PREVIEW & PREDICTION: Florida Gators vs Miami Hurricanes

we got Gator breakdown here we know we're business Gator breakdown because there's never a dull moment in Gator Nation the gator breakdown podcast is ready to go I am your host David Waters you can find me on social media Gator Dave and it is time preview and prediction time right here for Florida versus Miami so know you've been waiting on this one all week brok up the episodes a lot of content for you this week everybody thanks for sending the messages of you enjoying all the content all the podcast this week uh if you didn't check out the last episode Adam lonstein of the Sun Sentinel join me to Miami kind of our opponent Spotlight there you sometimes I'll throw that into the preview episode but so much content this week decided to to spread it out so plenty of look at Miami that you'll get in this episode from my perspective and there from the last episode as well but also on this episode we're going to do something new uh focus on the Gators with Alex Shepard you probably know on Twitter if you follow me on Twitter Alex sheeper takes photos uh of the Gators he's been doing that for a few years now he's GNA be helping Gator breakdown out this fall be on the sideline for the home games in Florida Georgia games taking those great photos that he does we're GNA talk with him a bit and he's a big time Gator fan like all of us so certainly get his perspective that's on the sideline for games but also his perspective on these Gators this year as well was something we'll do every week this year at a segment called focus on the Gators with Alex Shepard so uh stay stay tuned with that after we uh preview and predict this Florida versus Miami game so lots to get into guys with with this episode But first you know Florida Victorious uh you can become a member link is in the description you get 20% off your first month with promo code Gator BD but also right now you know this year we announced it about a month ago um but they're going to do the 50-50 Raffles this year as well so 50% of the proceeds will go to Florida Victorious the other 50% goes in your wallet the last number I saw was about $113,000 so I'm sure it's only going to rise before game day during the game as well as that drawing will be in the fourth quarter but you can go to Florida Victoria's website and or social media and certainly secure your raffle tickets there but last I saw you'd be getting that about seven Grand if you were to win like I said I'm sure it's only going to go up from here but great thing Florida victorious in University of Florida is doing here uh to help out nil and maybe your wallet at the same time one more time you can become a member to continue supporting nil link is in the description 20% off your first month using promo code code Gators BD uh last night on Wednesday night after the dept chart release we talked about it on Gator breakdown plus they're on the Discord some new members this week so everybody thank you so much for joining there uh you get those adree episodes we did a chat after the depth chart release so that episode is available for gets breakdown plus member so if you want even more content you can get it right there link is in the description and one more time to help you out go to Fanatics if you want some Gator gear all that new Jordan gear some new shoes dropping this week as well um so the new Pegasus I believe it's number 41 I believe but either either way so the shoes that got released a few weeks ago well there's more from Nike you can find them there at Fanatics you can support Gator breakdown you probably either get free shipping or they'll be doing 25% off some items not a lot of the Jordan gear a lot of the new gear not 25% off when they run those deals but you will get the free shipping if that's available so certainly you can uh get some good Gator gear there link is in the description there at Fanatics all right let's uh let's start this preview guys Florida Miami 3:30 in the swamp um to start this off it's the first game of the season of course so we can go back to the preseason magazines a bit uh and get the scouting report for this Miami team let's go to Lindy's you know this Anonymous coaches Scouting Report would do Lindy's and athlons a lot of interesting things being being said about this Miami Hurricanes team so on lendy's they say Mario chryst ball has always been able to coach up the o line Jaylen Rivers is a Sunday player for sure it's been more Glitz and glamour than grit but I think this is the year they really break through starting with Florida in week one total statement game for Miami I love love love Damen Martinez what a nice catch give Mario credit he's got some Pizzazz I mean maybe it's not a shock but he's pulling some big time Talent from the portal the hop on cam W might be a bit over the top but if he's super focused I can't see how there are any weak spots on this offense getting Xavier Restrepo extra help in the receiver room was huge too so there was Lindy's let's go to Athlon here not as glowing of a scout uh of a scouting uh report here they go on to say quote it's a situation where the sum is not greater than the parts and that falls directly on the head coach there's more Talent here more resources than the overall team you're getting that's the problem right now the Tyler van djk experiment is over and it's on them to fit their offense to cam W not the other way around that kid has an established skill set that can help them so they shouldn't try to make him accommodate their playbook the defense is strongest to weakest from front to back they're not not as good in the secondary as they should be the coaching issues cost him a game last season and overall there are questions about how effective this staff is at getting the most out of otherwise talented players the biggest question is the sidelines not the roster that coming from an opposing ACC assistant coach so let's go to the offense and headline for the offense as what was said there in those scouting reports an offense that ranked second in the ACC in total offense last year of course the headline is bringing in cam Ward the quarterback from Washington State through the transfer portal first off he should be better than Tyler van djk but let's remember guys that van djk was supposed to be the next great thing a quarterback high on draft boards he was supposed to be the next great thing under this staff and ends up transferring to Wisconsin where he'll play this year uh and you know never really having in success he was supposed to at Miami and you go back to Mario Chris Balo Oregon and the back situations they had there and not living up to the potential there where there with with