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Florida’s offense may have looked the part in its 38-24 win over South Carolina, but its defensive performance once again left much to be desired.
Still, the Gators find themselves squarely in the top 10, according to Sports Illustrated’s Pat Forde, heading into their third game of the season against Texas A&M.
Forde thinks the UF offense is for real and points out that though the defense struggled, it was more successful against big plays than in the first game against Ole Miss.
5. Florida
Last game: beat South Carolina 38-24
Next game: at Texas A&M Saturday
The Gators might not have the raw speed of the Crimson Tide, but their passing attack is every bit as effective. The Kyle Show rolled on against the Gamecocks: Kyle Trask threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns, and tight end Kyle Pitts had four catches for 57 yards and two TDs. That’s six times they’ve connected for six points in two games. Florida certainly hasn’t been great defensively thus far, but it did limit South Carolina’s explosive plays Saturday (just two gains of 20 or more yards from scrimmage).
UF is behind No. 1 Alabama, who is coming off a win in a 52-24 shootout over the Aggies, and No. 3. Georgia, who pummeled Auburn 27-6 on Saturday.
Here’s what Forde had to say about the Bulldogs, who may have found their answer at quarterback in Stetson Bennett.
3. Georgia
Last game: beat Auburn 27-6
Next game: Tennessee Saturday in Athens
For at least one week, everyone could stop worrying about Bennett IV. The presumptive fourth-string quarterback heading into the season turned his first career start into an easy victory, thanks mostly to the Bulldogs’ trench domination on both sides of the ball. Georgia ran for 202 yards and held Auburn to just 39 rushing yards. (That marks the first time under Gus Malzahn that the Tigers have gone consecutive games without 100 yards rushing.) The ‘Dogs might have the best defense in America.
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