Postgame Analysis: Florida Gators (1-3, 0-1) v. Miami Hurricanes (4-0, 0-0)

Florida gives an effort but schematics and QB play continue to doom an organization that looks to be headed for change.

By Loren Meadows, GatorBaitMedia.com, Football Analyst, Host-The Lowdown with Loren Meadows

Coach Billy Napier (Chris Spears photo)

The Florida Gators spent the week preparing for what many thought would be a blood bath at the hands of the Miami Hurricanes who were fresh off a 49-12 dismantling of the same USF team that beat the Gators the week before. It turns out that the Gators defense chose to ignore the outside noise and did their best to neutralize a Miami offense that had Carson Beck in the conversation for Heisman finalist. Unfortunately for the Gators the offense, its play caller, and it’s driver have been marred in a perfect marriage of perplexing operation for nearly four years that seems to have run its course.

Miami was clearly the better football team at every level. The problem is the same issues continue to plague Florida year in and year out and when paired with facing a superior team the Gators cannot afford a poor gameplan coupled and/or poor play. At 1-3 the confidence in Billy Napier, DJ Lagway, and the offense as a whole has reached an all-time low and the conversation needs to shift from an imaginary wish of an OC to who the next man to lead the Gators could be. Talking season has come and gone and as Miami showed us last night, the Gators have fallen further and further behind.

What We Thought: The Florida Gators had played well enough on defense at LSU to snatch an upset win by making Garrett Nussmeier look pedestrian and hold LSU to one offensive touchdown. On Saturday night, while being outmatched upfront, Carson Beck had struggled against the Gators in past games and if the Gators could neutralize the Miami rushing attack led by Mark Fletcher Jr. and an enormous offensive line.

The issue would be with an offense that has been anything but impressive, and the scheme and rhythm seem to be ill-suited for a quarterback that is talented but still learning the position. Napier would need to possibly ditch the two tight-end sets that have become his calling card and Achilles heel. If Napier could present a clearer picture for Lagway and the offensive line could hold up, the Gators could utilize their speed in the backfield and perimeter and manufacture meaningful points for the first time this season.

What We Got: Once again, Florida failed to put a complete performance together for the third straight week. While the defense was decent, the Gators surrendered close to 200 yards rushing to the duo of Mark Fletcher Jr. and CharMar Brown. Florida did its best to make life tough on Carson Beck but only got home one time with one sack and in interception that at that point seemed to breathe life into a Florida team that was wandering in the wilderness for most of the game. 

The problem was the offense that failed to produce any traction in the first half and continues to contribute to the lack of production by the most important position in sports. The Gators were 0-13 on third down while only gaining 80 rushing yards and 61 yards passing. Napier’s offense was again without versatility and continued to be outmatched due to personnel sets that fail to produce matchup superiority against quality competition. While Lagway’s struggles continue to be the focal point, an offensive line that was thought to be one of the country’s best has totally underperformed and yielded four sacks and seven tackles for loss. According to Pro Football Focus, only one offensive lineman, Jake Slaughter, received a pass blocking grade of over 40% (74.6) with two linemen Bryce Lovett and Damieon George receiving a grade of zero. The way this offense prepares and operates will most likely be the undoing of the Napier organization and his tenure as head coach at Florida. 

The Skinny: The countdown has started in Gainesville; the only question is what will be the collateral damage that goes with the inevitable separation. While many have begun to think that Lagway’s departure would be best as well, it’s my belief that his growth is being stunted by a system that lacks QB friendliness and creativity. “I tried to take what the defense gave me”, stated Lagway when describing yet another poor performance. My take on things is that Lagway and his offensive colleagues deserve better.

There is an army of Jordan shirts walking around the Heavener Center and I have long wondered what exactly some of them do? This is not to insult the job description or performance of those same folks but at 20-22 their presence has yielded very little where it matters most. At face value this is a team that would be very appealing as a stock but as any financial advisor would tell you the best stocks frequently underperform. When Napier is relieved of his duties which I believe will follow a road trip to College Station, I would encourage Scott Stricklin to be a little selfish and choose wisely. First because of self-preservation, and second because it may be the difference between keeping Lagway and some of his compadres in the fold. I’m sure Napier is a great guy and the players seem to love him. Unfortunately he has failed to make that same connection with the fan base and the end zone, and to quote Sean Connery in the Untouchables, “there Enders the lesson”.

Final Score: Miami 26 Florida 7 (Prediction-Miami 27 Florida 17)