Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs No. 11 Florida Gators
By Matt Melton
Florida Gators Players to Watch
QB Emory Jones
The Gators will use two dual-threat quarterbacks often with Jones having seen the most time on the field so far. Jones leads the team with 23 carries for 155 yards and a touchdown, but has struggled throwing the ball at times completing 63.3% of his passes for two touchdowns and four interceptions.
QB Anthony Richardson
Florida’s other quarterback is Richardson who leads the Gators in rushing with 11 carries for 275 yards and two touchdowns. While he has had success running the ball in particular this season, Richardson has also completed six of 11 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns.
OLB Jeremiah Moon
Florida has experience at outside linebacker with Moon as one of the most-experienced. Moon currently leads the Gators with 11 tackles and a sack on the season.
DE Zachary Carter
Opposite Moon on the defensive line is Carter, a redshirt senior who totaled two tackles and a sack against Alabama a year ago. Carter is coming off a phenomenal outing last Saturday against Florida Atlantic in which he totaled three sacks and a forced fumble.
WR Jacob Copeland
The Gators lost top receivers such as Pitts, Toney, and Grimes from last seasons matchup, but still have depth at the position headlined by Copeland. The redshirt junior leads the team in receiving hauling in six passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns.
LB Mohamoud Diabate
The junior currently ranks second for the Gators in tackles with 10, and plays an important role for the Florida defense. Diabate had a big game in last seasons matchup where he totaled 10 tackles.
RB Malik Davis
Florida returned almost all of their rushing production from a year ago with Davis as arguably the top running back. Davis leads all Florida running backs with 21 carries which he has turned into 126 yards and a touchdown.
OLB Khris Bogle
Bogle currently ranks third in tackles for the Gators with nine, as well as collecting one sack. Florida will likely use multiple pass rushers on the edge, with the junior as one of the most-successful so-far this season.
RB Dameon Pierce
As mentioned previously, Florida uses multiple running backs in both the running and passing game. Pierce has received 11 carries so far this season for 86 yards and three touchdowns, as well as hauling in six catches for 38 yards.
WR Xzavier Henderson
After not recording a catch in the season-opener, Henderson had a big game last week hauling in four passes for 68 yards and a touchdown. Ranking second for the Gators in receiving yards, Henderson could play a similar role to a week ago.