Justin Herbert and him being probably a better Pro quarterback than he was College not living up to the you know not not doing much of significance at Oregon like he was supposed to Van Dy kind of the same way he was laed laed last couple of years but just not really be able to break through there for Miami but for Ward of course standout player in the FCS as well dating back his career throwing for 698 yards to about 7,000 yards 71 touchdowns only 14 interceptions at two in two seasons at incarnate Ward uh then Taylor Made For That Washington State offense that air raid uh he continued to excel nearly 7,000 yards there as well 48 touchdowns 16 interceptions over two seasons 13 rushing touchdowns completed 65.5% of his passes during his two seasons with the Cougars and he probably probably the top quarterback in the transfer portal tested the NFL Waters got a I think what was considered what a about of fifth round grade uh decided to come back to college go to Miami man where would Miami be if he didn't do that though by the way I think we'd be looking at this game a whole lot different I think Florida would be the overwhelming favorite if Cam Ward was not the quarterback for Miami so he's a season player of course plenty of experience he he is mobile um you won't mistake him for um you know Jaden Daniels at LSU but he's mobile he's athletic quarterback he's not going to bust a 70 yard run out of nowhere I mean maybe he has that ability that's just not what he's shown so far he is decisive um you really want to keep him from getting in a Groove notable strengths as a quarterback exceptional flexibility capable of throwing accurately from various angles strong arm he can deliver precise passes even Under Pressure quick decision maker um he can Improv a good bit that's what his elusiveness he can't escape pressure uh so pretty pretty agile back there for a quarterback uh difficult to sack because of that but he can hang on to the ball a bit too long allowing for sack opportunities so if you get to him if you get hands on him make sure you bring him down uh really good at balancing velocity great touches on passes at times a good anticipation of of the routes places the ball well for run after to catch opportunities um skill with the ball in his hands can make accurate those even when off balance um but also what Florida's got to watch for is just creating those plays outside the design structure of the offense keeping plays alive he can do that does have some areas of improvement if you watch him though the arm strength is good not Elite uh footwork inconsistent that can lead to some inaccuracy as I said occasionally holds on to the ball too long risk unnecessary sacks doesn't necessarily mean you'll get him down so that's going to be key for Florida but if he holds on to the ball make him pay for it so Under Pressure his de season his decision making can be questionable potentially leading those turnovers of course fumbles being an issue there limited experience as a traditional pocket passer going back to what that Anonymous coach said you know the adaptation for this offensive scheme that's going to be key for me you know what's the balance going to be there Shannon Dawson the offensive coordinator there at Miami has an air raid background dating to his days at Houston but this Miami offense isn't completely completely air raid the passing game principles are air raid but Miami of course wants to run the ball a bit more than a traditional air rid offense so he probably is a good fit in the passing aspects of this offense um he'll probably fit in pretty good with with the change in offense but I think you want to watch run pass r that's going to be interesting to watch for me you know will Dawson want to pass more with a quarterback like Ward or you know will it still be a pretty balanced offense run pass ratio so maybe get carried away at times because look good date back to his Washington State days easily will throw the ball 40 times many games 50 60 times I don't think he'll be asked to do that at Miami so think something to look of course first game of the season of course there's a ton of new faces for Miami a ton of new faces for Florida but we have to go back to last year because that's really all we have to go on right now so you can take everything with a a grain of salt right now because so many new faces but we do have to look at last year a bit because that's really all we have uh but you know that'll be up to you how much you think it means for Miami last year they turned it over 22 times now many of them were concentrated in just a few games but you know there were four four turnovers against North Carolina last year that was a loss four against NC State last year that was a loss and there were five against Georgia Tech including that inexcusable late game fumble where Miami should have won that game by just kneeling the ball so 22 for the year four four and five 13 of them were right there in just those three games Wards fuming issues are something to monitor here as he's turned the ball over 14 times last season seven interceptions seven fumbles Pro Football Focus went on toally 41 turnover worthy plays over the last two seasons that is most among power five quarterbacks so Miami's turnover issues last year paired with Ward's propensity to turn over the ball the last couple of years as well so something to watch there and we all know this Gator defense had their issues causing turnovers last year so something to watch for an offense last year that turned the ball over a lot and for a defense that couldn't produce turnovers last year see where that goes uh big shout out to Nick marcinko I know he tweeted it I made sure I bookmarked it uh he did some cam Ward research as well he tweeted it Miami quarterback cam Ward Nick Maro of course of Gator Country um but he tweeted Miami quarterback cam Ward holds a 4 to8 record on the road in his last two seasons at Washington State his completion percentage dips near 7% in Road games he threw 29 touchdowns six interceptions and 13 games at home and then 20 touchdowns nine interceptions and 12 games on the road uh so I mean not much of a surprise many quarterbacks better at home than on the road but reason we point that out is because he's going to face something he hasn't faced with 93,000 screaming orange and blue fans with all the change him and the new offense some new receivers to throw to inh helmet Communications of of course there's a lot of variables in here as well for for a good quarterback I like cam W but playing in the swamp we know what that can do uh in 2023 27 of his 39 sacks taken were in Road games so last year 27 of his 39 sacks were in Road games now much better offensive