GATORS v. USC: REAL ‘BAMA PLEASURE, WITHOUT LIGHTING UP

 
SNL would be remiss were he to fail to comment on the unisoned euphoria gripping the Gator faithful this week.  Like a corpulent man atop a bed of doughnuts, the Gator Nation is fat, happy and complacent.  If the local airwaves are a fair indicator, and they usually are, the bulk of the Gators nation is far more concerned with Florida’s BCS opponent than it is with the remaining foes, which include three ranked teams-one of whom, you might have noticed, is #1.   
This is, after all, the “way of things” since Spurrier’s era of hegemonic dominance was followed up with Urban’s immediately gratifying 2006 title, and it really pisses SNL off.  Why?  Because South Carolina has won 5 in a row, and FSU lies in wait.  Both ranked, both good, and both looking to make their season by beating Florida. 
And yet, the bulk of Gator fans, lin true nuovo riche fashion, are busy booking rooms in Miami-when not discussing the margin of victory of the pending SEC title game, of course.  The whole thing is enough to make you sick.  The only solace for those who, like SNL, know that significant heavy lifting remains, is that Pope Meyer will pull every string possible to create a Chinese wall between the fans (and the pundits driving this vehicle) and using sheer will if necessary, exhort his team to victory this Saturday.  Speaking of which…
South Carolina is good.  In fact, South Carolina is every bit the equal of Gator-nemesis, ‘Bama, on the defensive side of the ball.   Don’t believe it?  South Carolina is 3rd inthe Country in total defense; ‘Bama is 4th.  South Carolina is 10th in scoring defense; ‘Bama is 7th.  If you want to split hairs, ‘Bama holds teams to about 30 yards less per game rushing than the Cocks (which means the Cocks hold teams to about 30 yards less passing). 
The real significance, however, of Saturday’s contest for the Gators, particularly when Florida has the ball, is that USC (like ‘Bama) runs a 3-4 as its base defensive scheme.  This is somewhat unusual, and allows for a multitude of defensive looks and blitz packages.  Given that the personnel for USC and ‘Bama are roughly commensurate, at least statistically, Florida should be able to assess what it can do in the ATL and get a jump on their gameplan for the Tide. 
For fans not concerned about base sets, coverage techniques, and other technical minutiae, the foregoing can be interpreted as follows:  South Carolina’s defense is the best defense UF has faced this year, and its not even close (Sorry, LSU).  So don’t expect a Vandy-ish, or even a Geargia-ish offensive performance Saturday.  In fact, expect the opposite.  Field position, turnovers, and grinding, lengthy drives should be the norm this Saturday.  UF should prevail by a resaonably comfortable margin of 14-17 points, but it won’t come early, and it won’t come easy.
So, Gators, stop running around agog like the hottest girl in school accepted your lascivious-based offer to escort her to prom, and put on your big boy pants.  There’s time enough to worry about ‘Bama and the Big 12 later.
-So Sayeth the Shepherd