USM wrap-up: Is Tide’s defense going back to the future?
The ever-lovable Joe Kines brought to Alabama a defensive strategy based around a concept of bending, but not breaking. And depending on the Alabama fan one interviews today, that description either encourages praise, or the gritting of teeth.
Kines’ strategy played out much differently than Nick Saban’s ever has, and had a different attitude. Kines believed in pushing plays toward the sidelines and using superior speed to make the play. Offenses, Kines reasoned, would eventually make a mistake and kill their own drives so long as Alabama didn’t give up a big play along the way. He was playing the percentages.
Will Muschamp is fighting for his coaching life at Florida. If the Gators aren’t significantly more competitive than they’ve been the last three years, this will be the end of the line for the animated Muschamp. Unfortunately for him, if the Gators finish at the predicted 7-5 with losses to Georgia, South Carolina and Florida State, it probably won’t be enough. On top of that, this team is dealing with massive turnover and uncertainty at several key positions.
Continue reading …2013 Fall Previews: Florida Gators
August 23, 2013 Comments Off on 2013 Fall Previews: Florida Gators
The Gators did a good job of sneaking up on the rest of the SEC in 2012. They’ll sneak up on no one this season. Florida successfully made the transition back to a pro-style team from the spread-option attack of Urban Meyer’s staff, in part by getting back to tough, fundamental football. The 2013 Florida team will have to rebuild its defense and find playmakers on offense now that several important, long-time veterans have moved on to the NFL. Florida will need to lean on its defense, especially early in the year.
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Will Muschamp takes over for 2011 has a first-time head coach, which typically means a steep learning curve in the SEC. The Gators still have QB questions, there’s a dearth of playmakers on offense and the defense is basically being rebuilt.
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