Post by afrats on Sept 7, 2017 6:54:04 GMT -8
This week the Bears face one of the toughest opponents of their season. They square off against the 22d ranked Florida Gators. This trip (before it has started) has become one of the more challenging trips that I have faced in my short time with the team. Hurricane Irma is trying to impact the game and the team, and in some cases already has. The original game time was 7:30 ET and has now been moved to 12 ET. The team will now fly in Friday and out Saturday after the game instead of in Thursday and out Sunday.
All that being said, I know that the Bears team is not looking at this game as one that they cannot win, but one that challenge them. All games are winnable, if they weren't then why bother. The Bears will face a young offensive line for the Gators and look to challenge the QB. The Gators line gave up 6 sacks last week against the Wolverines from Michigan and the Bears defensive line would like to continue that trend. The UNC defense was able to sack the College of Idaho QB three times last week. In order for the Bears to steal a victory, which is rare against the Gators at home, this defense will need to get to the QB and force some errant throws. In doing so, the DBs and LBs of the Bears have proved that they are hungry for the turnover, forcing 2 last week.
Offensively, the Bears will rely heavily on Jacob Knipp (QB) and Trae Reik (RB) to shoulder the load. Knipp was 17/27 for 238 yards last week in just over one half of football. He will need to work to get the ball into the end-zone through the air, something that he was not able to do against the Coyotes from College of Idaho. On the ground the Bears were a strong team, running 5 in for TDs. They were led by Reik in that category with 3, which ties his whole season mark from last year. These two leaders will need some help from the speedy receivers of Wesley, Deggs, and Onic to get open and become threats down field.
None of this is going to happen without some strong blocking by the big guys up front. They did a good job last week against a veteran defense for the Coyotes, but face a much bigger challenge this week. At this point it is not clear if Sr Left Tackle Zach Wilknison will return from injury, but it would be a welcome site to see number 77 come onto the field. While the Bears were able to overcome missing him last week against an NAIA opponent, it is important that his skills and leadership be there against a bigger SEC foe.
Look for the Bears to control tempo and take the crowd out of the game. No predictions here, but look for the Bears to be more of a challenge than people believe that they are.
All that being said, I know that the Bears team is not looking at this game as one that they cannot win, but one that challenge them. All games are winnable, if they weren't then why bother. The Bears will face a young offensive line for the Gators and look to challenge the QB. The Gators line gave up 6 sacks last week against the Wolverines from Michigan and the Bears defensive line would like to continue that trend. The UNC defense was able to sack the College of Idaho QB three times last week. In order for the Bears to steal a victory, which is rare against the Gators at home, this defense will need to get to the QB and force some errant throws. In doing so, the DBs and LBs of the Bears have proved that they are hungry for the turnover, forcing 2 last week.
Offensively, the Bears will rely heavily on Jacob Knipp (QB) and Trae Reik (RB) to shoulder the load. Knipp was 17/27 for 238 yards last week in just over one half of football. He will need to work to get the ball into the end-zone through the air, something that he was not able to do against the Coyotes from College of Idaho. On the ground the Bears were a strong team, running 5 in for TDs. They were led by Reik in that category with 3, which ties his whole season mark from last year. These two leaders will need some help from the speedy receivers of Wesley, Deggs, and Onic to get open and become threats down field.
None of this is going to happen without some strong blocking by the big guys up front. They did a good job last week against a veteran defense for the Coyotes, but face a much bigger challenge this week. At this point it is not clear if Sr Left Tackle Zach Wilknison will return from injury, but it would be a welcome site to see number 77 come onto the field. While the Bears were able to overcome missing him last week against an NAIA opponent, it is important that his skills and leadership be there against a bigger SEC foe.
Look for the Bears to control tempo and take the crowd out of the game. No predictions here, but look for the Bears to be more of a challenge than people believe that they are.