Florida Gators: Mister Cobble
ESPN’s GatorNation brings you the 30 things you need to know about Florida’s upcoming 2012 season. For 30 weekdays we’ll preview games, talk about trends, spotlight players and positions, and give you pretty much everything you need to know to be ready for the season before the Sept. 1 opener against Bowling Green.
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- GatorNation is previewing each of Florida’s 2012 opponents. Today is Kentucky (Sept. 22 in Gainesville).
KENTUCKY
2011 record: 5-7 (2-6 SEC).
Coach: Joker Phillips, third season (11-14).
Series record: Florida leads 44-17.
Top returners: QB Max Smith (85-153-4, 819 yards, 4 TDs); WR La’Rod King (40 catches, 598 yards, 7 TDs); DT Mister Cobble (33 tackles); S Martavius Neloms (71 tackles, 1 INT).
Did you know? In the annual rivalry with Louisville, the team that has run for more yards has won 16 consecutive times.
Scouting the offense: Kentucky was last in the SEC in scoring and passing in 2011, and it may not get much better. The OL is inexperienced and there’s no depth, Neloms is a sophomore who started three games last season, and King is the only receiver on the roster who caught more than 10 passes last season.
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AP Photo/James CrispAs a backup quarterback, Max Smith didn't have much success in a 48-10 loss to Florida at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., last year.
AP Photo/James CrispAs a backup quarterback, Max Smith didn't have much success in a 48-10 loss to Florida at Commonwealth Stadium in Lexington, Ky., last year.KENTUCKY
2011 record: 5-7 (2-6 SEC).
Coach: Joker Phillips, third season (11-14).
Series record: Florida leads 44-17.
Top returners: QB Max Smith (85-153-4, 819 yards, 4 TDs); WR La’Rod King (40 catches, 598 yards, 7 TDs); DT Mister Cobble (33 tackles); S Martavius Neloms (71 tackles, 1 INT).
Did you know? In the annual rivalry with Louisville, the team that has run for more yards has won 16 consecutive times.
Scouting the offense: Kentucky was last in the SEC in scoring and passing in 2011, and it may not get much better. The OL is inexperienced and there’s no depth, Neloms is a sophomore who started three games last season, and King is the only receiver on the roster who caught more than 10 passes last season.
Now that you've seen some SEC West notes delivered by the SEC office, here are some SEC East notes for your viewing pleasure:
FLORIDA
FLORIDA
Florida returns 10 starters on defense where the Gators ranked eighth nationally in total defense (299.5 yards per game) in 2011. The Gators ranked second in the nation in third-down defense in 2011, holding opponents to 48-for-176 (.273).- Florida returns 14 of its top 15 tacklers for the 2012 season, including leading tackler senior linebacker Jon Bostic, who tallied 94 total tackles, 10 tackles for a loss and three sacks. Also returning for the Gators are their second and third leading tacklers, junior safety Matt Elam who recorded 78 tackles, a team-leading 11 tackles for a loss and a team-high-tying two interceptions, and junior linebacker Jelani Jenkins who totaled 75 tackles and a team-best six pass break-ups.
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Michael DiRocco
Michael DiRocco came to ESPN.com in 2011 after spending 10 and a half years covering UF for the Florida Times-Union. He lives in Middleburg, Fla., with his wife and two sons. Email him at espndirocco@gmail.com.
Derek Tyson
Derek Tyson joined ESPN.com in 2011. He worked as a football and recruiting analyst for GatorCountry.com before joining ESPN. He currently resides in Gainesville, Fla. Email him at derektysonespn@gmail.com.