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Andy Katz is a believer.

Final Four 19/20

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I believe Franks and Jones will both take significant “steps” forward this season. I see a running QB as a key and strategic position of strength for UF going into this season. That takes pressure off an offensive line, versus protecting a pocket passer.

The trick will be for our QB to have the patience and vision to work with a line in progress. That’s why I expect to see more leadership out of the QB position this season for the Gators.

We are also certain to lean on a deep stable of running backs. It makes sense to just go out and see if the Miami and other defenses can stop the run. From there, we have the receivers and flankers to exploit a defense.

We may have a bit of a rag tag offensive line to start the season. As players, they don’t have to be great, just consistent, and we can put some yards and points on this Cane defense.

So yes, run to open the passing game. We have the receiving corp and flankers to test every dimension of the Miami defense.

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The Xs and Os are what determines the outcome of a game. With so much uncertainty around all teams going into a season it will be a couple weeks of discovery. There’s some relevancy to last year’s stats, but not much. Especially for Franks who is expected to make the normal leap into a second year of improved signal calling in the SEC.

I think we will discover that the Florida Gators will continue improving consistency and play execution under Mullen in year two. Franks and the offense is poised to be the biggest beneficiary of the continuity of coaching.

That’s also true with defense. Grantham, staff and most key players are back. Kicking and special teams are poised to contribute their fair share to a winning formula. I’m not sure we’ll win the SEC East, but beating Miami in game one is expected for this team.

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I will not concede any game or season to Georgia. Certainly not this one.

As a program, we’re definitely on the right track and gaining momentum. The recruiting rankings are just one of many indicators. When a top recruit like Justin Fields later leaves your class, it is not reflected in a ranking.

It comes down to familiarity and confidence in the system and coaches, offense or defense. We have the personnel and talent to compete. Top recruits know there’s stability in the coaching situation at Florida and a higher probability they can be successful.

I expect another step forward for UF this season, if not for only having most of the coaching staff intact. That always helps recruiting.

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I’m still looking for payback on that ’84 Tampa game. It wasn’t enough to beat them in Miami in ’85. Gators will win big in Orlando to open the 2019-20 season.

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What team could loose so many good experienced players and actually get better? Florida. We hit the lottery jackpot when it comes to gaining personnel – great personnel.

Just how quickly they can mesh and play together at a high level is the question. The pieces are here for this season.

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I’m with you here Corey. Feel for Billy on building something and watching it get taken away for money. Just goes to show there’s plus and minus aspect to every job, no matter how much you are or aren’t paid.

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On a cursive glance, there’s potential for this game to get out of hand for Miami. I’m thinking conservatively, 24-10 Gators.

The offensive game plan for Florida is obvious. Run effectively, go deep into the play clock before snaps and mix in low-risk passing to keep the Miami defense honest. Initially Miami will stuff the box and take it’s chances on pushing around a newly formed Gator offensive line. Franks and our stable of running backs are more than capable of making a defense pay for that strategy.

It’s not that hard for Mullen through the game plan and play-calling to minimize reliance on the line.

On the other side of the ball, I see Florida at a clear advantage. The Florida defense came back largely intact (especially with the same coordinator and scheme) and will make it a very tough day for a Miami offense led by sophomore Martel, or freshmen Williams to generate points.

Just how desperate Miami gets in the course of the game will determine defensive points, a factor I have not completely accounted for in a score prediction.

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There’s been many a shade of blue used through the years. Now it’s a bit more official.

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When you consider the talent (minutes) that left the team, a seasoned veteran like Blackshear can restore physical presence, experience and leadership in our front court. The importance of that, with all of the hot-shot freshmen coming in, can not be underestimated.

For the rest of the team, there’s nothing but change and transition going on anyway. That makes it a good time and situation for Blackshear to get in and be a key part of the team.

Just think, we can play big line-ups. Blackshear reminds me of Horford and his game. This is going to be an interesting year for Coach Mike White and Gator Basketball.

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Young man far from home, I can see a lot of reasons for him to get back to the other coast where he’s known and will stand out on the field more.

Most of the roster attrition at UF is due to the high talent level we have in most positions. No matter how highly recruited the kid out of HS, we have more talented and capable players in front of most of them.

It’s difficult to come to UF and play as a freshman. That’s a good thing in my assessment. This year we should see a boost in the Mullen effect as players are familiar with the coaches, terminology and more knowledgeable of the scheme.

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Nothing like a home state advantage. That’s why we must rule recruiting in Florida and seriously threaten in every one of our border states. It takes a bit of longevity for a UF coaching staff to develop the relationships needed to help make that happen.

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Gator bait.

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It’s easy to look ahead. Our first game will be challenging for an o-line certain to improve with seasoning. We have experience, talent and depth in our other Gator units to lean on.

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That’s a reasonable prediction. So is 10-2 for a Gator fan.

That puts a lot of pressure on the offensive line to perform from game one.

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