We'll get a glimpse of our legitimacy in the Florida game. They are going to be tougher in every category. That's the problem.
I've seen posts and threads around here asserting Miami will be superior to both FSU and Florida next season. That may sound cute subjectively, while looking at returning players, and it's possible, but probably no more than 10-15% likelihood.
Those teams allow 2 full yards less per play, which is massive, indicative of an entirely different mindset throughout the program. Losing players here and there hardly erases the gap in ruggedness and defensive intensity. When the ball is snapped in that game, the Gators will get more penetration on punt coverage than we expect, they'll be in the backfield more than we anticipate, and so forth. It's going to be a game-long struggle for our fast skill kids to overcome the opponents' edge in basic strength, and recent seasoning in huge games. Texas A&M was somewhat similar last year, gashing Florida early before being worn down. Our best chance, by far, is to stun the Gators early and then have just enough to hold them off before they wear us down. Florida actually benefits from being exposed by Louisville and all their skill players. Their focus throughout the offseason will be to prevent a rerun.
That's simply the way I evaluate things as a handicapper, always looking for the situational angle.
