Official Game Thread Week 11: Florida Gators vs South Carolina Gamecocks 11/12/22

[Escambia94]

The Florida Gators meet the South Caroline Gamecocks for the 43rd time since 1911. The Gators won 24 of last 31 since 1964.

Gainesville: Florida leads, 16-2
Columbia: Florida leads, 12-8-1
Neutral: Florida leads, 1-0-2

The Cocks have a signature win over #13 Kentucky, even though the Cats were without Will Levis.

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT	W-L	HIGH PASS	HIGH RUSH	HIGH REC
Sat, Sep 3	vsGeorgia State	W 35-14	1-0 (0-0)	Rattler 227	Bell 39	Brooks 88
Sat, Sep 10	@16 Arkansas	L 44-30	1-1 (0-1)	Rattler 377	McDowell 35	Wells Jr. 189
Sat, Sep 17	vs1 Georgia	L 48-7	1-2 (0-2)	Rattler 118	McDowell 33	Brooks 53
Sat, Sep 24	vsCharlotte	W 56-20	2-2 (0-2)	Rattler 187	Lloyd 169	Brooks 67
Thu, Sep 29	vsSouth Carolina State	W 50-10	3-2 (0-2)	Rattler 212	Lloyd 80	Brooks 61
Sat, Oct 8	@13 Kentucky	W 24-14	4-2 (1-2)	Rattler 177	Lloyd 110	Wells Jr. 66
Sat, Oct 22	vsTexas A&M	W 30-24	5-2 (2-2)	Rattler 168	Lloyd 92	Stogner 46
Sat, Oct 29	vsMissouri	L 23-10	5-3 (2-3)	Rattler 171	Lloyd 30	Stogner 63
Sat, Nov 5	@Vanderbilt	W 38-27	6-3 (3-3)	Rattler 200	Bell 56	Wells Jr. 110

The Gators have a signature win over #7 Utah.

DATE	OPPONENT	RESULT	W-L	HIGH PASS	HIGH RUSH	HIGH REC
Sat, Sep 3	vs 7 Utah	W 29-26	1-0 (0-0)	Richardson 168	Richardson 106	Pearsall 67
Sat, Sep 10	vs 20 Kentucky	L 26-16	1-1 (0-1)	Richardson 143	Johnson Jr. 62	Henderson 50
Sat, Sep 17	vs South Florida	W 31-28	2-1 (0-1)	Richardson 112	Johnson Jr. 103	Shorter 33
Sat, Sep 24	@ 11 Tennessee	L 38-33	2-2 (0-2)	Richardson 453	Richardson 62	Shorter 155
Sun, Oct 2	vs Eastern Washington	W 52-17	3-2 (0-2)	Richardson 240	Pearsall 76	Shorter 75
Sat, Oct 8	vs Missouri	W 24-17	4-2 (1-2)	Richardson 66	Johnson Jr. 86	Shorter 20
Sat, Oct 15	vs LSU	L 45-35	4-3 (1-3)	Richardson 185	Richardson 109	Shorter 71
Sat, Oct 29	vs 1 Georgia *	L 42-20	4-4 (1-4)	Richardson 271	Etienne 53	Henderson 110
Sat, Nov 5	@ Texas A&M	W 41-24	5-4 (2-4)	Richardson 201	Johnson Jr. 100	Pearsall 65

The Gators have shown considerable growth this season despite having a worse record to this point compared to the Gamecocks.

	USC	UF
PPG/F	31.1	31.2
PPG/A	24.9	29.2
YD/F, TOT	368.3	430.4
YD/F, Pass	231.9	221.2
YD/F, Rush	136.4	209.2
YD/A, TOT	371.7	441.4
YD/A, Pass	199.9	256.1
YD/A, Rush	171.8	185.3

The Gators are favored by 8 and the over/under is 55. Originally I predicted a 30-27 victory for the Gators. If the Gators from the second half of the Aggie game shows up then they could cruise to a 37-27 victory.

 

[DRU2012]

Yesterday's Gators SHOULD beat the Cocks.
But the "Ole!"-style tackling Gators of so many earlier games this season, especially on 3rd downs, THAT Gator team can lose to ANYONE.
I'd sure like to see us WIN out from here--and it ISN'T beyond the reach of that "GatorTeam-to-BE". Oh well, all we can do is settle back and watch.

 

[DRU2012]

The Florida Gators meet the South Caroline Gamecocks for the 43rd time since 1911.

The Cocks have a signature win over #13 Kentucky, even though the Cats were without Will Levis.
DATE OPP RESULT
11/5/22 @VAN W38-27
10/29/22 vsMIZ L23-10
10/22/22 vsTA&M W30-24
10/8/22 @#13 UK W24-14
9/29/22 vsSCST W50-10

The Gators have a signature win over #7 Utah.
DATE OPP RESULT
11/5/22 @TA&M

Yesterday's Gators SHOULD beat the Cocks.
But the "Ole!"-style tackling Gators of so many earlier games this season, especially on 3rd downs, THAT Gator team can lose to ANYONE.
I'd sure like to see us WIN out from here--and it ISN'T beyond the reach of that "GatorTeam-to-BE". Oh well, all we can do is settle back and watch.

