Thoughts of the Day: August 30, 2021

A few thoughts to jump start your Monday morning:

FEELING GOOD ABOUT THE GATORS ON A MONDAY

Florida’s 2021 season opens up Saturday night against Florida Atlantic. I believe this could be a year in which the Gators catch everyone by surprise. Here are three reasons why I’m feeling good about the Gators on a Monday morning.

Receivers: There is no Unicorn nor is there the man with rubber bands instead of ligaments in his knee, which has everything to do with why Lindy’s picks the UF receivers as sixth best in the SEC and why Phil Steele has them seventh in the SEC, 27th nationally. Florida’s receivers will be no worse than second best in the league this year. Count on it. Jacob Copeland and Justin Shorter will be in the hunt for All-SEC honors and Xzavier Henderson, Trent Whittemore, Ja’Markis Weston and Ja’Quavion Fraziers will see the football a lot. These guys have size, speed and they’re going to catch a lot of passes. Write down the name Nick Elksnis. The freshman tight end is going to be an absolute stud, sooner and not later. UF won’t throw nearly as much, but the threat of the run is going to make them very explosive and productive.

Defensive depth: Because there wasn’t a lot of experienced depth, a lot of kids had to play last year. The kids have experience now and it is going to pay off in a big way because the Gators aren’t going to have significant dropoff when they rotate people in like they did in 2020. I especially like the depth on the front seven which was a real problem last year. The Gators are three or four deep at every position. Everybody has a pretty good idea who the top 9-10 guys going to be but here are six backups who I think will be difference-makers if they can provide quality snaps when they rotate in – DE Princely Umanmeilen, DT Jalen Lee, DE Dante Zanders, OLB Antwaun Powell, OLB Lloyd Summerall III, and ILB Derek Wingo.

The O-line: This isn’t like it is up in Tuscaloosa where if one NFL prospect goes down he’s replaced by another one because beyond seven guys this line is pretty fragile, but if the Gators stay healthy I think the O-line will have its best year since 2018. In 2018, the Gators averaged 213.15 per game rushing (5.27 per attempt, best since 2009) and 213.5 passing (only 18 sacks and 7.6 per attempt, both the best figures in years). If you add the 34 games Stewart Reese started at Mississippi State before transferring to UF, the Gators have a combined 89 career starts on the O-line, which is more than the 2018 line (80). I am not sold on Jean Delance at right tackle, but if he can show improvement as a pass blocker then I’m willing to be convinced. I think we’ll know by the end of the South Florida game if he’s up to the task. If he isn’t I expect Stewart Reese to slide outside (He started both tackle positions at Mississippi State) and Josh Braun to take over at right guard.

WHERE THEY WERE RANKED IN HIGH SCHOOL: WR

This is the top ten wide receivers coming out of high school every year since 2010. You will find a few household names in there, but you’ll also find a lot of busts.

2010 1. Kyle Prater (Hillside, IL), Southern Cal; 2. Mike Davis (Skyline, TX), Texas; 3. Da’Rick Rogers (Calhoun, GA), Tennessee; 4. Darius White (Fort Worth, TX), Texas; 5. Justin Hunter (Virginia Beach, VA), Tennessee; 6. Chris Dunkley (Pahokee, FL), Florida; 7. Markeith Ambles (McDonough, GA) Southern Cal; 8. Ivan McCartney (Hollywood, FL), West Virginia; 9. Chris Jones (Dangerfield, TX), Texas; 10. T.J. Jones (Gainesville, GA), Notre Dame

2011 1. George Farmer (Gardena, CA), Southern Cal; 2. Jarvis Landry (Lutcher, LA), LSU; 3. Trey Metoyer (Whitehouse, TX), Oklahoma; 4. Sammy Watkins (Fort Myers, FL), Clemson; 5. Charone Peake (Roebuck, SC), Clemson; 6. DeAnthony Arnett (Saginaw, MI), Tennessee; 7. Kasen Williams (Sammamish, WA), Washington; 8. Marvin Shinn (Mobile, AL), Alabama; 9. Jamal Turner (Arlington, TX), Nebraska; 10. Victor Blackwell (Santa Ana, CA), Southern Cal

2012 1. Dorial Green-Beckham (Springfield, MO), Missouri; 2. Stefon Diggs (Olney, MD), Maryland; 3. Thomas Johnson (Dallas, TX), Texas A&M; 4. Deontay Greenberry (Fresno, CA), Houston; 5. Amari Cooper (Miami, FL), Alabama; 6. Chris Black (Jacksonville, FL), Alabama; 7. Cayleb Jones (Austin, TX), Texas; 8. Germone Hopper (Charlotte, NC), Clemson; 9. Durron Neal (St. Louis, MO), Oklahoma; 10. Bryce Treggs (Belleflower, CA), California

2013 1. LaQuon Treadwell (Crete, IL), Ole Miss; 2. Robert Forster (Monaca, PA), Alabama; 3. Robbie Rhodes (Fort Worth, TX), Baylor; 4. Jalin Marshall (Middletown, OH), Ohio State; 5. Derrick Griffin (Rosenburg, TX), Miami; 6. James Quick (Louisville, KY), Louisville; 7. Stacy Coley (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Miami; 8. Steven Mitchell Jr. (Mission Hills CA), Southern Cal; 9. Damore’ea Stringfellow (Moreno Valley, CA), Washington; 10. Demarcus Robinson (Fort Valley, GA), Florida

