It really is startling to see Florida holding injured guys out then rushing them back for UK

[JHB4UK]

In the old days the UK game was a time Florida would sit out guys with dings to rest them for Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia/LSU. This season Florida will be bringing back their star starting cornerback Hargreaves after sitting out against ECU for UK.

Also their star freshmen left tackle Martez Ivey will be making his college debut against us after having minor knee surgery only 4 weeks ago or so. Interesting spot to throw a true frosh with a questionable leg in, on the road protecting a still-rotating quarterback situation on the blind side. I'd expect quite a few more exotic blitzes this week from that side of the UF offense. We have already shown a lot of that this year, with Westry rushing from the boundary corner spot effectively last game.

 

[Gator Fever]

Ivey is an unknown at this point when it comes to pass protection. He was real good in HS but they were mostly a running team. Watching KY it looks like you guys blitz a lot but don't have a great pass rush without blitzing like you did last season with those NFL guys.

 

[Nuke99m]

This game is a must win in order for Florida to make a bowl. They have games against Fla Atlantic and Vandy that should be wins. Their next 5 games after UK are UT,Ole Miss, @Missouri, @LSU and UGA. They also go to USCjr and then end with Fla St.

 

[Smashcat]

The worm turns.

 

[3kidsandme]

Ivey is an unknown at this point when it comes to pass protection. He was real good in HS but they were mostly a running team. Watching KY it looks like you guys blitz a lot but don't have a great pass rush without blitzing like you did last season with those NFL guys.

Yea so far the pass rush has been a work in progress. We have athletes at olb 3 of the top 4 being frosh. We get Jason Hatcher back this game from suspension so he should give us a boost.

 

[Rhavicc]

Ivey is an unknown at this point when it comes to pass protection. He was real good in HS but they were mostly a running team. Watching KY it looks like you guys blitz a lot but don't have a great pass rush without blitzing like you did last season with those NFL guys.

Hatcher is our best pass rusher and we get him back this week for the first time this season. Also, in a 3-4, you have to blitz players to generate a real pass rush. Most of your pressure will obviously come from the linebackers, and the jobs of the d-line isn't the same as it is in a 4-3.

 

[DACats86]

In the old days the UK game was a time Florida would sit out guys with dings to rest them for Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia/LSU. This season Florida will be bringing back their star starting cornerback Hargreaves after sitting out against ECU for UK.

Also their star freshmen left tackle Martez Ivey will be making his college debut against us after having minor knee surgery only 4 weeks ago or so. Interesting spot to throw a true frosh with a questionable leg in, on the road protecting a still-rotating quarterback situation on the blind side. I'd expect quite a few more exotic blitzes this week from that side of the UF offense. We have already shown a lot of that this year, with Westry rushing from the boundary corner spot effectively last game.

Losing to UK will not set well with the Gator faithful. McElwain knows this. But, rushing players back from injury to (try to) win one game will likely result in long-term (bad) consequences...

 

[Dakota25]

If Florida wants to play guys coming off an injury, aren't at 100%, and playing for the first time this season then my confidence gets an even greater boost.

 

[Gator Fever]

Hatcher is our best pass rusher and we get him back this week for the first time this season. Also, in a 3-4, you have to blitz players to generate a real pass rush. Most of your pressure will obviously come from the linebackers, and the jobs of the d-line isn't the same as it is in a 4-3.

Were those DEs last season on KY hybrid DE/LBs that were getting good pressure?

 

[KWilt43atbuzz]

The worm turns.

Smash, The worm not only turns but it Booms as well...

 

[TBCat]

Ivey is an unknown at this point when it comes to pass protection. He was real good in HS but they were mostly a running team. Watching KY it looks like you guys blitz a lot but don't have a great pass rush without blitzing like you did last season with those NFL guys.

Hard to say right now on that. So far that's correct but our best pass rusher has been out due to suspension. Hatcher has the talent to do everything Bud did last year. So far he hasn't been given the chance so he's still unproven. If Jason becomes the pass rusher that Bud was then you will see less blitzing. Otherwise we will have to blitz to get a pass rush. The two outside guys that UK used up to this point are more run defenders than pass defenders.

 

[Rhavicc]

If Florida wants to play guys coming off an injury, aren't at 100%, and playing for the first time this season then my confidence gets an even greater boost.

Pretty much. Starting linebacker reinjured himself, so there's an incredibly small chance that he plays this week.
People are saying Ivey is going to make their line look better, but 5 star or not, he's an offensive tackle coming back from a surgically repaired knee injury, playing his first snaps in a college football game, and an SEC away game at that. If I'm Eliot, I'm attacking him early and often. I think Garrett Johnson will be a challenge for Hargreaves as well.

Were those DEs last season on KY hybrid DE/LBs that were getting good pressure?

Yeah, but Kentucky played the 4-3 for the better part of the season last year, and Dupree and Smith were both on the d-line.

