Muschamp on hot seat, but issues still face Florida

Ron Zook once posted 23 victories in three seasons as Florida’s football coach and was subsequently fired.

Ever since Steve Spurrier’s arrival from Duke 25 years ago, expectations have soared so much in Gainesville that merely seven or eight victories a season just cannot be tolerated.

Therefore, Will Muschamp must be feeling a nuclear kind of heat after presiding over Florida’s first losing campaign since 1979. True, injuries were an issue during last season’s 4-8 disaster, but even when crippled Florida is expected to beat Vanderbilt and Georgia Southern.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. So to rebuild, Florida borrowed a page from its history and again turned to Duke.

This time Offensive Coordinator Kurt Roper was lured away from the Blue Devils and is tasked with pumping some life into a stagnant offense that last season ranked 113th in the nation and was limited to 20 points or less in eight games, including the final seven.

Roper has installed a spread-style offense that figures to help struggling quarterback Jeff Driskel and take better advantage of the Gators’ speed at receiver. Florida also has a good group of running backs and projects to be strong on defense, as usual. However, depth is a major concern in the offensive line.

If Florida doesn’t have another rash of injuries and Driskel does flourish in Roper’s system, the Gators could regain their place among the top contenders in the SEC East Division. But if the Gators struggle again, Muschamp could be replaced.

As Zook could attest, mediocrity isn’t accepted for long in Gainesville.

Florida Gators

Coach: Will Muschamp

2013 record: 4-8

Returning starters:

• Offense (7): T Trenton Brown, TE Clay Burton, QB Jeff Driskel, WR Quinton Dunbar, T Max Garcia, FB Hunter Joyer, RB Kelvin Taylor
  
  
• Defense (6): DE Jonathan Bullard, WLB Jarrad Davis, DE Dante Fowler, CB Vernon Hargreaves, NG Leon Orr, MLB Michael Taylor
  
  
• Special teams (2): P Johnny Townsend, K Frankie Velez

Position of strength: This might be hard to believe considering Florida ranked just 87th in the nation in rushing offense last season, but the Gators are strong at running back. Sophomore Kelvin Taylor rushed for 508 yards in his debut season and figures to break out this year. That is, if he can get enough carries. Big, powerful Matt Jones is back from a knee injury and will demand his share of chances. Further, senior Mack Brown was the leading rusher in ’13 and he appears destined to be third team.

Position of concern: The YouTube video that showed two Florida linemen blocking each other hinted that there are issues in the Gators' offensive line. Florida’s starting offensive line is solid, but beyond the first five are reasons to worry. Depth could pose a major problem. That includes tight end, where there is no legitimate SEC caliber player. The Gators may be forced to shift a running back there.

Time is now: Quarterback Jeff Driskel has looked like a fish out of water most of his time in Gainesville. Maybe that’s because Driskel, once the nation’s premier QB prospect, has played in an offense that’s not best conducive to his skill set. But now the Gators are changing to a up-tempo spread system similar to the offense Driskel ran in high school. The system allows more opportunity to make plays with his legs and calls for quicker passes, so he won’t be as apt to overthink in the pocket.

The change gives Driskel a chance to prove himself; if he flounders again then it will be clear the system wasn’t the problem ... the quarterback was.

Emerging newcomer: Technically, sophomore Demarcus Robinson isn’t a newcomer, but he is a newcomer to the starting lineup. A highly-touted prospect out of high school, he’s spent as much time in Muschamp’s doghouse as he has on the field. However, he’s seemed to find new life in the Gators’ new system. He’s fast and skilled and coming off an impressive spring. Look for him to have a breakout year.

Schedule analysis

This schedule is perfect for a rebuilding team needing to gain confidence. The Gators' first three opponents combined for five victories a year ago. Then, after a reality break that is a trip to Alabama, the Gators face Tennessee, which is coming off a 5-7 showing in 2013 and has lost to Florida nine consecutive years.

Usually, Florida faces Tennessee in its first SEC game. This year the Gators and Vols square off in the third conference game. It will be the first time since 2001 Florida isn’t facing Tennessee in September.

The Gators could start — should start — 4-1. Actually, they’d better start 4-1 because LSU and Georgia loom soon afterward. Also, Florida’s last three games against FBS opponents are Vanderbilt, South Carolina and defending national champion Florida State. Those three teams combined for just six losses a year ago.

2014 schedule:

• Aug. 30 vs. Idaho
• Sept. 6 vs. Eastern Michigan
• Sept. 13 vs. Kentucky
• Sept. 20 at Alabama
• Oct. 4 at Tennessee
• Oct. 11 vs. LSU
• Oct. 18 vs. Missouri
• Nov. 1 vs. Georgia at Jacksonville
• Nov. 8 at Vanderbilt
• Nov. 15 vs. South Carolina
• Nov. 22 vs. Eastern Kentucky
• Nov. 29 at Florida State