Florida Gators

Editor’s note: GatorNation is counting down the top five moments of Florida’s 2012 season this week. They could be plays, drives, quarters or decisions, but regardless of what they are, they are the significant moments that shaped the season.

We begin with No. 5: Adjustments

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- For 30 minutes, it looked like nothing had changed.

Florida wasn’t getting much done on offense, a mobile quarterback was shredding the defense, and the Gators were trailing. Everything that happened in the first half of the Texas A&M game on Sept. 8 looked a lot like what happened in 2011 -- and that wasn’t good at all.

Then Will Muschamp and the rest of the coaching staff got together at halftime, figured a few things out, and made some adjustments. Thirty minutes after that, the Gators had won the game. More importantly, Muschamp had won over his players -- and the fans, too.

“We did a better job in the second half of controlling the line of scrimmage,” Muschamp said after the 20-17 victory. “That was the difference. There’s no magic potion.”

It was really an uncomplicated fix. Aggies QB Johnny Manziel had 182 of Texas A&M’s 269 yards of total offense in the first half because UF’s rushers were getting out of their lanes and losing contain. Muschamp told them to stay in their gaps and play their assignments.

Simple, but extremely effective.

The Aggies managed just 65 yards of offense in the second half. Manziel ran for 19 yards and threw for 32. Texas A&M, after not punting in the first half, punted six times and went 0 for 6 on third down.

The defensive performance overshadowed what the Gators did in the fourth quarter on offense. UF outgained Texas A&M 104-37 and scored the go-ahead touchdown with 13:05 to play. The Gators then forced consecutive three-and-outs and gave up two first downs on the Aggies’ next possession before taking possession at their own 14 with 3:13 to play.

UF ran the ball eight consecutive times to run out the clock.

That gave the Gators their first victory in six tries when trailing at halftime in Muschamp’s tenure. It also removed any doubt that Muschamp can coach, which is something about which fans were wondering after a 7-6 record in 2011. Some players might have been wondering, too.

It was even more significant because it came on the road in Texas A&M’s first Southeastern Conference game. In addition to setting the tone for the rest of the season, it was the first indication that the Gators might be much better than people outside the program anticipated.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida’s loss to Georgia on Saturday resulted in the Gators falling five spots in the BCS standings, but they’re not out of the national championship race yet. Mathematically, anyway.

Florida is now No. 7 -- behind Alabama, Kansas State, Notre Dame, Oregon, LSU and Georgia -- but still has a game against No. 9 Florida State remaining. Plus, the Gators are still alive in the SEC’s Eastern Division race. They can win the title by beating Missouri on Saturday and having Georgia lose to either Ole Miss or Auburn in the next two weeks.

UF (7-1, 6-1 SEC) can’t lose again or the Gators won’t have any chance to reach the No. 2 spot to earn a berth in the BCS Championship Game. There’s still a month of the season and several critical games remaining.

• Kansas State must still play Texas.
• Notre Dame must still play Southern California.
• LSU must still play Alabama and Mississippi State.
• Oregon still has the meat of its schedule remaining: Southern California, Stanford and Oregon State.

One remote scenario would involve LSU, Notre Dame, Oregon and Kansas State each losing a game while the Gators win out. Then Georgia loses a close game to Alabama in the SEC title game and the Gators claim the No. 2 spot despite losing to Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.

However, if the Gators do win they’ll likely get an at-large berth into a BCS bowl.

"We just have to look at the next game," LB Jon Bostic said. "We’ve got another SEC opponent and just keep going. We’ve been playing well all season. We’ve just got to take it one game at a time."

Florida’s 17-9 loss to Georgia resulted in a tumble from No. 3 to No. 8 in the Associated Press Top 25, USA Today coaches’ poll, and Harris Interactive College Football Poll. The latter two are parts of the BCS formula. UF dropped from No. 1 to No. 4 in the computer polls, which is the final part of the formula.

• Watch: Sorting out unbeatens after No. 1 Alabama

GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After back-to-back brutal Octobers, the Florida Gators will get a break in 2013.

When the SEC office released the league schedule Thursday afternoon, it didn’t include an October gauntlet filled with ranked teams. In fact, only one of the Gators’ three opponents presently have winning records heading into this weekend’s games.

UF opens the month with a home game against Arkansas on Oct. 5. The Razorbacks started this season in the top 10 but are just 3-4 with two of their victories coming against Auburn and Kentucky. The Gators play at LSU on Oct. 12 in what should be a battle of two highly ranked teams.

The Gators then play at Missouri against a Tigers team that is struggling in its transition to the SEC. UF will then have a bye before playing Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla., on Nov. 2.

While not an easy stretch, it’s certainly a little softer than this October (LSU, South Carolina and Georgia) and last October (LSU, Alabama, Auburn and Georgia).