 

[TheBigBluePrint]

I don't want to sound out of touch with reality and I know history is against what I'm about to say, but I truly think this game is much more of a MUST win for Florida than it is to UK. I see it as a huge STATEMENT opportunity for that Cats, but as a MUST win for Florida.

 

[TAYLOR1027]

I think Florida is bringing back the key guys for a couple reasons. Ivey was a minor surgery, it was to clean up things in his knee, his return time was never very long, my guess is that it was to clean up his meniscus. Granted Ivey is unproven still, but we need every man we can get on the Oline. VHIII practiced all last week and then come Thursday or Friday he goes to questionable. My guess he that it wasn't a serious injury but why aggregative/make worse vs a lesser team (even though it almost cost us). We also have guys returning from suspension.

The main reason though (I think) is that this game is now a big game. We all know that in the past this was easy W for Florida. There is no doubt that UK has turned things around and is on the rise. If Florida wants any chance to win the east this is a must win.. a 5-3 record could easily win the east this year, so why not bring key players back. If they were to not bring them back it would show that we weren't concerned/did think we could win the east.

 

[ea6tigger]

Ivey could have returned last week but it didn't make sense. I think your reading too much into guys coming off injuries. Its not so much about UK being good, which you are, as it is the natural progression of injured players recovering. Having said that, Ivey has held his own against a D-line far better than UK could ever hope to field. I don't think anyone at UF is too concerned about UKs D-line, UF has other more significant things to worry about versus UK.

 

[instaGATOR]

In the old days the UK game was a time Florida would sit out guys with dings to rest them for Tennessee/Alabama/Georgia/LSU. This season Florida will be bringing back their star starting cornerback Hargreaves after sitting out against ECU for UK.

Also their star freshmen left tackle Martez Ivey will be making his college debut against us after having minor knee surgery only 4 weeks ago or so. Interesting spot to throw a true frosh with a questionable leg in, on the road protecting a still-rotating quarterback situation on the blind side. I'd expect quite a few more exotic blitzes this week from that side of the UF offense. We have already shown a lot of that this year, with Westry rushing from the boundary corner spot effectively last game.

#1 CB VH-3 ***** was not, and is not, being rushed anywhere for anybody.
He has practiced all week and so he was cleared to return for the rest of the season, not just for the UK game. He only had a slight hammy anyway. Junior FS K.Neal ('freakizoid) was also out for the first two games with a late August hammy, but he's also been cleared to play.

Same for LT Ivey, he's cleared. All they did 4 weeks+ ago was clean up a problem that he's been playing with since HS. Now he's good to go, or he won't play, just like he hasn't played in the first 2 games. And while Ivey will likely play, he probably wont be the starter, just in the playing rotation.

IF any of them show any signs of a problem during the pre-game warmups, then they won't play in the game. That's how it's done with Mc running the show.


75 - AA LT Mason Halter 6-8 297 Sr 3L - (with 38 career starts at LT)
78 - #2 LT David Sharpe 6-6 355 So 1L ***** Played LT in 6 2014 games
73 - #1 LT Martez Ivey 6-5 302 Fr ***** Top 5/300, UA-AA The 'Opening'
74 - #155 RT Fredrick Johnson 6-6 305 Fr *** - 7A All State (way under-rated)

 

[instaGATOR]

I don't want to sound out of touch with reality and I know history is against what I'm about to say, but I truly think this game is much more of a MUST win for Florida than it is to UK. I see it as a huge STATEMENT opportunity for that Cats, but as a MUST win for Florida.

Are you new???

Every SEC game is a must win for both teams in the game.
And even more so if it's a divisional game, which it is.

IMOHO, there is nothing 'special' about this game, it's just another important SEC divisional game for both teams, that both need and want to win.

 

[instaGATOR]

Losing to UK will not set well with the Gator faithful. McElwain knows this. But, rushing players back from injury to (try to) win one game will likely result in long-term (bad) consequences...

Build a 'straw man' and then set him on fire....

 

[instaGATOR]

If Florida wants to play guys coming off an injury, aren't at 100%, and playing for the first time this season then my confidence gets an even greater boost.

So bet the farm, it's a sure thing this time around....

 

[Dakota25]

So bet the farm, it's a sure thing this time around....

There is logic to my post. I am not saying it's a sure thing but I am confident UK can win this game. My team is good and is more than capable of beating an unranked team at home. The main thing intimidating UK fans is the streak. I don't care about it.

 

[instaGATOR]

No, there is rampant speculation in your post and it does not go with the facts.
Florida is not playing any players that are not 100%.

I don't care about the streak either, as it won't be out on the field suited up.

I agree UK is capable of the win, as is UF, and that's why we play the game.
Playing for the 1st time this season is about as important as the streak.
A player either has talent and he can pay, or he doesn't. Everyone starts their careers with a 1st college game at some point, it's what you do with that opportunity that counts.

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

So bet the farm, it's a sure thing this time around....

