Florida Gators vs. Arkansas Razorbacks: Three Key Matchups to Monitor
Photo: Florida EDGE Princely Umanmielen; Credit: Alex Shepherd
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Although Saturday's matchup in the Swamp between Florida and Arkansas may not be the most exciting to a national audience, it comes at a crucial time for both programs.
A win for Florida would seal bowl eligibility for a sixth successive season and second under head coach Billy Napier. It would also give Arkansas its seventh loss, which would eliminate the Razorbacks from a bowl opportunity and make head coach Sam Pittman's seat that much hotter.
A loss would give the Gators their first home loss of the year and put Florida in risky territory for postseason play. UF plays three consecutive top-15 opponents, including a playoff contender in Florida State to end the season.
Below are three key matchups between Florida and Arkansas that could determine the victor in Gainesville. UF will look to get a much-need win, while also debuting new all-black uniforms, at noon ET on Saturday with television coverage on ESPN2.
Depleted Florida Defense vs. Mysterious Arkansas Offense
There's a mystery surrounding Arkansas' offense, and it comes at a time when Florida's defense has struggled mightily.
After firing offensive coordinator Dan Enos, head coach Shane Pittman revealed last week that former Ohio State Kenny Guiton will make his debut as a play-caller after being promoted to interim offensive coordinator. Arkansas also closed practices this week and simplified its offense by "about 30%," per Pittman.
Heading into this week, Arkansas' offense is last in the SEC in yards per game (305.9) and in the bottom four in points per game (26.5). That being said, these changes, which Pittman said he hoped would lead to the offense playing more in unison, could benefit the Razorbacks.
Not to mention, the unit has had two weeks to prepare for the changes made after a bye week. Napier noted this in his Monday press conference.
"What flavor do we get?" he said. "I think ultimately with an open date I think that magnifies that a little bit."
Arkansas could also welcome back star running back Raheim Sanders to the fold. After a 1,400-yard, 10-touchdown performance last season, the Rockledge, Fla. native has missed most of the year with a knee injury.
Florida's defense will also be without one of its leaders for the rest of the year and could be without two more on Saturday.
Napier revealed that linebacker Shemar James will miss the rest of the season with a knee injury, and defensive linemen Tyreak Sapp and Cam'Ron Jackson are questionable against Arkansas.
This creates opportunities for younger players on the defensive front, and Florida will rely on veterans Scooby Williams and Teradja Mitchell for the communication aspect at linebacker, Napier said.
Additionally, Houston transfer Mannie Nunnery is likely to make his first start at linebacker in James' place. He's the first of three players listed at the position, followed by freshman Jaden Robinson and junior Derek Wingo, although each player is separated by an "or."
"He’s like a freak of nature. I don’t know if you remember but I think in spring I think we had interviews and I told you how he was athletic and made one-handed plays and all that," Williams told reporters about Nunnery this week.
The unit will be tasked with slowing down veteran quarterback KJ Jefferson. His 6-foot-3, 247-pound frame and dual-threat skill set could create issues for a UF defense that's struggled to tackle and get to the quarterback in recent weeks. Jefferson has scored 82 touchdowns in his five-year career, 62 through the air and 20 on the ground.
"He's just a physical player and he's tough to get on the ground. You may get to him but he's like a lot of these bigger quarterbacks who have played throughout the years. This is a big man," Napier said. "He's developed as a passer and he's got a good group of skill around him and when you start talking about defending Arkansas, it starts with him and his mobility is a part of the equation."
That being said, Jefferson hasn't had much protection from his offensive line. He is the second-most sacked quarterback in the SEC this season (31). Meanwhile, Florida boasts one of the best pass rushers in the country when it comes to creating pressure in Princely Umanmielen.
Although he only has three sacks on the year, he's been a consistent force in the backfield for opposing quarterbacks.