10/29/22 vs#1 UGA L42-20
10/15/22 vsLSU L45-35
10/8/22 vsMIZ W24-17
10/2/22 vsEWU W52-17

Team Stats
Stat. USC. UF
PPG/F 31.1 31.2
PPG/A 24.9 29.2
Tot Yd/F 368.3 430.4
Yd Pass 231.9 221.2
Yd Rush 136.4 209.2
Tot Yd/A 371.7 441.4
Pass Yd/A 199.9 256.1
Rush Yd/A 171.8 185.3

The Gators are favored by 8 and the over/under is 55. Originally I predicted a 30-27 victory for the Gators. If the Gators from the second half of the Aggie game shows up then they could cruise to a 37-27 victory.

After everything we've seen BEFORE this latest round of games, and after watching the (eventual)A&M beat-down/replay a SECOND time, I now believe we are NOT so far from completing that "Gator Rebuild" after all.
That's right: I think there is clearly some work still to be done, moves to be made, fundamental changes to be made in talent turnover, team chemistry and adapting overall scheme accordingly the rest of THIS year and moving quickly and crucially into the next...
But judging by the progress I am seeing now QUARTER-BY-QUARTER with this team under Billy Napier, well, I don't wanna leap TOO far ahead, or overdo my newfound "qualified optimism" (otherwise referred to in certain quarters as "hope"), but YES: I am beginning to see LIGHT on the horizon!
It will depend on how recruiting wraps this cycle, and of course the degree to which Billy & Co. can keep that GOING...PLUS, in which direction do all these OTHER programs trend?
It's looking like there's a wholesale "changing of the guard" at the very top (with the make-up of the CFB Playoff at the LEAST--NOT just who is IN it, but the whole DISCUSSION of who will now comprise the "Elite"!).
We could well at least challenge, enter the "discussion" next season--and beyond that, "waaalllll, let's wait'n'SEE, boyz'n'gurlz..."

 

[DRU2012]

So.
Here we are.
THIS IS THE CROSSROADS.
If what we all saw out there in College Ststion in Saturday's 2nd Half is really what NEXT SEASON'S GATORS are what we are about to see and expect as far as who and WHAT The Florida Gator College Football Team are going to be heading into and THROUGH NEXT season, we will WIN at LEAST the next TWO games (and very possibly the finale in Tallacrappy too--the uncertainty THERE only because it's them, it's at their place--and we aren't "there" YET, kids).
After that, on to the "Whatever/Who CARES?"-Bowl, and then "recruiting and everything AFTER".
I will air any further such comments/exposition over on this "Gators first win of the Golden Era" thread I note below us here now.
(...aaannnd it turns out I shoulda figured out right up top: That's a B-BALL Thread...Unless/Until I have a specifically ROUNDBALL-related comment, I will leave that thread alone unless/until I am following them once more--which I tend to do ONLY when THEY tend to find THEIR "LEGS" JUST A BEAT BEHIND the FOOTBALL SQUAD'S "return to "The Limelight" once more--as it LOOKS Like THEY may be "About To Do"...
As I say, if we DO start this 2022-23 Winter Season well, dominate the SEC regular season and then make it to the Sweet Sixteen, I WILL (QUITE UNABASHEDLY) change my tune and START following our B-Ball squad more closely again.
We pick up 2 or 3 starting studs and the whole picture changes in a HURRY, BUT THAT ISN'T HOW THINGS WORK in Football, right???
Yep--I'm "one of THOSE kinda Gator fans"...
I do have "a long relationship with the ConDome", since shortly after its BIRTH--LOL: I ran across that Teflon roof on a dare, during a GAME, to the echoing cheers for my silhouette bouncing on their ceiling!--Stupid, irresponsible, undergrad FUN--BUT that will have to KEEP for now...
(Maybe for another day...Year? Milenium??!).

 

[Escambia94]

We already know that the key to a Gator victory is the rushing attack. The Gators are 5-0 when rushing for 210 yards, 0-4 when rushing for less than 210. This aligns with my other stat that Richardson’s passer rating is 130+ when he rushes for 100 or attempts 12 rushes against FBS opponents. He is 3-1 in such games. He is 3-0 in games where his passer rating is 130+ and he has 12 rushing attempts with 10 yards per carry.

 

[Escambia94]

This next game will be our last home game of the season, so it will be Senior Day.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1589643866940080128

 

[Escambia94]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1589997700564455424

 

[DRU2012]

We already know that the key to a Gator victory is the rushing attack. The Gators are 5-0 when rushing for 210 yards, 0-4 when rushing for less than 210. This aligns with my other stat that Richardson’s passer rating is 130+ when he rushes for 100 or attempts 12 rushes against FBS opponents. He is 3-1 in such games. He is 3-0 in games where his passer rating is 130+ and he has 12 rushing attempts with 10 yards per carry.

