Toledo Rockets vs (10) Florida Gators
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium/ Gainesville, Florida
Capacity: 88,548
8/31 12:20 PM EST/ ESPN3
Players to Watch:
Toledo Rockets:
David Fluellen (RB) -- The backbone of the Toledo offense; an under appreciated talent in the NCAA. Fluellen ran for nearly 5.8 yards per carry last season.
Terrance Owens (QB) -- Dual threat quarterback who will be unpredictable to defend against.
Jayrone Elliott (DL) -- Returning team sack leader.
Florida Gators:
Quinton Dunbar (WR) -- Underrated wide receiver returning for senior campaign and should be Driskel’s safety blanket.
Dominique Easley (DL) -- Disruptive force from all points of the defensive front. New leader of the front seven with Sharrif Floyd gone.
Loucheiz Purifoy and Marcus Roberson (CB) -- Young, dominant tandem that may end up as the best cornerback duo in the nation.
Previewing Toledo:
As a passer, Owens is mediocre, but is certainly a special athlete. Along with running back David Fluellen, Toledo should feature the read-option quite often against the Gators. Despite how talented the rushing duo may be, Toledo must prove themselves in the trenches, not just on offense, but on defense as well. The absence of the team’s two top tacklers from the previous season- both linebackers- may prove to be problematic for Toledo and open up running lanes for the Gators.
Previewing Florida:
The question hanging over Florida is whether or not quarterback Jeff Driskel will show improvement as a passer. Regardless, Driskel is still a stellar athlete that can be a threat to tuck it and run, or run from a designed play, at any time. Matt Jones and freshman Kelvin Taylor will give the Toledo front seven fits all game long. The injuries of speedster wide receiver Andre Debose and offensive tackle Chaz Green may hinder the Gators offensive production, but nonetheless, the rest of the squad is talented. On the opposite side of the ball, the Gators sport what is likely the nation’s most talented cornerback tandem along with a nasty front seven lead by Dominique Easley.
Prediction:
After shocking the nation and only coming a fumble away from an SEC title shot last year, the Gators will start the year of with a 1-0 record. Toledo shouldn’t be much more than a warm-up game for the Gators, especially with it being held at “The Swamp.”
Florida WINS 31-7