Florida Gators still searching for their identity this season

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Separation between Florida, Georgia noticeable

When the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs face off in Jacksonville on Saturday, it will be a battle of two teams going in different directions. The Bulldogs are 7-0 and the No. 3 team in the country under second-year head coach Kirby Smart. The Gators, winners of the SEC East the last two years, are 3-3 in Jim McElwain’s third season and coming off back-to-back losses.

How did it get this way? Our Ryan Young explains:

“To put it simply, Georgia has found an identity under Smart, while Florida is searching for one, no longer the dominant defense it once was and no closer to being the offense that was envisioned when McElwain arrived.

And that’s the sobering reality for Florida fans this week. Struggling with a young team is one thing. Watching a rival need less time to successfully become what was once hoped for from this regime is only going to make this Gators rebuild all the more frustrating.”

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A closer look at Jim McElwain’s death threat comments

McElwain’s unprompted comments about family members of the team receiving death threats shook up the fan base heading into the biggest week of the Gators’ season. It also provided a glimpse into a potential divide between McElwain and the administration of Florida’s University Athletic Association.

As the Tampa Bay Times’ Matt Baker reported on Tuesday, this isn’t the first time McElwain and the UAA administration has had friction between them. Some highlights from Baker:

“McElwain had his say Monday. He chose to bring up death threats while answering an innocuous question about whether his team deserves praise for its effort, in the face of injuries, suspensions and Irma. Then he chose not to give more details about them, even after he was pressed by reporters and administrators.

UF had its say, too. It chose to make a questionable statement about the first head coach in SEC history to make it to the league title game in his first two seasons.”

Recruiting roundup

• Both McElwain and Smart are rolling on the recruiting front.
• Several Florida commits plan to utilize the early signing period in December.
• Running back commit Dameon Pierce passed Herschel Walker on Georgia’s high school career rushing list.

In other Florida football news

• Don’t expect McElwain to give up on his plan at Florida despite critics.
• A teammate said wide receiver Tyrie Cleveland looks like he is “back to his old self.”
• A closer look at Florida’s passing offense, youth and recent success in the series against Georgia.
• Georgia players responded to Florida’s smack talking.

Florida hoops to play charity exhibition game

The Gators announced Tuesday that their men’s basketball team will play an exhibition game at Jacksonville University on Nov. 2 to raise funds for hurricane relief. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.

“We’ve seen the news coverage and heard stories of all the people affected by the weather damage around our state, so we’re glad to be able to take part in this event and appreciate Jacksonville University’s willingness to host the Gators to benefit a great cause,” Florida coach Mike White said in a statement.

Around UF

• Men’s golf: The Gators finished in second place at the 2017 Tavistock Collegiate Invitational, posting a three-day team score of 5 under 859.
• Swimming and diving: Senior Jan Switkowski was named the SEC Male Swimmer of the Week on Tuesday.

Let’s keep talking

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What they’re saying on Twitter

Defensive lineman Jordan Sherit:

I want to thank my friends, family, and all of gator nation for the overwhelming prayers and… https://t.co/eRkyAK33lv

— Jordan Sherit (@JSherit17) October 24, 2017

Linebacker Ventrell Miller:

Patiently waiting, y'all gone feel me next year, remember what I saying now. #SelfMotivated #ItsNotAYearToBeAverage

— Ventrell Miller (@ventrell_miller) October 24, 2017

Quarterback Luke Del Rio:

It’s gonna be over ONE HUNDRED degrees tonight on October 24th in Los Angeles. But global warming doesn’t exist 🤔 #WorldSeries2017

— Luke Del Rio (@Ldelrio12) October 24, 2017

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