line in front of him this time so how do you weigh that you know you could throw out these stats here but just as I said no there's a lot of change you he's not playing for Washington state in the swamp he's playing for Miami in the swamp so a lot more Talent around him at the same time and we all know the issues of Florida giving up explosives on defense last season will need to be improved there right away uh Ward was ninth nationally with 144 completions of 10 yards or more 11th with 52 of 20 yards or more um it does fall a bit there after those so not very very explosive Washington state was 34th in passes of at least 30 yards and then 66th in passes of at least 40 yards with their offense last year so have to think that gets better with more talented wide receiver but we'll see uh so I look looking at this I think the game plan for Florida is to make cam W earn it if you Blitz too much or are predictable in defense he can identify that quickly and make you pay struggles more reading zone defense and and and can hold on to the ball while he's trying to make decisions and that's when you can get to him you Ron Roberts all Armstrong can do a lot with the simulated pressures in this game not let Ward be able to predict where and who the pressure is coming from or when players dropping coverage so not sure how much flid will be able to get to him with their offensive line we'll discuss that here in a bit so confusion may be the key here confusion and coverages might go a long way in slowing down cam Ward's decision making he's a good quarterback better than what they've had need to make him uncomfortable with that home crowd paired with a game plan uh in his first game action with his Miami offense so to help him out we good a receiver senior Xavier Restrepo he's back along with other seniors Jobe George Sam Brown he's a Speer transfer from Houston uh those guys are work on the outside Restrepo there in slot uh Restrepo going back last year delivered one of the best seasons by a wide receiver in Miami history starting all 13 games all SEC first team a single season record with 85 catches last year 1,092 yards six touchdowns only to 6 1,000 yard season by a pass catcher in Miami program history Led Led the team with allpurpose yards 1,149 had had had five 100 yard games over the course of last season uh so that's what you got to of course he he's the guy I mean of course got to build a poor with Cam Ward but certainly somebody you got to look out for uh the the key in this Miami offense the key for sure keeping it going here and these are three receivers certainly can be difference makers for this Miami offense Jobe George is next um breakout season for the Hurricanes he ranked third in the ACC and second uh on the team in receiving yards to Restrepo he had 864 yards earned third Team all ACC recognition finished with 57 receptions 15.1 yards per catch ranked among Miami's uh ranked among League leaders and was Miami's top finisher with eight touchdown catches saw action in all 13 games made 12 starts the George and then Sam Brown the transfer from Houston about, 1300 yards in two seasons with the Cougars broke out last year 850 15 yards 62 receptions and three touchdowns you going to tight end interesting Dynamic here for Miami at tight end they got the often injured Elijah AO he returns and then he returns along with the ninth year player cam McCormack nine years of college football would that exist without nil but he's often injured as well uh that's why he's got nine years here but he led the KES last year at tight end with 16 catches but of course when you look at a Mario crystal ball offense you go up front and this is the unit he's molded going on three years now he's molded a unit that excels in pass protection and gets about five yards a carry for the running game so despite losing a few key players along the offensive line they remain strong Jaylen Rivers he anchors that left tackle position he's he's a season veteran he's on NFL draft boards Indiana transfer Zack Carpenter St Cent to replace Matt Le Center so there's your highlights there but of course we known the the recruiting names of course Samson okola Francis ma Goa uh so but those are the two guys Jaylen Rivers Zack Carpenter Rivers because of his NFL potential and then Carter coming in taking over at Center go back to the last episode if you want even more on this Miami offensive line but those are the those are the headlines and paves the way for a back field for I think Miami's upgraded their rushing attack leading rusher Henry Parish dep Henry Parish departed for Old Miss but Miami then goes get goes and gets Oregon State's dami Martinez at a transfer portal Powerhouse big body running back 2,167 yards 16 touchdowns overing six yards per carry in two in the last two seasons he joined second-year player Mark Fletcher another big bodied back you know these guys 230 thereabouts big body running backs AJ Allen also adds depth he scored five times when just six0 carries last season so Martinez and Fletcher great test for this Gator defense that needs to be ready for big body backs martinz comes in 6' 232 Fletcher 62 225 a lot of weight there lot of big bodies so certainly man you got to be ready to tackle we know the tackling issues for this defense we got to be ready game one no no no warmup a good offensive line big bodied backs Florida's defensive like they're gonna have to take punishment they're they're there's going to be times in this game I think where you know Miami is going to look like they're controlling the game in the Run game let's step up make some plays I think their offensive Line's too good these backs have got some big bodies there that this defensive Line's going to take some hits how did they respond how did they tackle linebackers as well for Florida of course but certainly a key you know pretty a pretty balanced offense for Miami is what I'm predicting here as I said camore comes from a Washington state offense where it wouldn't be no surprise to see him throw it 4050 times a game but with this offensive line with these running backs expect a more balanced offense than he's used to he's got help here so's go to the other side let's go to the Miami defense defensive line undergoing a bit of an overhaul Ruben Bane team's best playmaker on that side of the ball last year seven and a half sacks 12 and a half tackles for loss as a true freshman but all about the transfer portal for around him Tyler bar from Tennessee 13 and half sacks over the last four seasons there didn't play well versus Florida last year for that Tennessee defense coming into the swamp uh Michigan State siman Barrow or Barrow I forget how you say it but either way he should be a