The Gators coaching staff should have pulled the trigger choosing a starter before the season ever started. By waiting around they project a lack of confidence and insecurity which trickles down throughout the entire team, and showed clear as day in their season opener



I have never been a fan of a 2 Q.B. system going into a game. It has been done at Florida before, but its not ideal, and its rarely successful. The fact that its been done so many times at Florida with Spurrier, and even with Urban Meyer should not be confused with the situation at hand with the 2012 Gators. The difference is night and day. What Spurrier was doing in running his 2 Q.B. systems was really done more out of a convenience he had in having an abundance of extremely capable and proven guys at the position with guys like Doug Johnson, Jesse Palmer, and Rex Grossman, all of which would go on to play in the NFL. This gave him the leisure of sitting a guy down when he was getting cold, and just putting another hot hand in. Even with Urban Meyer when he ran a limited version of a 2 Q.B. system with Tebow and Leak, again it was done more out of an abundance of talent and tailored to the specific talents of each guy. On those teams with Meyer and Spurrier, there were already established leaders on the offense and each guy knew his role, and whoever was lined up behind center the guys could have confidence in.

Such is not the case with this 2012 Florida Gators football team. There is a lack of offensive leadership and identity with this Florida team. And it all starts at the Q.B. position. Not having a clear cut #1 creates division on a team lacking confidence, as was evident in the season opener when Jeff Driskel overthrew his reciever. After coming to the sideline instead of hashing it out with Jeff on what happened, the reciever instead went and complained his case to Jacoby Brisset who ensured him he wouldnt make the same mistake, which eventually he would, badly overthrowing recievers and looking unsure of himself in the pocket. But instead of coming together and supporting each other they still look like a bunch of individuals. The fact that the Gators coaching staff lacked the confidence to pull the trigger on a starter for week one was something that trickled down and spread throughout the entire team. Because confidence is contagious, and so is uncertainty, or lack of confidence. And it showed in that Gators team that took the field last Saturday, and it almost cost them losing the game to a much weaker opponent in their season opener which would have been a devestating way to start out the season.

Lucky for the Gators, at least one guy on offense showed up to play and make a statement right out of the gates, and that was Mike Gillislee. If it wasnt for a couple of outstanding runs he has in week one, I dont know if the Gators come away with a W. He gave them a much needed injection of Gator Swagger and just enough boost to get them out of their slump. And if thats what Floridas identity is gonna be is a running team, than so be it, but they had better figure out how to convert a 3rd and short or a 4th and inches before they go hanging their hat on that. The fact is the Gators are going to have to get alot better as a unit offensivley and it all starts with them getting behind Jeff Driskel as their starting Q.B. this week against A&M. The decesion has been made and now its time to come together and rally behind him.

As for Jeff Driskel, he is going to have to start becoming the leader of this offense. And the best way to do that, is to make some plays this week against Texas A&M and win the confidence of his teammates. As bad as the Gators looked in week one against Bowling Green I still think they can turn it around in time to have a decent season. The success of the Gators is going to depend on Jeff Driskels ability to throw the ball with confidence, and create plays with his feet. He wont need to have 300 yards of passing, or complete 18-20 passes a game for Florida to be successful on offense. All he has to do is complete the easy stuff to his tight ends and H backs like Trey Burton and Jeff Reed, then hit on the deep ball 2 or 3 times a game with Andre Debose and Frankie Hammond. If he can do this combined with his ability to scramble and run for yardage, the Gators will be fine.

I think this weeks game at A&M is going to tell how the rest of the season will be for Florida. If Driskel is able to do the little things right, and the rest of the offense rallys behind him, the Gators will be successful. The Gators defense, while not having a great showing in week 1, is loaded with talent. Up front I think its safe to say they have one of the strongest and most atheletic defensive lines in the country with the potential to be truly great. Big and talented cornerbacks and strong guys in the middle with Jon Bostic and Im not to much worried about the defense, they are gonna pull it together this year. This entire season is gonna rest on the ability of Jeff Driskel to become the leader of Floridas offense. And he is gonna get his first shot as the undisputed #1 this week. Here we go.....