"Yeah, it's been a little frustrating," Umanmielen admitted on Monday. "I've seen posts saying I have the highest win percentage or one of the highest win percentages in college football. I get to the quarterback. As soon as I get there, he just throws the ball away. So many quarterback hits. It's a little frustrating."
For Florida to have success on Saturday, the defense that upset Tennessee and shut down McNeese State, Charlotte and Vanderbilt, the Gators will need to hone in on their fundamentals and techniques. Putting consistent pressure on Jefferson while making consistent tackles should equate to a win, and UF is equipped to accomplish both.
“I feel like any successful defense really relies on tackling so tackling has always been a big part of our practice plan, tackling circuits, doing this, finishing on the ball, getting the ball out. I feel like it’s a really key emphasis this weekend for the rest of the season," Williams said.
Gators' Offensive Line vs. Inconsistencies and a Steady Razorbacks' Defense
Saturday's matchup presents an opportunity for Florida to get back to the basics offensively, especially up front.
Quarterback Graham Mertz has been sacked at least three times in each of the last five games. His 23 sacks taken are the fourth-most of any quarterback in the SEC.
Despite the pressure he faces routinely, Mertz's 75.9 completion percentage is the third-best in the SEC, and his 14 touchdown passes are approaching his single-season career-high of 19. Of course, it helps to have receivers like Ricky Pearsall and Eugene Wilson III alongside tight end Arlis Boardingham to provide consistent hands.
Coming into the season, Florida was expected to have one of the top rushing attacks in the SEC if not the country. That hasn't been the case this year with its inconsistent play up front and a lack of rushing threat at quarterback.
Montrell Johnson Jr. has had very hit-or-miss performances, and Trevor Etienne's midseason shoulder injury has caused his workload to be inconsistent. However, they may have turned a slight corner against Georgia.
Johnson had a season-high 48-yard rush against the Bulldogs, and Napier indicated this week that Etienne is back to his usual self. These positive trends for the rushing attack could not come at a more crucial time.
But you're only as good as the guys blocking for you, and Florida cannot afford Mertz to be pressured and for Johnson and Etienne to be stopped for minimal gains consistently. Arkansas has sacked quarterbacks 22 times this year and only gives up 201.4 yards per game in the air. Both of which rank in the top half of the SEC.
Additionally, the Razorbacks only allow 131.6 rushing yards per game and haven't allowed an offense to score more than 30 points in each of the last three games. That includes matchups with top-10 teams Ole Miss and Alabama and their 7-3 loss to Mississippi State.
"This is a team that's lost a lot of close games," Napier said. "I do think they've played really good defense for the most part."
Once again, it starts up front, and with an opportunity to become bowl-eligible, Florida needs its offensive line to show up on Saturday.
Florida vs. the Injury Bug
The midseason injury bug has taken a massive chomp out of the Gators more than half of the way through the season.
As previously stated, Florida will have a depleted defense with James out of the year and the prospect of Sapp and Jackson potentially missing Saturday's game.
Offensively, Etienne has battled through a shoulder injury, and Florida has been without pass-catchers Caleb Douglas (leg) and Jonathan Odom (concussion) for multiple weeks.
The key this week, as it is in any week, is to keep as many players healthy as possible. Florida cannot afford significant injuries with three games against top-15 opponents on the horizon.
Napier explained that the current situation creates opportunities for the Gators to build depth and provide younger contributors additional playing time.
"I think ultimately what it does is it magnifies the importance of depth, it magnifies the importance of player retention," he said. "Having a veteran team, having players that have been in your system for multiple years. And look, even last year it happened to us at the end of the year. So, I think we've handled them a little better, in my opinion, this year because of the depth."
The positive for Florida is the fact that Douglas, who was injured in the Kentucky game, is "ahead of schedule" in his recovery and Etienne is "in a great place" regarding his shoulder injury, Napier said.
That being said, Florida cannot afford any more major injuries to players on the two-deep depth chart moving forward.
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