factor right away on the inside but you also NC State transfer 6'3 305 PB CJ Clark six year senior he comes to Miami so certainly up front using the transfer portal around Ruben ban so for Florida now think you look at Florida's offense that defensive front there for Miami especially led by Bane think you got to stay out of third long no surprise there limit the chances that this Miami defensive line could pin their ears back you know with the depth chart released for Florida we see cam wa is getting that start at right tackle and that is where our eyes will go I think when we're sitting there in that Stadium or you're sitting there watching TV if you're like me I I look I start by looking at the offensive line anyway then kind of zoom out but beginning of the play that's where I start but I think we have looked at this matchup all off season and have circled this matchup for how much success we think Florida can have on offense so cam weight's getting that this start in the first game of the season you know not as much time as you want with him practicing with the unit as starting right tackle he and barber Miss spring but at least Barber while injured played left tackle all of last year cam weit did did get some reps last year as he as he recovered from that ail's injury but miss spring and then limited snaps this fall as well you know the rest of the line has worked a ton together dating back to Spring and last year but it was Brandon crinch Dixon getting all the starting reps at right tackle in Spring and a good bit of them in Fall Camp while weights was limited but now he's starting he's lately been back repping with the ones he gets a start versus Miami so Barber Harris Slaughter George pretty much shoe inss I think to to get their starts along this offensive line but the question in Camp was that right tackle and now it's cam weights getting the nod you very experienced by how many years he's been in the system but not as many game reps as you'd like due to injuries this group's going to have their hands full need need need to stay on schedule I do like Florida match up at receiver versus Miami DBS we'll get into that in just a bit for what they have to replace there I do like the match up for Florida's wide receivers but will gr merch have time I really can see for this game and this matchup Florida may be relying on the ground game just to go right at Miami to try to stay on schedule try to slow down that pass rush we all know it won't be easy all game and there will be times Florida will pass on First and 10 try play action shot the offense the offensive line has got to hold up on those plays for enough of those plays I expect Miami to get pressure I expect Miami to get sacks you don't want to turn the ball over but for the most part I won't be surprised to see Florida run it more rely on screens Dink and dunk with the occasional deep shot speaking at receivers you know I I do like the catch and run ability of Trey Wilson and Elijah Badger to get the ball in their hands pretty quick I like that match up there with those guys in this game in the end though it might be a game plan that frustrates us we because of the weapons at receiver and gr merch returning I think we want to see this pass game unleash and look if gr merch has time could happen I will qu I do question how much time he's going to have so this might be a game plan that frustrates us but it might be one that gets the job done you know as long as the defense keeps the game close so now look if the offensive line shows up early then forget everything I say just like just like that it it could go away I hope it does I hope Florida can pick and choose what they want to do on offense but I think if you're building a game plan and you're looking at strengths and weaknesses I'm I'm not going to be surprised if Florida runs the a little bit more than what we want and now montro Johnson will get the word he's able to go B's got a deep stable of backs I won't be shocked for this game we see a game plan built around what n nap is known for that run scheme now as this season progresses Grant Merz those receivers I don't I don't know if the first game versus Miami because of that offensive line versus defensive line match up really tell is going to tell the story of this Gator offense I think you build a game plan to win this game yeah you may want to pass the ball 40 times is that really the way you go about it in this game I said Florida may try early and if the blocking holds up okay by all means go for it but I do think if you're building a game plan you have to keep that in mind and I'm not going to be surprised if Florida's ground and pound for most of this game and then try to get the big plays in play action so there is a great player that will try and stop Florida's Run game and that sty of game plan too that's Francisco mingoa big time Big Time player at linebacker he led the team with 82 tackles seven and a half sacks 18 tackles for loss for this Miami defense he's a terror in the middle he can play all three Downs he's not going to come off the field a lot he's good in run defense he can rush to passer rush to passer and reliable in coverage as well plays very well in traffic I do wonder if he can keep up with Bingham if if bingham's out there a lot you Florida's offensive line probably to have a lot to do with this so maybe two tight ends a bit more on the field for Florida him and Hayden Hansen so Bingham could be a matchup that you want to watch here against Francisco maang Goa for for him Ma and Goa he can occasionally overrun plays he plays very aggressive so can't overrun some plays but overall he's a player that this Florida Gator offense def must game plan for talked about the portal up front for this Miami Hurricane defense well it was also very popular for the defensive back field Jadon Harris he's a veteran safety he returns but the group needed help with the loss of Cameron kitens and James Williams Isaiah Taylor comes in from Arizona M Powell comes in from Washington the corners look to be set with deari brown darl Porter but key stat here as just like as I said I think this is the group where Florida while receivers can take advantage of key stat here for this Miami defensive backfield returning players only account for three of Miami's 12 interceptions from last season and none is a defensive back transfer M Powell as I just mentioned from Washington he did have three a season ago at Washington so 12 interceptions last year for this Miami defense but none of those defensive backs returning only three only three of the returning interceptions return but none in the defensive back field all right here we go um breaking down the game some more here's some stats