2014 1. Speedy Noil (New Orleans, LA), Texas A&M; 2. Malachi Dupre (New Orleans, LA), LSU; 3. Ermon Lane (Homestead, FL), Florida State; 4. KD Cannon (Mount Pleasant, TX (Baylor); 5. Josh Malone (Gallatin, TN), Tennessee; 6. Travis Rudolph (West Palm Beach, FL), Florida State; 7. Drake Harris (Grand Rapids, MI), Michigan; 8. Artavis Scott (Tarpon Springs, FL), Clemson; 9. Johnnie Dixon (Palm Beach Gardens, FL), Ohio State; 10. Allen Lazard (Urbandale, IA), Iowa State

2015 1. Calvin Ridley (Pompano Beach, FL), Alabama; 2. Deon Cain (Tampa, FL), Clemson; 3. George Campbell (Tarpon Springs, FL), Florida State; 4. Christian Kirk (Scottsdale, AZ), Texas A&M; 5. Tyron Jonson (New Orleans, LA), LSU; 6. Damarkus Lodge (Cedar Hill, TX), Ole Miss; 7. Preston Williams (Hampton, VA), Tennessee; 8. Trent Irwin (Newhall, CA), Stanford; 9. Daylon Charlot (Patterson, LA), Alabama; 10. Da’Vante Phillips (Miami, FL), Florida State

2016 1. Demetris Robinson (Savannah, GA), California; 2. Tyler Vaughns (LaPuente, CA), Southern Cal; 3. Tyrie Cleveland (Houston, TX), Florida; 4. A.J. Brown (Starkville, MS), Ole Miss; 5. Devin Duvernay (Sachse, TX), Texas; 6. Nate Craig-Myers (Tampa, FL), Auburn; 7. N’Keal Harry (Chandler, AZ), Azizona State; 8. Michael Pittman Jr. (Thousand Oaks, CA), Southern Cal; 9. Austin Mack (Fort Wayne, IN), Ohio State; 10. Kyle Davis (Lawrenceville, GA), Auburn

2017 1. Donovan Peoples-Jones (Detroit, MI), Michigan; 2. Tee Higgins (Oak Ridge, TN), Clemson; 3. Jerry Jeudy (Pompano Beach, FL), Alabama; 4. Joseph Lewis (Los Angeles, CA), Southern Cal; 5. Jeff Thomas (East St. Louis, MO), Miami; 6. Trevon Grimes (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Ohio State; 7. Tyjon Lindsey (Las Vegas, NV), Nebraska; 8. D.J. Matthews Jr. (Jacksonville, FL), Florida State; 9. DeVonta Smith (Amite, LA), Alabama; 10. Jhamon Ausbon (Houston, TX), Texas A&M

2018 1. Justin Shorter (Monmouth Junction, NJ), Penn State; 2. Amon-Ra St. Brown (Anaheim, CA), Southern Cal; 3. Terrace Marshall (Bossier City, LA), LSU; 4. Derion Kendrick (Rock Hill, SC), Clemson; 5. Jaylen Waddle (Belleaire, TX), Alabama; 6. Devon Williams (Lancaster, CA), Southern Cal; 7. Justyn Ross (Phenix City, AL), Clemson; 8. Jordyn Adams (Cary, NC), North Carolina; 9. Marquis Spiker (Murrieta, CA), Washington; 10. Brennan Eagles (Houston, TX), Texas

2019 1. Jordan Haselwood (Ellenwood, GA), Oklahoma; 2. Garret Wilson (Austin, TX), Ohio State; 3. Theo Wease (Allen, TX), Oklahoma; 4. George Pickens (Hoover, AL), Georgia; 5. Dominick Blaylock (Marietta, GA), Georgia; 6. Kyle Ford (Orange, CA), Southern Cal; 7. Frank Ladson (Miami, FL), Clemson; 8. Jake Smith (Scottsdale, AZ), Texas; 9. Joe Ngata (Folsom, CA), Clemson; 10. Jeremiah Payton (Neptune Beach, FL), Miami

2020 1. Julian Fleming (Catwissa, PA), Ohio State; 2. Kayshon Boutte (New Iberia, LA), LSU; 3. Demond Demas (Tomball, TX), Texas A&M; 4. Rakim Jarrett (Washington, DC), Maryland; 5. Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Rockwall, TX); 6. Jordan Johnson (St. Louis, MO), Notre Dame; 7. Gary Bryant Jr. (Corona, CA), Southern Cal; 8. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Fort Lauderdale, FL), Georgia; 9. Arian Smith (Lakeland, FL), Georgia; 10. Gee Scott Jr. (Sammamish, WA), Ohio State

2021 1. Emeka Egbuka (Steilacoom, WA), Ohio State; 2. Jacorey Brooks (Bradenton, FL), Alabama; 3. Troy Franklin (Menlo Park, CA), Oregon; 4. Mario Williams (Plant City, FL), Oklahoma; 5. Agiye Hall (Valrico, FL), Alabama; 6. JoJo Earle (Aledo, TX), Alabama; 7. Don’te Thornton (Baltimore, MD), Oregon; 8. Xavier Worthy (Fresno, CA), Texas; 9. Deion Smith (Jackson, MS), LSU; 10. Christian Leary (Orlando, FL), Alabama

OVER, UNDER, AROUND AND THROUGH THE SEC #1 Alabama: Sophomore linebacker Quandarrius Robinson was arrested for DUI after an accident in Tuscaloosa … The oddsmakers like Alabama by 18.5 points over Miami.

