GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Gators will host the UCF Knights this weekend in Florida’s second instate matchup of the season. The Gators are coming off of a bye week while UCF is trying to rebound from its first loss of the year, a 48-21 drubbing at home to Colorado. Florida and UCF have played just three times, with the last game coming in 2021 at the Gasparilla Bowl.
Here are four players that could give the Gators fits this Saturday in the Swamp.
He’s no stranger to the Swamp and UCF’s quarterback has Florida’s full attention. Last season, as an Arkansas Razorback, Jefferson completed 20-of-31 passes for 255 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He added a critical 91 yards and another score on the ground. Now, Jefferson is in a system that is utilizing his running ability. He’s thrown 86 passes while also carrying the ball 49 times, including 20 in a loss to Colorado a week ago.
“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,” Florida head coach Billy Napier said before the game. “Ultimately, it’s tough to get him on the ground as a runner and when you do try to finish on him, he’s a challenge in that regard and he is an athlete, there’s no question about it. 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.”
By design, UCF is one-dimensional — they want to run the football and they don’t care if you know it. Florida needs to make them one dimensional in the other direction and force UCF to throw the football.
If Jefferson is in the driver’s seat, Harvey is the engine that makes the UCF offense go. The senior leads the Knights’ rushing attack, Harvey has 85 carries for 525 yards and eight scores through four games. He carried the ball a career-high 29 times for 180 yards and two scores two weeks ago in a win over TCU but Harvey is coming off of a season-low 77 rushing yards in a blowout loss to Colorado.
When UCF does throw (96 passes to 209 rushes on the season), Hudson is their guy. The senior receiver leads UCF with 15 catches for 349 yards and two scores this season. Hudson caught the game-winning touchdown in UCF’s come-from-behind win over TCU .
Last week, Colorado used Travis Hunter on an island and called for their defensive backs to play man-to-man in order to stack the box to slow down UCF’s rushing attack. The Florida Gators should follow that blueprint and they can’t let Husdon beat them.
There are weaknesses in the UCF defense. Against Power 4 opponents, UCF has the worst passing defense in the Big 12, allowing 303.7 yards per game through the air. If Florida can keep Graham Mertz upright, he could have a good day through the air. That’s a big if and Lawrence is one of UCF’s best pass rushers. The former Louisville Cardinal has a 69.2 pass rush grade but he’s wreaked havoc on quarterbacks this season. Lawrence has 10 quarterback hurries, 3 pressures, and a sack off of the edge this year. The Gators need to contain him and keep Mertz clean on Saturday.
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