that show the potential of Miami in the trenches on both sides of the ball but how would the new faces affect these of course there's some new faces at at Center for Miami guard as well but of course on the defensive line so last year Miami let's go to sacks Miami had 35 for 241 yards loss for the opposing offense L of quarterbacks were sacked 39 times last season we know about the offensive line worries that's where it stems from sacked 39 times last year were Florida quarterbacks remember Max Brown played the FSU game Miami had 30 5 last year that's why we Circle that match up opponents against Miami last year had 16 sacks Florida had 22 sacks last season and let's go to rushing yards Miami 5.12 yards a carry last year Florida gave up 4.8 opponent last year against Miami's defense rushed for 3.3 Florida gained 4.3 last season so you know no Trevor etn this year montre Johnson looks like he's going to be ready for this game try on web in his second year jacobe Jackson as a transfer for J last year and then those freshman Florida gained 4.3 last season where does that number go against Miami defense that only gave up 3.3 last year so the trenches ever so important in this game we wonder if Florida's defensive line as well and it's Miami defense Miami offense last year 5.12 yards a carry as I mentioned got some big body physical backs cam Jackson Dez Watson you know Jamar Lin out how does that affect Joey slman Kelby Collins cayb Banks those guys gonna be have to be ready boom sap this defensive line these linebackers how's that going to look you know Derek Wingo Shamar James Grayson Howard this Florida fronts however you want to Define front 67 they going to have their hands full against this Miami offensive line and big backs but can't forget about the sidelines a lot of questions for Mario Chris Ball a lot of questions for Billy Napier the staff both staffs got to overcome what we have seen the last couple years but for Miami can they win more close games I think that's an issue for Florida as well but we know we know those we know those but you may not know about Miami here hurricanes were 1 and4 in games decided by seven points or less last season now of course can't forget the Georgia te debacle that probably should have been a win of course but still that's this is where coaching decisions come into play here they were one and four in games decided by seven points for Less last season which of course of course made all the difference in that way last season was perceived for them in all four of those defeats 3 ACC and the bowl game Miami LED in the second half before losing and that was with the 24th best defense in the country so much like Florida found a found a way to lose games so like how we feel about Florida and hey maybe Florida wasn't as bad as that 5- seven record last year there's a lot of truth in that but if we're going to say it for Florida we may have to say it for Miami as well now yes an easier schedule no doubt about it but they're probably lost some games they really shouldn't have last year turnovers being a big factor coaching being a big factor I think so many new faces for this Miami team how do they all how do they come how fast do they all come together M I think Miami is going to be a pretty good team they're going to be much improved I do I do think they are ACC contenders I think Florida would be an ACC Contender if they were in the ACC how fast does it all come together there new faces does it come together game one in the swamp talked about adapting the offense for cam Mo how does that happen really interested in that run pass ratio I do think they can rely on that run game in that offensive line a little bit more but new faces new variables with the inh helmet communication running a new somewhat new offense for cam Ward they got a lot to figure out as with all the new all the new faces especially at the quarterback spot so I think this game is pretty even I I really do I think the two and a half Miami being in favored I think it's fair I think it'd be fair if far was favored by two and a half if it was a neutral site no it'd be a pick them if this game was in Miami we know farid's Road was i' I'd probably be picking Miami I don't I don't think I'm relying on the swamp here but I think the swamp will be the difference in the 2724 Florida Gator Victory two years ago big gigantic game versus Utah Billy nap's first game home crowd making a difference Florida Florida wins that game Tennessee the first big home game last year after that debacle on the road at Utah Florida comes home first big home game gets that win I think Billy apry does it again first big home game I think the teams are pretty even and I say you're not I don't think you're relying on the swamp Mystique to get this but I think it's going to be a difference and mainly because I do think all that all that newness for Miami right now I don't think it jails together enough game one that would be a team that gets better game by game I think Fida will too with a young defense I think Florida's defense Ron Roberts Austin Armstrong can come up with enough to confuse cam W I think I hate the gr merch versus camm you know they're not on the field at the same time that's not that's not really how it works I think it's a wash at quarterback really when you look at it I don't think any team has a decided Advantage at quarterback that's not to that's not to down both those guys that's that's not what I mean just mean I don't think there's a decided Advantage for one team over the other because of the quarterback spot I think they're pretty even in what gr mer is going against in the Miami defense and what cam Mor is going well and this is me now saying I think it's a much improved Florida defense that that's what I'm banking on here a much improved Gator defense at home in the swamp that's going to be the difference tackling will be better tackling must be better Miami's gonna get their yards I think I really do this is going to be a Bend don't break make him set up for field goals here now I got Miami at 24 points so that's them getting three touchdowns and one field goal that's just a close round to about I wouldn't be surprised if it's 3027 Florida that means a ton of field goals for Florida too but it wouldn't be surprised to see a field goal Fest maybe fla does play more of a b don't break style of Defense instead of trying to you know making sure you don't give up that explosive play Maybe Florida plays it a little bit safe I don't think you want to Blitz cam W too much because he can take advantage so I think that can lend itself to just making him make right decision after right decision after right decision and just I think it' be a dink and dunk