Everyone is making a big deal about Florida’s quarterback situation and deservedly so.
Losing your starting quarterback is a big deal, especially when your backup signal-caller throws his first career pass when filling in for the injured starter.
But once everybody has talked themselves to death about how much UF will miss Jeff Driskel or value Tyler Murphy, it’s all sort of moot.
If the Gators go anywhere in 2013, their defense will take them there.
When asked last week if the defense should be held to a higher standard than the offense, linebacker Neiron Ball uttered the cliche that is so true to this Florida team.
“Defense wins championships,” Ball said.
No matter who lines up under center for UF, the offense doesn’t change much.
Both guys are mobile. Neither is going to throw for 300 yards consistently, but Florida certainly doesn’t need that. The Gators will just pound the ball in the ground game.
Driskel managed games well in 2012. I expect Murphy can do the same in 2013.
Driskel wasn’t going to put the team on his back and win games for the Gators. Neither will Murphy.
Much like last season, this unit just needs to score occasionally and, most importantly, take care of the football. Once Kyle Christy snaps out of his current funk, Florida can score a few points, win the battle of field position and leave the game up to its defense.
This elite group hasn’t skipped a beat even after losing seven starters from 2012.
Through three games, the UF defense ranks second nationally with only 212.3 yards allowed per game. Given the unit’s youth, experience will only make them better.
You see a playmaker like sophomore Buck linebacker Dante Fowler Jr., who showed off his game-changing ability with two forced fumbles in Saturday’s victory.
Meanwhile, freshman cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III is setting the world on fire in his first season of college football. He’s one of the best players in an already extremely deep secondary.
Once Loucheiz Purifoy (right thigh contusion) and Marcus Roberson (sprained left knee) return to health, UF might as well pass out free blankets to opposing wide receivers.
And then there is the unit’s leader, Dominique Easley. The upbeat, Chuckie doll-wielding, I-don’t-watch-football-I-just-like-to-hit-people defensive tackle is the engine that makes the unit go. And he only has one goal in mind.
When asked if finishing his college career with a 4-0 record against Tennessee was a point of pride for him, Easley quickly made known his desire for the crystal football.
“I want to win the national championship,” he said. “That’s my point of pride.”
Toledo, Miami and Tennessee are nowhere near the best offenses Florida will face this year, but the Gators looked dominant in significant stretches against each team. That alone is promising, especially as the unit continues to jell.
Also, the turnovers are coming. After Hargreaves’ two interceptions were Florida’s only takeaways during the first two weeks, UF was just picking on UT’s offense. Upcoming games against Kentucky and Arkansas provide even more opportunities for Florida to build confidence in its ball-hawking identity before facing LSU, Georgia, et al.
After the Gators gave up two quick touchdowns in their loss to the Hurricanes on Sept. 7, coach Will Muschamp placed the blame on Florida’s defense. Fair or not, that’s the way it is in Gainesville. Whoever plays quarterback isn’t going to change that dynamic.
Murphy’s job is no different than Driskel’s — take care of the ball and let the defense do the rest.
Follow Joe Morgan on Twitter @joe_morgan.
Two trainers attend to quarterback Jeff Driskel after he suffered a fractured right fibula during Florida’s 31-17 victory against Tennessee on Saturday in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.
