Next Meal:    Auburn Tigers   

December 2, 2000 4:30 PM

Previous Weeks

My Prediction: UF 31  AUB 7

Coaching Information

Head Coach:  Tommy Tuberville

Career Record at Present Institution: 5-6 (1 year)

Overall Coaching Record: 30-26 (5 years)

 

Team Information

Basic Offense:  Pro Sets

Basic Defense:  4-3 Multiple

Final 1999 Team Record: 5-6

Final 1999 Finish: 2-6 (They sucked)

Final 1999 National Ranking:  N/A

1999 Bowl Appearance: Yeah right

Game Notes

WHY TO WATCH
Because the rematch of Florida's 38-7 victory in Gainesville is played at a neutral site, which levels the playing field and gives Auburn a chance to avenge the loss. Beyond the importance of the SEC Championship, the implications are staggering for both schools. A Florida win places the Gators in the Sugar Bowl with a potential game against rival Miami, and leaves Auburn in the Citrus Bowl against Michigan. A Tiger upset, however, lands Auburn in the Sugar Bowl and Florida in the Outback Bowl.

KEYS TO THE GAME
Grossman to Gaffney connection. A 101-yard, three-touchdown day for Florida WR Jabar Gaffney in the first meeting is one of the main reasons Gators coach Steve Spurrier is starting QB Rex Grossman over senior Jesse Palmer. It was Grossman who directed the Florida offense that day, and Spurrier is hoping some of the magic is still there. The Tigers have a veteran secondary that needs to step up if they want to slow the Florida passing game. Senior CBs Rodney Crayton and Larry Casher and senior S Rob Pate will be responsible for taking away everything over the top and forcing Gaffney to make all his catches underneath.

• Rudi's results. If Auburn RB Rudi Johnson does not run for over 100 yards, the Tigers will have problems. Johnson is the SEC's leading rusher at 138.2 yards per game, and while he did rush for 133 yards in the first meeting, he didn't do much damage until the Gators had secured a huge lead. Johnson needs to come out strong in the first couple of drives, not only so Auburn can advance the football, but also to wear down a faster Florida defense and keep the Gators' explosive offense right where the Tigers want them: On the sideline.
• Turnover margin. UF leads the SEC and ranks second nationally in turnover differential with a plus-18 margin, which includes 36 takeaways. One of the biggest reasons that the first game got out of hand was Auburn didn't do a good enough job holding onto the football. The Tigers had three turnovers and the Gators had just one. If the Tigers expect to make it into the fourth quarter with a chance to win, they need to win the turnover battle.

   

  HOW AUBURN CAN WIN
  Score on the first drive. In the first meeting, the Gators jumped to an early lead and it was curtains for the Tigers. Auburn cannot play from behind against Florida - it's that simple. They Tigers have too many flaws in their passing game, namely their inability to hold up in pass protection against the speed of the Gators' front seven. Auburn must score early and avoid playing from behind.

   

• Play it safe in the secondary. It's no secret that Florida has better athletes at wideout than Auburn has in its secondary. The question: How can Auburn contain Florida's athletes without playing nickel coverage on first and second down? Look for the Tigers to come out playing a lot of cover two, which allows their safeties to play back in the deep halves of the field to help the cornerbacks in case they get beat off the line of scrimmage. If the soft cover two doesn't work early on, look for the Tigers to add an extra defensive back, which will open up all sorts of room for Florida to run underneath.

  HOW FLORIDA CAN WIN
  Dare the Tigers to throw. Florida would love to get in a shootout because the Gators feel they have the athletes to keep up with Auburn's receiving corps, and because they can rattle Auburn QB Ben Leard into ill-advised decisions.
  

  Offensive balance. The Gators must be able to run. Auburn will do everything to stop Florida from throwing the ball, even if it means playing in the nickel and dime packages on first and second down. The Gators averaged just 103 rushing yards per game this season (11th in the SEC), and will be going against the league's No. 2 ranked unit in run defense. Creating balance, however, will be critical, and could wind up being the difference if the Tigers' base personnel is five defensive backs.

  FROM THE SIDELINES
  Spurrier's superstitions have been well documented this season, including his decision to start Grossman for just the first snap in the Florida State game -- only to bench Grossman for Palmer on the second play of the game. This move stemmed from the previous week when Grossman was pulled in favor of Palmer, who rallied the team to a 38-point, come-from-behind victory. Well, it looks as if Spurrier's superstitions have come full circle. He has decided to start Grossman, a redshirt freshman, rather than his senior quarterback in the SEC Championship game. Then again, it could also have something to do with Grossman throwing for 232 yards and five touchdowns in the win over the Tigers in October.

  BOTTOM LINE
  The game won't be so lopsided this time around -- mostly because it's played on a neutral site -- but the result will be the same. The Gators have too many athletes and playmakers for the Tigers to contain. Auburn will try its best to slow the pace by running Johnson as much as 30 times, but the Tigers will be playing catch-up in the fourth quarter.

 

 

Last Updated November 19, 2006