style for them too make sure you tackle tackle in space I more guys around the ball but there's going to be plenty of one-on-one situations especially against rreo they're in the middle of the field make your tackles but at home I got the gatg going got Gaters going for the victory there so final score prediction 27-24 I can see 30 27 to I'm I'm around that I'm around that angle I think it's going to be a good game think be a close game close game for sure all right so there we go hope you guys enjoyed that preview there and before we go as I mentioned something new coming up on Gator breakdown this year we're going to have all those great images shared by Alec Shepard glad to have him on board of Gator breakdown we put up slideshows hopefully slides shows up a lot of Gator victories this fall but it'll start this Saturday in the swamp here we go new segment here for Gator breakdown kicking it off focus on the Gators with Alex Shepard and for the first time this season this 2024 season right here on Gator breakdown we're going to bring you focus on the Gators with Alex Sheppard you've been following on social media you know announced it last week that Alex is going to be on the sidelines every home game Florida Georgia game giving us the best looks at this Gator team their opponents for this 2024 season Alex man I'm excited to get this started hey what's going on David I'm I'm super excited we've known each other for many years and haven't worked together uh but we share a lot of common interest so it's good to be working with you excited yeah for people who who know me a little more personal um we do have living in Jacksonville area in common our love for the Florida Gator in common but our also our love for some metal Core Music absolutely yeah so uh yeah so a lot of good happening right here on this 2024 season and so Alex is going to be bringing us the best look as I said on the sidelines there Alex sheper photography uh you'll be able to find his work there contact him there as well but also if you're in the if you're looking to move to the Jacksonville area or move around the Jacksonville area we'll get into it later on as well but Alex is a real estate agent in the area as well so we'll get to all that stuff before we wrap up but we are going to talk some Gator football exciting opener coming up against Miami this weekend Alex uh let's kick it off here just how excited are you to just get all this talking out of the way and finally see some football on the field so this game runs a little bit deeper for me than most people so those who know me know my family on my mom's side is actually from Miami my mom went to Miami um and so I have a lot of family members coming up for this game uh I've been talking to my cousin for the past like six months just non-stop like oh my gosh this game's finally here we're finally going to do this we're finally gonna uh you know put all that talk aside um and and show what's up on the field but uh so excited to have Miami back in the swamp it's I don't know how long it's been but it's been a while I remember I was in the last one yeah 2008 since the SW yeah and uh yeah great game there as well um you know I haven't let him forget it as well as the one from four years ago I still tell him about that one but um yeah super excited to have all my family up excited to see you know what the gator are going to put on the field um and uh see what Miami's made of yeah for sure and um Napier's first two seasons haven't gone the way we all want to you know we want we want to see more victories here crucial pivotal pressure packed third year um how big is this season for you personally and what you want to see from this team in Billy A's third year well I mean everyone knows about the schedule everyone's talked about the schedule and how brutal it is and Billy's got to win you know x amount of games to be safe and I think you put any coach uh in this position and it's going to be a tough season um and so I think that you want to see progress you want to see that the team cleans up the fundamentals the Special Teams if we could just get 11 guys on the field I'll call that a win um but ultimately I'm not going to look at it personally from a wins and loss because I want to just see the team play hard football I want to see them go out there I want to see them give it their all I want to see some effort that even if you know even if we go out there against Texas or all miss and we l Lose It by a couple points at least we're showing we can compete with the big dogs we can compete with the guys who are you know consistently ranked in the top 25 and I think that you know if we beat Miami we could absolutely see ourselves you know four and0 Five-0 um and inside the top 15 um and so we'll see I I think Billy's got a big challenge ahead of him I think that he's got a good team I think we're a fast team um with a lot of talent but it remains to be seen if uh you know the play calling and uh the skill can match up to those other teams who have been recruiting extremely well yeah that's kind of that's kind of where I've been at with it too it's like I I do believe in the talent of this team I question the the game day play calling game day situational that has to get a whole lot better uh in in those regards so um I kind of go to your point there too you said I like it because I do believe because of that Talent if that effort's there if that I believe it will kind of translate itself to to the wins that we want to see I mean I and I don't want to make it sound like the team didn't try the team didn't play hard the first couple Seasons I think they did but as I said I'm a Believer in the talent now I just got to see the coaching staff changes Russ Callaway stepping up more as a reliable shoulder to lean on for Billy Napier how much how much responsibility is he going to have compared to what he's had before in previous Seasons as I said all the coaching changes on the defensive side of the football you can point to Talent you can point to some of the changes Billy na has made that you can see you know not just settling and I think there's a narrative out there that uh probably gets pushed too far that maybe not enough's done I think enough is done doesn't mean it would necessarily work but I don't think he's sitting there digging the whole any deeper no no no not at all and I think that you know sometimes people blow like the culture talk out of proportion but I genuinely believe that he has set a really good base for that culture and the kind of people that he wants to play for the team he wants team players he wants good guys who are willing to sacrifice for their teammates and he really does his best to instill that it's not