I'll take the cats and the points for what. Say 50$$ or I'll take the cats straight up for my 50$ vs your 100$

 

[Dakota25]

No, there is rampant speculation in your post and it does not go with the facts.
Florida is not playing any players that are not 100%.

I don't care about the streak either, as it won't be out on the field suited up.

I agree UK is capable of the win, as is UF, and that's why we play the game.
Playing for the 1st time this season is about as important as the streak.
A player either has talent and he can pay, or he doesn't. Everyone starts their careers with a 1st college game at some point, it's what you do with that opportunity that counts.

Guys coming off an injury normally need some games to re adjust to game speed and tempo. Also talent is a factor but if a player is green he will make more mistakes. As a player gets more experience he will make less mistakes.

 

[Bigbluediddy63]

No, there is rampant speculation in your post and it does not go with the facts.
Florida is not playing any players that are not 100%.

I don't care about the streak either, as it won't be out on the field suited up.

I agree UK is capable of the win, as is UF, and that's why we play the game.
Playing for the 1st time this season is about as important as the streak.
A player either has talent and he can pay, or he doesn't. Everyone starts their careers with a 1st college game at some point, it's what you do with that opportunity that counts.

I appreciate your logical posts backed up with facts, (albeit cherry picked but what partial fan doesn't do that) and a few people around here could learn a thing or two, but that being said, I believe we get the win on Saturday night for no other fact than that momentum seems to be on our side and not so much on Florida's right now, at least that is how I interpret things, and I have definitely put my money where my mouth is.

 

[ukalum1988]

#1 CB VH-3 ***** was not, and is not, being rushed anywhere for anybody.
He has practiced all week and so he was cleared to return for the rest of the season, not just for the UK game. He only had a slight hammy anyway. Junior FS K.Neal ('freakizoid) was also out for the first two games with a late August hammy, but he's also been cleared to play.

Same for LT Ivey, he's cleared. All they did 4 weeks+ ago was clean up a problem that he's been playing with since HS. Now he's good to go, or he won't play, just like he hasn't played in the first 2 games. And while Ivey will likely play, he probably wont be the starter, just in the playing rotation.

IF any of them show any signs of a problem during the pre-game warmups, then they won't play in the game. That's how it's done with Mc running the show.


75 - AA LT Mason Halter 6-8 297 Sr 3L - (with 38 career starts at LT)
78 - #2 LT David Sharpe 6-6 355 So 1L ***** Played LT in 6 2014 games
73 - #1 LT Martez Ivey 6-5 302 Fr ***** Top 5/300, UA-AA The 'Opening'
74 - #155 RT Fredrick Johnson 6-6 305 Fr *** - 7A All State (way under-rated)

Are you trying to impress/intimidate with the re-counting the number of stars your players were rated at coming out of HS? It's not working.

I'm interested to see how the young Gators respond in their first road game in a hostile environment. As long the Cats aren't so jacked up at playing this game that they lose their focus, I like UK's chances in this one. Does that guarantee a UK win? Of course not. OTOH, the Gators are far from a sure bet to win this one; that's what makes it so interesting and compelling.

 

[instaGATOR]

"Guys coming off injury normally"
Sorry, their is no normal to it, they are either ready to play or they're not.
Our offense goes against a Top SEC defense every day in practice, green is bs.
Just like 'game experience' is no guarantee on any given day (or night).

Old 'MO' is another fallacy imoho. If it even exists, it highly fickle.
Being a $$ gambler is irrelevant to the outcome of the game.

I was doing nothing more than given the readers here some information on the Gators, being either 'impressed or intimidated' is optional and up to you.
I do agree that the game and it's outcome is both interesting and compelling, so let's just T it UP and go for it.

 

[TheBigBluePrint]

Are you new???

Every SEC game is a must win for both teams in the game.
And even more so if it's a divisional game, which it is.

IMOHO, there is nothing 'special' about this game, it's just another important SEC divisional game for both teams, that both need and want to win.

Am I new? Weak. Because of the history of the series (which requires familiarity that 'newness' doesn't provide) this game has been an EXPECTED win for Florida for a long time. Saying it is a MUST win for Florida insinuates that Florida is not in a position to EXPECT this will be the same ole roll into Lexington win. They MUST win and bring it to do so.

Think Tubby (if you have been around long enough to know who that is/was). Florida was a MUST win for Tubby because of how far he took down the BBall program. Since Cal, it's been pretty much an Expected win, other than the year Florida went 3-0 against the Cats. Context is everything.

 

[Gary4UK]

Ivey is an unknown at this point when it comes to pass protection. He was real good in HS but they were mostly a running team. Watching KY it looks like you guys blitz a lot but don't have a great pass rush without blitzing like you did last season with those NFL guys.

No, but we have a much better back field this year... We don't need as much pressure on the QB, except for an occasional blitz...

 

[PhattyJ4UK]

I see you ignored my offer of a little wager