Postgame Analysis: Florida Gators (3-0,1-0) v. Auburn Tigers (2-1, 0-1)

Florida works the cut for a key win on the road and its first in the state of Alabama since 1999.

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

AUBURN , AL

Philo has been ready to go each week (Chris Spears photo)

What We Thought: Florida came onto the plains equipped with some of the best playmakers in the SEC. While there was concern that Florida may not have been as battled tested as Auburn the thought was that if Florida could handle one of the more ruckus crowds in the SEC they would have an opportunity to get it done Saturday night.

Florida would most certainly feature Jaden Baugh in the run game but also as a receiver where he has shown an ability to be as effective at times. Vernell Brown and Dallas Wilson would look to feast on an Auburn secondary that ranks last in the SEC in pass defense but had been good against the run. With that thought in mind this would be the first test for transfer Aaron Philo to manage the Florida offense against a vicious Auburn defense and arguably the best he had seen as a starter.

Defensively Florida’s sole purpose would be to not let Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown get lose and turn the game into the And 1 mixtape on grass. Florida had struggled to get to the quarterback in its first two contests and Brown who is as big as and faster than Tim Tebow has the ability to be more accurate on the move than in the pocket. Could Florida get Auburn off the field at key times to keep the high octane Auburn offense off the field and maximize the number of offensive possessions for the offense. 

What We Got: Florida is better than advertised on offense and everyone gets involved. Aaron Philo was 15 of 22 for 204 yards and one touchdown completing passes to seven different receivers Including all three of Florida’s main three backs. Philo displayed his comfort with the offense and the faith that the coaching staff has in the transfer quarterback. Philo noted the transparency that the Florida coaching staff has had with him allowing him to express what plays he likes or dislikes and allowing him to play with confidence each week. Of course Jaden Baugh would make his usual impact on the game but not as expected. The thought was that Auburn would limit Baugh in the run game but Baugh’s versatility would allow him to affect the game as a receiver. Florida did look to Baugh as a receiver early (an early drop led to an INT), but again sometimes it’s best to lean on what you do best. Baugh was slowed early in the game on the ground but as Florida seemed to lean on Auburn particularly with the stretch zone, Baugh found running lanes including a long of 53 and three touchdowns to continue his Heisman worthy season. When asked if there was anything to the Heisman pose that Baugh has made commonplace after scores he stated he more than embraces a campaign to take home college footballs highest honor. On the perimeter Brown and Wilson were equally as impressive combining for 9 catches for 160 yards. Wilson was equally impressive with his blocking including an impressive water cooler block on an Auburn defender that drew a penalty for unnecessary roughness but sent a message to the Auburn secondary that they were in for it last night.

Defensively Florida got the stops when they needed. Byrum Brown did throw for 271 yards and 3 touchdowns but an early interception was key in settling Florida into the game and the confidence of the defense. Florida also lived in the Auburn backfield to the tune of seven sacks and nine tackles for loss. Edge Emmanuel Oyedabajo was key with 2.5 sacks while Jayden “The Freak” Woods showed up big with 3.5 sacks and leading the Gators in tackles. While Brown would escape the trap a few times Florida was able to handle the tempo of Auburn and get Brown on the ground when necessary while allowing just 102 yards on the ground with the  Auburn backs combining for just 40 yards total. The secondary will need to improve as the lack of situational awareness and gameplan execution is starting to plague this group. Auburn inexplicably completed a late hail Mary where both Florida defenders went for the interception instead of knocking the ball down and Brown’s other two touchdowns came against man coverage exacerbating some deficiencies there as well.

The Skinny: As big as this win was for Florida there are some things that have to be fixed and fixed soon. Florida has quadrupled the number of penalties from its in initial game of the season from four to 16 last night. Those penalties extended drives and caused Florida points in a game where that many penalties can doom most road teams. Sumrall was visibly concerned postgame in his team’s lack of discipline and expressed that if this continues his squad would find it difficult to win many going forward. Sumrall also stated that he wants his team to take a UFC style approach to putting teams away by “working the cut” to finish games. Not looking to land the haymaker but methodically wear your opponent down when they in essence have a cut over their eye to take them to the mat and force submission. Florida answered a lot of questions last night. They were more than ready to play football on the road as a team, and its signal caller all but put to bed any talk that the quarterback competition was unfair or went to the wrong player. Florida now has a stretch of both road and home games that feature four ranked football teams and three that at this point would be in the CFP. Sumrall does not run from it and because of that this team runs to it. They embrace it all, including a late night ride, not flight back to Gainesville from the plains. While a bus trip can be tough, a bus trip after a win is a lot easier.

Final Score: Florida Gators 44 Auburn Tigers 39 (Prediction Florida 27 Auburn 21)