about me it's about the hole um now we just need to see that hole come together and put the product on the field Alex I got I gotta ask as you said Gator fan growing up Gator fan who who is your personal biggest rival the team Florida has to be year in and year out oh my gosh that's that's like asking you know I don't have any children but like you know who your favorite child is like but or I guess least favorite but um you know I I grew up with you know Florida State being the guys who we we did not like um you know I am a fourth generation Gator uh I went to Florida my dad went to Florida my uncle went to Florida my grandma my grandpa my great grandma all went to Florida um and so it runs deep and Florida State I mean obviously you know the Rivalry didn't really get super heated until the 90s um but I uh I've always grown up with Florida State being like that team but will say in like these last couple years like after like the hurricane stuff of LSU I've really grown a a dislike for LSU and uh and Georgia but um you know I I I would love to be Georgia I I don't know that it's gonna happen but um I think you know Florida State given their outstanding performance in Dublin Ireland I think that uh we could potentially take them at the end of the season yeah we get we get the fortunate of seeing that game in week zero so if you want to change your predictions a little bit for this season you know everybody's more willing to to do that because of that I think we all I want to continue the fun we had a lot of fun last Saturday I want I want more fun this Saturday yeah at least just give me a week of the fun right like if after Miami you know if it happens where we you know we can't pull it off we had the week to feel really good um you know hopefully we can continue the Good Vibes past that that'd be nice that's and that's what I've brought to me the narrative changed for Florida Miami pretty quickly with Florida State losing like there to me and and I've talked about it before it really to me adds more to Florida Miami because you're now seeing the winner of this game may may be that team to beat in the State of Florida yeah absolutely and I mean I you know I know UCF fans are going to be knocking on the door saying hey where where we at huh don't you see the you see the banner see it's still up there um but you know at the same time my sister so continue the family Dynamic my sister went to UCF uh my mom went to Miami I went to Florida so we're just all over the state there go fortunately none of us went to Florida State um but uh that's how the Hate's real exactly it runs deep uh we all just focus in on disliking Florida State um but you know I I genuinely believe that even if we do beat Miami that UCF still can present a challenge I it's the big three still you know I I I don't disagree with that I still think that UCF they still have that like little brother chip on their shoulder that they want to show that they're the big dogs that they can compete with the top tier talent and we'll get to that you know in a couple of weeks but um yeah you're absolutely right this could be that that game that says okay well we're the only one of the big three that's still undefeated after week one yeah for sure for sure uh Alex let's go to uh you know why you and I are getting together here I'm glad we were able to get together put you on the sidelines for the Gator Games and so you're on the sidelines but again I've been in that position too as a as a videographer that's how you know in in the news business how I got started covering Florida was on the sidelines with a video camera in my hands uh but it's Unique for you man you know really close to the ACT you're looking through a camera lens you what are some things that you view from the sideline that you think are pretty unique well I think the one thing that I get to experience that a lot of the media members don't which I I know that a lot of them they they stay up in the uh the Press Box uh watch from there they have their binoculars um you know they're getting commentary from uh my friend Julio sento who's a fraternity brother my Dad's friend from college he does a lot of the inbox uh readings back to the the media members but for me down on the sideline I get to be right next to these first of all they look a lot bigger when you're standing next to them when you're up in the stands like you're like oh these guys are pretty big but then you look up and you know I'm standing next to like dvon Dexter from a couple years ago and dude is 66 and you're like having to like stand up on a pedestal to see him but um you get to hear just how energized they are before the games you're hearing like they're just they're just like ready to rip someone's head off like even in the practice when they're going up against their coaches you can hear that they just want to get on the field and um you know you hear the coaches hyping them up you hear uh them H hyping their teammates up and I don't know just it's really invigorating and energizing to be near that um and just see how ready they are to to get out there and to play some football that's the main thing that I see yeah so I'm going to put it up here uh this is a lot of this is an example of some of your greatest work of course the one-handed catch by Ricky prol um so is the type of photos guys you can expect there on Gat breakdown. comom Alex we'll share them you a few social media as well uh but Al what does it take to get a shot like this you know what does it take to get the perfect shot of course you're relying on great plays to be made at the same time but I mean that that that takes skill and talent too to get a shot like that of the most maybe the most famous catch of you know at least in recent memory but yeah I can't think of one yeah yeah I can't think of one that's that was quite like that one and you ask any photographer I have a lot of buddies on the sidelines youall should definitely go check them out as well you got Matt Pendleton David Bowie James Gilbert a lot of these guys who come shoot the games and uh they're all incredible photographers and uh I will tell you all of us have the same feeling about this that it takes a lot of luck to get these shots because it never fails that I'll run down to the end zone and get in my spot and I'll be on like the the right corner of the end zone because like I know they like to throw Fades to that corner and they they'll run it the opposite way and then you're you know you can't shoot across the entire End Zone because you have other photographers stacked up next to you or the the pylons are in the way or the field goal post so it takes a lot of luck and a little bit of skill so you just got to be ready