Note: When you stop and consider it, that last stat for AR, the "130+ passer rating and 12 rushing attempts with 10 yards per carry" one, is downright dazzling. He does that for a season and maybe we end up with a NEW statue near TT's outside The Swamp! (Not to mention a shot at our next Natty...)

 

[DRU2012]

This next game will be our last home game of the season, so it will be Senior Day.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1589643866940080128

All good ones, as it turns out: I wish them well!

 

[DRU2012]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1589997700564455424

Meant to mention this before now, E--:
Your latest "profile pic" is WAY cool!
...Meanwhile, the various details of this Senior Day, topped off by this last theme only hugely highlights how great it would be to avenge LAST season's debacle in Columbia--indeed, to in this way at least to some extent wash away the bad taste of a couple of YEARS of bad losses to "Teams we outta BEAT" in the SEC, no matter when or WHERE we play them.
Wheels up!

 

[Escambia94]

Florida is #2 in the FBS and is tied for #1 the SEC with 5.9 yards per carry this season, which is on track to tie the school record set in 2008. South Carolina is allowing 4.3 yards per carry (ninth in SEC, 90th in FBS) and 171.8 rushing yards per game (11th in SEC, 99th in FBS).

 

[Escambia94]

Across the team’s last six games, Florida is averaging 468.5 YPG, 261.3 passing YPG and 207.2 rushing YPG.

 

[Escambia94]

Richardson is one of seven FBS players (six in P5) with 1,800 passing yards and 450 rushing yards this season.

 

[Escambia94]

Florida boasts a 354-113-13 (.751) all-time record at The Swamp, holding the second-highest home winning percentage in the nation since 1990 with a 173-34 (.836) record. The Gators have outscored opponents, 7,790 to 3,363 in 207 games inside The Swamp since 1990, putting the average outcome at 37.6 to 16.2 (21.4 points).

 

[Escambia94]

Across Florida’s last six games, QB Anthony Richardson has posted a 147.2 passing effiency rating while passing for 1,416 yards (236.0 YPG), nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Comparing his first three games to his last six reveals a startling growth: his passer rating in games 1-3 is 89.0 but his rating in games 4-9 is 147.2. His season passer rating would be 159.5 without the stats from the UK and USF games. Dropping stats against UK, USF, and EWU good passer rating is 131.2.

 

[DRU2012]

Across Florida’s last six games, QB Anthony Richardson has posted a 147.2 passing effiency rating while passing for 1,416 yards (236.0 YPG), nine touchdowns and three interceptions.

Comparing his first three games to his last six reveals a startling growth: his passer rating in games 1-3 is 89.0 but his rating in games 4-9 is 147.2. His season passer rating would be 159.5 without the stats from the UK and USF games. Dropping stats against UK, USF, and EWU good passer rating is 131.2.

There's LOTS of encouraging material in your last few posts here, E--...but THIS one strikes me as the topper.
I mean, you put that with our obvious "run the damn ball!" stats, and maybe a defense that starts playing near-whole GAMES the way they played that 2nd half in College Station, and we don't just beat the Cocks in the home finale, but WIN OUT THE SEASON--INCLUDING the one in Tallahassee against the streaking Criminoles (who will likely be favored, regardless).
There are no guarantees, of course--HELL, we cannot be sure which Gator incarnation will hit the field tomorrow at 4pm Eastern, let alone all the rest...but IF the undeniable APPEARANCE of "growth" holds and is further on display in The Swamp for Senior Day, this COULD be a clear marker on the path to what we soon may BE.
In this way, tomorrow's final 2022 home game has all the signs of a clear TURNING POINT:
The Game we may well be able to look back on and say, "That's when we could really begin to believe in what this team was about to become..."
Of course, a regression to what we were as we ENTERED this season could leave us shaking our heads over a pile of stinking wreckage, too.
(LOL--Hey, it's been that kind of year...)

 

[Escambia94]

The Gamecocks will be without leading rusher Marshawn Lloyd. Lloyd ranking 10th in the SEC in rushing (556 yards) and third with nine in rushing TDs. McDowell and Beal-Smith together have about 300 yards and seven TDs. Lloyd is averaging 5.6 YPC; his backups are averaging 3.6 YPC and 4.3 YPC.

 

[Escambia94]

Steve Spurrier remains the winningest head coach at both Florida and South Carolina. He was 122-27-1 with the Gators (1990-2001) and 86-49 with the Gamecocks (2005-15).

 

[Escambia94]

Florida will recognize 18 players on "Senior Day," including nine scholarship guys including longtime starters LB Ventrell Miller, LB Amari Burney and S Trey Dean. It also includes a few guys with eligibility remaining, most notably LT Richard Gouraige, WR Trent Whittemore, RB Lorenzo Lingard and RB Nay'Quan Wright.

 

[DRU2012]

AR throws behind Piersall AGAIN. Near INT.