The Florida Gators and Michigan Wolverines will clash at AT&T Stadium for a Labor Day weekend showdown to begin the 2017 college football season, and Florida coach Jim McElwain is excited.
Maybe even too excited.
At a student pep rally inside “The Swamp,” McElwain thanked the crowd for buying season tickets, urged them to arrive early for home games and left with a bold message.
“I love the energy, can’t wait to see ya,” he said. “And you know what, we’re heading to Dallas here in a couple weeks to go beat the heck out of Michigan and then come back to you guys.”
Rather than blasting McElwain for the statement, let’s acknowledge he said something in the excitement of the moment to a completely pro-Florida gathering. But he better have the Gators better prepared for this matchup than they were two seasons ago.
Ending the 2015 campaign in the 2016 Citrus Bowl, Michigan destroyed Florida 41-7. The Gators only managed 273 yards while allowing 503, and the Wolverines scored 34 straight points to end the game.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is dealing with considerable roster turnover entering this season, but his team’s strength will still be the defensive line. Rashan Gary highlights the unit, and Florida may struggle to run the ball against the fearsome front. The result would be increased pressure on a receiving corps, which will be without top target Antonio Callaway due to a suspension.
The Gators’ quarterback, whether it’s Notre Dame transfer Malik Zaire, prized redshirt freshman Feleipe Franks or a combination of both, must be prepared for an aggressive defense in Dallas.
Otherwise, Michigan might beat the heck out of Florida. Again.