Florida’s offense has been among the worst in the nation this year, so it wasn’t all that shocking when Feleipe Franks was benched in favor of Malik Zaire. The Notre Dame transfer was expected to be a major factor for the Gators this year to begin with but is only getting his first start in Week 10.
All it took was head coach Jim McElwain getting fired for the change to occur. However easy it is for most of us to see that a change needed to be made, Franks isn’t taking the demotion well.
ESPN sideline reporter says Feleipe Franks went to interim coach Randy Shannon to say he was upset and that he’s better than Malik Zaire
— Mark Long (@APMarkLong) November 4, 2017
The freshman really does have some growing up to do. Not to mention, he’s not been all that hot this year to begin with. Aside from some huge throws he made at the end of games (like this), Franks has been downright mediocre, completing just 60 percent of his passes, averaging 6.6 yards per attempt while throwing four touchdowns and four interceptions.
A change had to be made. Florida’s offense has averaged just 337 yards and 21.3 points per game, ranking No. 113th in both categories. Franks might have a bright future, but with him under center this year, the Gators had no bite.
Though, it’s worth pointing out that they are equally awful with Zaire under center Saturday. At the half, he’s thrown for just 97 yards, has an interception and the Gators are down 28-3 to Missouri, which has one of the worst defenses in the nation.