Saturday’s game: vs. Miami in Atlanta

Arkansas: Wide receiver Treylon Burks remains questionable for the season opener … Arkansas has named five captains: LB Grant Morgan, S Jalen Catalon, S Joe Foucha, QB KJ Jefferson and LT Myron Cunningham … The Hogs are 19.5-point favorites to win the season opener.

Saturday’s game: vs. Rice

Auburn: UAB transfer Tony Fair has moved into the starting NT possession and Vandy transfer Donovan Kauffman will start at nickel … HBC Bryan Harsin, who has been in isolation due to COVID-19, is expected to return to practice today … The Tigers are 37-point favorites in the season opener.

Saturday’s game: vs. Akron

#5 Georgia: The Bulldogs are 3-point underdogs to No. 3 Clemson, but three experts from CBS (Kevin Carter, Aaron Murray and Brian Jones) like the Bulldogs to get the win in the high profile opener.

Saturday’s game: vs. Clemson in Charlotte

Kentucky: All six Kentucky football players charged with first degree burglary have waived their right to a preliminary hearing, so the case will go directly to the grand jury where prosecutors will argue their case closed-door and if they convince 12 jurors, an indictment will be handed down … The Wildcats are 29.5-point favorites to win their opener against Terry Bowden and Louisiana-Monroe.

Saturday’s game: vs. Louisiana-Monroe

#16 LSU: With Hurricane Ida approaching the Louisiana coast, LSU has relocated to Houston for its final preparations for Saturday’s game in Pasadena against UCLA … The Tigers are 3.5-point favorites in the season opener.

Saturday’s game: at UCLA

Mississippi State: Las Vegas likes Mississippi State by 23.5 points over Louisiana Tech.

Saturday’s game: vs. Louisiana Tech

Missouri: Missouri is a 13.5-point favorite to knock off former UF head coach Old Yeller McElwain in the season opener.

Saturday’s game: vs. Central Michigan

Ole Miss: Tim Brando predicts Ole Miss will pull off at least one shocker this year because Lane Kiffin will exploit the matchups so well. “At Ole Miss, he is going to beat either Bama, either LSU, either A&M.” Brando calls Kiffin the “Spurrier of this generation.”

Labor Day game, September 6: vs. Louisville in Atlanta

South Carolina: Zeb Norland who was a graduate assistant just a couple of weeks ago, could be the starter for Saturday’s opener. Norland, who came to South Carolina from North Dakota State, started his career at Iowa State.

Saturday’s game: vs. Eastern Illinois

Tennessee: Running back Tee Hodge has placed his name in the transfer portal. He is a former 3-star prospect who played in one game last year as a true freshman … The Vols are 34-point favorites to win their opener in the debut of HBC Josh Heupel.

Saturday’s game: vs. Bowling Green

#6 Texas A&M: Defensive end Michael Clemons has been suspended indefinitely after his arrest for unlawful carry of a weapon, giving false information to police, driving with an invalid license and possession of more than two ounces of marijuana. Clemsons is expected to be suspended for the entire 2021 season … The Aggies have been established as 29.5-point favorites to win the season opener.

Saturday’s game: vs. Kent State

Vanderbilt: The Commodores seem to have settled on a right side of the O-line combination of Ben Cox at RG and Bradley Ashmore at RT.

Saturday’s game: vs. East Tennessee State

ONE FINAL PITHY THOUGHT: The buzzards aren’t circling yet over the football complex in Lincoln, Nebraska. They’re merely perched on the power line wires, patiently waiting for September 11 to arrive. That’s when Nebraska will be poleaxed by Oklahoma in Norman, at which point the fire Scott Frost snowball will start picking up speed to become an avalanche. Barring a miracle of Jesus healing 10 lepers proportions, the Cornhuskers are doomed for another bad season. Frost has to be asking himself, “What the hell was I thinking when I left UCF?” So what happened? Why has Frost failed at his alma mater? Did he forget how to coach or is it a case of Nebraska needing a miracle worker to revive the program? I’m of the opinion that Frost picked the wrong place and nothing short of a coach like Nick Saban or Urban Meyer is going to convince the kind of kids you can win championships with to spend four or five years in Lincoln. None of the kids the Huskers recruit remember that Tom Osborne posted 25 straight seasons with nine or more wins and won three national championships. Scott Frost does know how to coach, but unless they’re patient enough to give him another 3-4 years, he doesn’t have a chance to turn things around.