Talk about rejuvenation! In one week, the Florida Gators and Jim McElwian have changed all their fortunes after three weeks of being a laughingstock and an embarrassment.
Remember, this team first had a horrible half against the Tennessee Vols, then they struggled in an ugly win against the Vanderbilt Commodores, and two Saturdays ago we exposed them for ducking the LSU Tigers. That’s all still true.
But then they rescheduled the LSU game and agreed to go to Baton Rouge, saving face. Then they blew out the Missouri Tigers. And Tennessee’s blowout home loss put them back in first in the SEC East.
Luke Del Rio’s return revived the offense. Despite miscues and mistakes, he still led the unit to over 550 yards and 40 points. The secondary is back to looking elite and shutting down wide receivers.
However, they still have a lot of work to do to win the East. Fortunately, the Gators get another bye this week before they get set to face the Georgia Bulldogs. But after that, they have to face the Arkansas Razorbacks on the road, their former coach in Will Muschamp and the South Carolina Gamecocks, and then the LSU Tigers, now on the road. To win the East, they likely have to win all those games. That’ll be tough.