yards. We have all seen how LSU struggles to run it. They are 89th in rushing, and just couldn't get any offense going.
Arkansas - Ran for 133 net yards. They are 76th in rushing, but had some success at 3.9 yards per carry.
I think this is the key to the game. The defense has to keep it close, and we have to be able to run it, and I think we can. Florida has not faced a rushing offense as good as ours yet. And in competitive game situations, UT (averaging 184 rushing yards per game) and Arkansas (averaging 134 yards per game) had some success. In fact, Arkansas was right at their average. We average 219, and if we can get close to that, we'll have a chance to win.
