No more cfb, sucks ass…season has been a pretty fun one and I’m disappointed that it’s done. I suppose there is another month until signing day and later spring ball…meh.
I”m happy with UF’s season, and I’m glad UF finished well. I must say there is a slight bit of disappointment not being able to play for the NC game- expectations were at some of the highest levels ever. But a 13-1 season, I’m definitely happy about it.
Some early predictions for next season from ESPN and rivals
It will be interesting to see how good UF will be next season. We lose (off the top of my head):
Offense- Tebow, Nelson, Cooper, Hernandez, potentially both of the pounceys…I think that’s it.
While the loss of Tebow will hurt, I’m confident that John Brantley will be just fine. He’s shown glimpses of brilliance in his short playing time (though, most all of it was mop up duty) and I’m really excited to see him play. He’s much more a standard pro quarterback than TT is, with a faster/sharper release.
The loss of Hernandez hurts alot…he was one of the best receivers on the team this year and his versatility with the shovel triple option was really great too. With that said, UF will be moving towards a different form of offense this coming year (I think), mainly toward a heavier passing game. The zone read won’t be AS MUCH of a staple as it was this year, but I still expect to see it. JB isn’t as big of bruiser as TT was, but he’s still quick enough to gain some yards on the ground. There is also some speculation that Jordan Reed, our QB recruit from last year might come in and do some short yardage stuff, a role that TT had when he was a freshman.With that said, TE is a thin position and one in need.
The loss of the Pounceys hurt as well…anytime you lose two great OL, it’s going to suck. There still isn’t any confirmation on whether or not they are leaving, and it could be that Maurkice Pouncey that leaves early and Mike will stay back. With that said, their backups are highly rated recruits who have been in the system for a bit, so I don’t expect there to be TOO much of a drop off (considering they are interior linemen and not a more vital spot such as tackle).
The loss of Nelson and Cooper hurts, as UF WRs haven’t really stepped it up (other than Cooper). Deonte has shown flashes of an excellent player but isn’t consistent. I really hope some WRs can step it up.
Defensively, UF loses alot. Dunlap is expected to go, Spikes is gone, same with Stamper. Cunningham is gone as well, leaving us with both of our DEs gone. I expect the DT production to increase a bit, as it’s yet another year in the system. UF has a few good DT recruits as well and I think that DT is a position that will finally see some big production. Sure, they weren’t horrible the past few years (Marsh and Sanders along with a few defections)…but I wouldn’t mind having a Suh-like linemen in there.
Justin Trattou returns though, and he has been a starter/semi-starter his entire career. Dunlap loss will hurt, but we have few good players who are in the same mold as CD. UF’s recruiting the past week has also reaped strong commits, and I think we’re in good shape in the next few years.
LB- two starters gone. Spikes obviously is a big loss, though, this past year, he hasn’t done a ton…a bit underachieving than he was in previous years. This was probably due to injury as well as being out for a few games. With that said, UF still has a few decent returning LBs, many of whom have played significant playing time. I don’t expect a tremendous amount of drop off…though, the leadership quality of Spikes will be missed.
DBs- I hear that M. Wright is thinking about going early…a big mistake imo. He’s not athletic enough to go high and he’s not productive enough either…Sure, he’s a decent player, but I think expecting to go in the first few rounds seems a bit much. I think another year would help him alot. The loss of Haden sucks alot…he was not only a great cover corner but a fantastic tackler as well. As with many other positions, UF has recruited cb pretty well. While I think there will be some pretty big drop off from Haden, the veteran play of A. Black and J. Jenkins will help…and even more so if Wright decides to stay.
Overall, I don’t expect there to be as much of a drop off in defense as there was in 2007…the cupboard was left empty, so to speak, and a ton of true frosh played that year. It’ll be a bit different in 2010, where UF now has a few good recruits at said positions.
The biggest question going into 2010 are:
-Urban Meyer and health…not really much to say about this…when he’ll be back, how hard he’ll go, etc. Hopefully he can get his life/health together.
-Coordinator turnover- UF has lost a ton of coordinators to other programs moving up, and it hurts with the continuity of this team. With that said, some of the guys coming in are highly touted, and I’m excited to see how Edwards molds his D.
-Schedule- is harder than it was in 2009, as UF plays bama in the regular season at their place. Yuck…
-J. Brantley- how good is he going to be?
Well…another month or so until signing day. Hopefully it’s a good one…UF currently has the #1 rated class, with a few more potentially signed. I’ll have to think about what UF game(s) I want to go to as well…