and something that helps me is I've been watching football since I was a baby so you know I I I played football um I it sounds cheesy but like I will literally read the the quarterback's eyes before so I will not be looking through the lens the entire time I'll be watching over the top of my camera to see where the quarterback's looking and then quickly you know shoot over to whatever receiver he's targeting and then I'll lock in as soon as I see it out of my peripherals that the ball's coming I'll I'll do that because if you really watch a replay the ball was in the air for this play for all of two seconds um and so you know if you're not paying attention you're that ball is going to be out of your peripher you're not going to see it and so I was fortunate enough to you know be looking at the right receiver at the right time and uh you know you still snap about 30 30 photos in that two second window just to make sure you get it right for sure I'm glad you said that too you know being able to watch football for so long you get you do pick up on how to shoot it uh a little bit better it takes skill to shoot but it also takes skill to kind of know where it's going um I had the fortune of my my camera training started covering the triple auction at Georgia 7 so that was you know try trying to film that and all the fakes and fake handoffs and all that it will train you very well oh yeah in the uh in the videography photography world of of of football there so um was um what before we go to the next and we'll close this out what is your favorite what is your favorite Gator moment oh man again this goes back to like the favorite Child thing and you know I've I've been fortunate to go to a lot of Gator Games in my life uh my first game was 1997 against Florida State um and I did not miss a home game for 23 years I I I went with my grandma and my my father every single week weekend Whenever there was a home game and we saw a lot of great things I was there for the uh the famous Jarvis Moss block against South Carolina I was there uh for I was on the field actually for When Brad Stewart intercepted Joe burrow to seal the LSU game this one's not as exciting but I remember being very excited was um I can't remember what player it is off the top of my head but the block the blocked punt against I think it was like UL Lafayette or um yeah yeah yeah yeah one one of those teams but you know there there's been so many the the the Hail Mary from Felipe Frank to Tyreek Cleveland um it's you can't pick one I mean there's just been so many outstanding memories um you know from when I was a kid to even now you know uh L Michel perin's you know 70 plus yard touchdown I was sitting right in the end zone for that um that he ran right to me so I I I've enjoyed sincerely every every moment that I've had there win or lose it's you know in all kinds of weather I stand by that yeah so Alex you know we hope you can capture a lot of special moments uh this this spe this season for the Gator uh but also it's not just for football you can Capture Moments for anybody out there so let everybody know the type of work and you extending that past Sports you know you probably won't be available for fall game Saturdays uh but beyond that how you can help some people out there capture their moments yeah so um photography for the last seven or eight years has been a just a a hobby a passion uh my father was a photographer in college college and I grew up taking pictures uh you know starting with you know like a leaf and a bug to uh you know in 20 I want to say it was like 2014 or 2015 Landon watnik who was working for inside the Gators called me up and said hey you want to come shoot some practices and then that transformed into what it is now but um you know I I can do photo shoots outside of football um but I tend to find myself pretty busy with my day job uh here in Jacksonville which is uh doing real estate I've been a realtor for about four and a half years now um and just joined a team as well so we're uh we're trying to join forces with uh my good friend Julianne Grant Johnson we started a team called the Grant Johnson group uh and we work all over Northeast Florida yep there we are um Julianne is an outstanding partner in all of this um she uh her husband is in the military and Jacksonville for anyone who knows anything about Jacksonville we have a lot of military bases here so uh we specialize in working with VA clients uh firsttime home buyers and uh so if anyone ever has any questions you can DM me on uh X or Twitter or whatever you would like to call it uh Instagram wherever you'd like I'm always here to help out and do what I can to provide you some information about the housing market over in Northeast Florida yeah that's good too so yeah whether you're looking to move to Jacksonville hopefully you are you can be you can be closer to the gator be closer to us as well but at the same time um if you're Jacksonville area uh and just looking to move around the area Alex has got you covered there as you said DM him on Twitter um maybe we'll come up with some other way to contact as well certainly don't want to give a phone number out there just yet but well we'll we'll get there down the road if I start to see enough messages coming through maybe I can give a phone number to a couple people yeah for sure for sure but we're going to do this every week focus on the gator here with Alex stepper of course we'll be able to share images from the previous game the previous home game of course and then we'll talk a little bit of football along the way as the season progresses there for the Gator Alex hopefully we're talking about a lot more wins this year my friend I mean I I I genuinely believe that we're going to be seeing a team that that has more wins than people think and that's gonna start in a couple days I firmly believe it all right Alex hey man looking forward to it and I'll see you in gainville on Saturday go Gators and uh hey man I'm excited for this season yeah go Gators can't wait to see you man all right that'll do it for this episode of Gator breakdown man I'm we're ready fired up for this game versus Miami let's try and get some good feelings back in this program go get us a win Gators certainly what we're counting on to just have some more fun need a victory for the first time since mid October last year this needs something good to happen in this program ready for it ready to go tailgate ready to experience the swamp for a big game atmosphere and hoping hoping Gat come out with the victory I'm the host of Gator breakdown David Waters you can find me on social media at Gator Dave guys and girls out there thank you for joining me on this episode of Gator breakdown