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Florida wasn't so bad in 2008. They did win a national championship, after all. With Tim Tebow and every man in the defensive two-deep returning, a lot of folks expected the 2009 version of the Gators to reach legendary status. But have they? Are they even better than the 2008 Florida team? As good?
We don't know, but we're going to chew the idea over a bit, anyway, taking a look at some of the stats that matter. We'll compare Florida's stats for the 2009 season to Florida's stats for the 2008 regular season. (Regular season 2008 stats make a better comparison point, as opposed to stats including the Alabama and Oklahoma games, which tend to skew things a bit, and for which comparable games this season have yet to occur - if they will ever do so.)
First we'll provide a bit of context by comparing Florida's 2008 schedule to Florida's 2009 schedule.
SCHEDULE
Florida plays a significantly lighter schedule in 2009 than in 2008. They traded Miami, Ole Miss, Hawaii, and The Citadel for Mississippi St.., Troy, FIU, and Charleston Southern. Further, two of their traditional Eastern division opponents, Georgia and Vanderbilt, are significantly down from last year, as is FSU. The only Florida opponent that appears to be noticeably better than they were in 2008 is Arkansas, and they're not tons better.
Your guess is as good as mine as to how to factor that into the statistical comparison - but it is a factor.
OFFENSE
Florida's offensive stats in 2009 are very similar to what they were in 2008: excellent all around. Turnovers are up from 11 to 15, though, and sacks went up from 15 to 26. Points were down, as Florida settled for three much more often in '09.
Considering the schedule, you have to conclude that the Gators' offense isn't quite as good as it was last year.
Points/Game
2008 - 46.3
2009 - 36.5
First Downs/Game
2008 - 21.9
2009 - 22.9
Rushing Yards/Game
2008 - 240.5
2009 - 236.7
Yards Per Rush
2008 - 5.9
2009 - 5.6
Passing Yards/Game
2008 - 212.3
2009 - 214.7
Completion %
2008 - 64.6
2009 - 67.6
Yards Per Pass
2008 - 9.2
2009 - 9.1
Penalty Yards/Game
2008 - 59.4
2009 - 49.5
Turnovers/Season
2008 - 11
2009 - 15
Sacks/Season
2008 - 15
2009 - 26
Time of Possession
2008 - 29:31
2009 - 27:56
DEFENSE
Defensive stats are better almost across the board, with the one notable exception being the reduction in turnovers from 32 to 23. Combined with the increase in offensive turnovers, this reduces Florida's turnover differential from 21 to 8, enough to make a difference.
The lighter schedule and the turnover change are significant, but the Gators have been clearly tougher to move the ball on this season.
Points/Game
2008 - 11.9
2009 - 9.8
Rushing Yards/Game
2008 - 103.6
2009 - 89.9
Yards Per Rushing Attempt
2008 - 3.4
2009 - 2.9
Passing Yards/Game
2008 - 172.9
2009 - 144.2
Yards Per Pass
2008 - 5.5
2009 - 5.2
Completion Percentage
2008 - 52.3%
2009 - 50.8%
Turnovers/Season
2008 - 32
2009 - 23
Sacks/Season
2008 - 31
2009 - 34
SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gators posted slight gains in several categories, but had a noticeable dropoff in punt returns. The biggest difference was in field goals, where Florida's conversion percentage dropped from100% to 70.3%. Even more troubling for the Tallahasseans is the great increase in attempts, from 10 to 27.
Punting
2008 - 42.4
2009 - 42.7
Punt Returns
2008 - 14.9
2009 - 7.5
Punt Returns Allowed
2008 - 3.9
2009 - 3.2
[Note: Florida allowed 91 total regular season punt return yards in 2008-09 combined!]
Kickoff Returns
2008 - 21.4
2009 - 25.9
Kickoff Returns Allowed
2008- 22.3
2209 - 20.2
Field Goals
2008 - 10/10
2009 - 19/27
CONCLUSION
One things that's very clear is that Florida posted some magnificent stats in both 2008 and 2009, clocking in near the borderline of excellent and great. But they don't show that this team is better than the team Florida put on the field for the last SEC championship game. Maybe they're not quite as good. My best guess is that Florida's D is a hair better this year, but its offense and special teams may have dropped off a tad.
In 2008, Florida defeated #4 LSU 51-21, #8 Georgia 49-10, #24 South Carolina 56-6, and #23 Florida St. 45-15. Up to this point, there is no game of that caliber on the 2009 team's record.
TOMORROW: Alabama vs. Alabama
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