Here’s a look at UF’s 2013 SEC schedule:

Sept. 21: TENNESSEE
Comment: The Gators have won eight in a row against the Vols, who likely won’t have QB Tyler Bray or WRs Justin Hunter and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Sept. 28: at Kentucky
Comment: UF has beaten Kentucky 26 consecutive times and won 38-0 in Gainesville this season.

Oct. 5: ARKANSAS
Comment: The Razorbacks will begin the post-Tyler Wilson era with a new coach. Could it be former UF defensive coordinator Charlie Strong?

Oct. 12: at LSU
Comment: The Tigers remain the Gators’ permanent Western Division opponent -- for now, anyway.

Oct. 19: at Missouri
Comment: This will be the Gators’ first trip to Columbia, Mo.

Nov. 2: vs.Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla.
Comment: This series has gotten a lot more intense lately. Next week the Bulldogs will try to win back-to-back games in the series for the first time since they won three in a row (1987-89).

Nov. 9: Vanderbilt
Comment: Florida hasn’t lost to the Commodores since 1988.

Nov. 16: at South Carolina
Comment: The Gators are just 4-3 against their former coach heading into this Saturday’s matchup.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- ESPN's "College GameDay" is headed to Gainesville for Saturday's key Southeastern Conference Eastern Division matchup between Florida and South Carolina.

This will be UF's 35th appearance on "College GameDay" and the first time the show has been in Gainesville since previewing the Florida-Florida State game on Nov. 28, 2009. "GameDay" has already featured two UF games this season: the Gators' back-to-back road victories over Texas A&M on Sept. 8 and Tennessee on Sept. 15.

The Gators are 23-11 in games in which "College GameDay" has been on site (7-4 at home, 16-7 on the road).

Florida (6-0, 5-0 SEC) is atop the Eastern Division and is coming off a 31-17 victory over Vanderbilt. South Carolina (6-1, 4-1) is a game behind the Gators. The Gamecocks lost 23-21 this weekend at LSU.

A kickoff time for Saturday's game has not yet been announced.

ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s receivers/tight ends.

The starters: WR Andre Debose (RJr.), WR Frankie Hammond, Jr. (RSr.), WR Quinton Dunbar (RSo.), TE Jordan Reed (RJr.)

The backups: WR Latroy Pittman (Fr.), WR Solomon Patton (Jr.), WR Stephen Alli (RJr.), WR Raphael Andrades (Fr.), TE Clay Burton (RFr.), TE Kent Taylor (Fr.), TE Colin Thompson (Fr.), TE Tevin Westbrook (RFr.)

Comment: Hammond is UF’s most experienced receiver (41 catches). Debose has proven big-play ability (27.0 yards per catch and 4 TDs of at least 60 yards in 2011). But neither has been very consistent. Dunbar had a solid spring. The star of the spring, though, was Pittman, an early enrollee who was easily the most impressive receiver. He’ll get the start on opening day if he continues to progress. A.C. Leonard was Florida's most talented tight end but transferred after an arrest and suspension. Reed is still working through the transition from quarterback. Taylor is intriguing because he’s not an inline tight end and could be used as a wide receiver if needed.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida might not have end/linebacker Ronald Powell for another month or so as he continues his rehab from a torn left ACL, but defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is still encouraged that the Gators' pass rush will improve.

It's mainly a result of just having more bodies, which allows for more rotation and fresher players. And fresher players make better pass rushers, especially in the fourth quarter with the game on the line. The addition of freshmen Jonathan Bullard and Dante Fowler Jr., plus the return of linebacker Neiron Ball from injury, bolsters a group that didn't get consistent pressure on the quarterback until the final two games of the season.

"Even with Ronald not being available to us yet, with the addition of Ball, with the addition of [Lerentee] McCray moving down [to end from linebacker], with the addition of Bullard, with the addition of Fowler, and the existing guys, it seems like the lines [for pass-rush drills in practice] are longer," Quinn said Thursday night. "That’s a good thing."

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ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s running back/fullback.

The starters: RB Mike Gillislee (Sr.) and FB Trey Burton (Jr.)

The backups: RB Mack Brown (Rso.), RB Chris Johnson (So.), RB Omarius Hines (RSr.), RB Matt Jones (Fr.), FB Hunter Joyer (So.)

Comment: UF needs a back that is capable of carrying it 20 times and running between the tackles, and Gillislee won the starting job in the spring by proving he can stay healthy and be a reliable pass-blocker. He has produced in the limited opportunities he’s had (920 yards in three season). If he falters, Brown and Jones likely will get the next chance. Burton is versatile enough to line up at several positions, including wildcat QB. Joyer is a bruising blocker and short-yardage runner.

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ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each week, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze the players, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s quarterbacks.

