The Florida Gators can almost taste the dish invite. Still, with twelve quarters of football left in the season, the team must quickly improve its pass rush. While detractors beat up the fact that their 20 sacks sits in a three-way tie for 11th in the SECthe problem goes deeper than that.

Florida tends to send the house at times, using defensive backs into the fray, just to generate even a scintilla of pressure. Teams know what’s coming and show absolutely zero fear. The lack of quality pass rushing continues to haunt the Gators. With a bowl berth on the line, they need to replace what doesn’t seem to be working.

Shuffle the lineup

By now everyone knows and understands what Tyreak Sapp comes to the table, but what about the players behind him? With much less snaps, LJ McCray flashed up and down. Why not insert him into a defense that plays a team that doesn’t have too much film, since he doesn’t see the field often?

At 6 feet 6 inches and 265 pounds, McCray has the arm length and strength to win on the outside, keep clean and collapse one side of the line. With so many athletes in the first seven, it doesn’t help to use everyone, especially the youngest. Florida has to win now and a passive approach to the pass rush won’t work.

Versatility and aggressiveness

Using a smooth front as a base doesn’t hurt anyone. In fact, you can play the line of scrimmage. By using stunts and loops, offenses will struggle to adjust quickly, not knowing where the pressure will start. Zone blitzes, one side overload, delayed blitzes can all produce a positive end result.

Basically, Florida can’t operate with the idea that if the rush doesn’t come home, the secondary will be toast. In reality, the secondary, to this point, performed well against the majority of its opponents. Can’t count on Texas like the Longhorns’ record defense with relative ease. Florida needs to let the athletes on the team play athletically. Unleash them in the field and see what they generate.

Overview

The University of Florida navigated a brutal schedule with heart and conviction. Now the pass rush must join the party. The Gators need to win two of their last three games. That includes a win against either LSU or Ole Miss.

As just a 3.5-point underdog to LSU, it doesn’t look like an impossible task. Both the Tigers and Rebels love to throw the ball. As a result, a competent and consistent pass rush can change the narrative.