Five Things to Look for at Kyle Field

Florida Gators running back Mike Gillislee (23) is congratulated by wide receiver Frankie Hammond (85) after he scored a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. (Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE)

1. Quarterback

Florida opened up the season with a quarterback controversy, but by the second half of last week’s game against Bowling Green, second year head coach Will Muschamp found his guy. Jeff Driskel gets his first career start heading into College Station for the Gators’ second game of the season. And it’s going to be loud — Kyle Field is one of the noisiest stadiums in the country. Luckily for Driskel, he has weapons to utilize. He has a solid running back to hand off to, Mike Gillislee, and talented, although relatively unproven, wide receivers in Frankie Hammond and Andre Debose. Can the sophomore quarterback show poise through the noise and deliver to the speedy receivers?

2. Offensive line

You’ve heard it before—football is won in the trenches. A week ago, the Florida offensive line struggled in short yardage situations and accumulated too many false-start penalties. Gator fans are anxious to know whether the blocking unit can keep from placing the offense in first and long situations. Can the Offensive line keep from getting rattled by the noise, and will they win the battle on third and short?

3. Wide Receivers

Florida has some serious speed on the outside with Frankie Hammond and Andre Debose. Speed is great and all, but the Gators need to figure out creative ways to get the ball into their hands. Will Muschamp made running the ball a priority a week ago, but the Gators will need the benefit of big plays down the field to defeat Texas A&M. Will Jeff Driskel be able to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball to the speedsters, and will the coaches open up the playbook to allow for plays down the field?

4. Defensive line

A week ago, Florida’s defensive front struggled to get to the Bowling Green QB before he could get the ball out of his hand. This was largely due to the style of taking a shotgun snap and immediately getting rid of the ball for a wide receiver screen or short slant. Will Texas A&M’s offense work on the same principles the defensive line faced a week ago, or will redshirt freshman, Johnny Manziel hold on to the ball just long enough for defensive ends Dominique Easley and Dante Fowler to bring him down?

5. Defensive backfield

Marcus Roberson was the shining star in Florida’s defensive backfield against Bowling Green. He was able to take a pass that bounced off a Falcon receiver, pluck it out of the air and return it into Florida territory to set up Jeff Driskel’s first touchdown pass of the season. Texas A&M will be starting a redshirt freshman at QB. Can the Gators defensive backfield take advantage of the unproven QB, or will Kevin Sumlin have his guy ready to go?

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