The starters: Jeff Driskel (So.) OR Jacoby Brissett (So.)

The backups: Tyler Murphy (So.), Skyler Mornhinweg (Fr.)

Comment: Driskel and Brissett will continue their competition into fall practice -- and likely into the early part of the season as well. Neither has been able to separate from the other, which means neither one has been overly impressive. Both seem to have a grasp of new coordinator Brent Pease’s offense and things ran smoothly in the spring from an operational standpoint. Driskel is a better runner while Brissett has better pocket presence. Don’t be surprised if the Gators end up playing both throughout the bulk of the season, although coach Will Muschamp would rather play only one.

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ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s offensive line.

The starters: LT Xavier Nixon (Sr.), LG James Wilson (RSr.), C Jonotthan Harrison (RJr.), RG Jon Halapio (RJr.), RT Matt Patchan (RJr.)

The backups: D.J. Humphries (Fr.), Trip Thurman (RFr.), Jessamen Dunker (Fr.), Kyle Koehne (RJr.), Ian Silberman (RSo.), Sam Robey (RSr.), Tommy Jordan (RFr.), Chaz Green (RSo.)

Comment: This unit was the reason UF coach Will Muschamp called his team soft and the group responded in the spring. Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn and several defensive linemen said they noticed the OL was mentally and physically tougher. The biggest questions are whether Wilson and Patchan can stay healthy and if Nixon is going to play like he did as a freshman or struggle as he has the past two seasons. Green will play a lot at tackle in a rotation anyway.

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ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s special teams.

The starters: K Caleb Sturgis (RSr.), P Kyle Christy (So.), KR/PR Andre Debose (RJr.)

The backups: K Austin Hardin (Fr.), K Brad Phillips (Jr.), P Todd Fennell (RFr.), KR Mike Gillislee (Sr.), KR Solomon Patton (Jr.), PR Frankie Hammond, Jr. (RSr.), PR Marcus Roberson (So.)

Comment: Sturgis is one of the nation’s top kickers and should become the school’s all-time leader in field goals and field goal attempts. Christy won the job midway through last season after smoothing out some mechanical issues. Debose is arguably the nation’s best kickoff returner -- he already has taken three back for TDs -- but the situation is more fluid at punt returner. Several players will get work there.

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ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s the secondary.

The starters: CB Marcus Roberson (So.), S Matt Elam (Jr.), S Josh Evans (Sr.), CB Loucheiz Purifoy (So.)

The backups: CB Jaylen Watkins (Jr.), CB Jeremy Brown (RJr.), S Cody Riggs (Jr.), S Jabari Gorman (So.), S De’Ante Saunders (So.), S Valdez Showers (RFr.), DB Willie Bailey (Fr.), CB Brian Poole (Fr.), S Rhaheim Ledbetter (Fr.), S Marcus Maye (Fr.)

Comment: The secondary is loaded with a good mix of young and veteran talent. Elam is a potential first-round NFL draft pick. Roberson started 10 games last season before going down with a neck injury. Purifoy had a great spring and pairs with Roberson to give the Gators a pair of big corners. Watkins, Saunders and Riggs all started games last season. Gorman had a good spring and led all tacklers in the spring game. Plenty of opportunities on special teams for the other freshmen.

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GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Florida's first three football games of 2012 will be televised on ESPN.

The Gators' season opener against Bowling Green on Sept. 1 will kick off at 3:30 p.m. The following week UF plays at Texas A&M for the first Southeastern Conference game in Aggies history. That game also will kick off at 3:30 p.m.

The Gators will play at Tennessee on Sept. 15 at 6 p.m.

ESPN’s GatorNation is previewing each position leading up to the start of the season with a short video. Each Friday until the season kicks off, Michael DiRocco and Jeff Barlis will analyze a position group, tell you who is starting and why, and provide a breakdown of the depth at the position. This week it’s linebackers.

The starters: SLB Michael Taylor (RSo.) OR Antonio Morrison (Fr.), MLB Jonathan Bostic (Sr.), WLB Jelani Jenkins (RJr.)

The backups: Lerentee McCray (RSr.), Darrin Kitchens (Jr.), Neiron Ball (RSo.), Jeremi Powell (Fr.), Gideon Ajagbe (RSo.), Kedric Johnson (RJr.), Alex McCalister (Fr.), Bryan Cox, Jr. (Fr.)

Comment: Bostic and Jenkins are stalwarts who are tackling machines. UF coach Will Muschamp, however, challenged them in the spring to start making more big plays. That’s directly related to Jenkins dropping six interceptions last season. Taylor is a versatile player who can play all three spots and Morrison was an early enrollee who drew praise for his physical play. If or when DE/LB Ronald Powell returns from his ACL tear this season, McCray will move back to strongside linebacker.

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