Legends Take: Florida Gators’ struggles

Boise State looked worthy, Michigan looked fast and Oregon put up 72, but that’s not what caught Pat Dye’s eye in Week 1.

The Hall of Fame coach said he was most impressed by Georgia and South Carolina. In fact, the Auburn great went a step further.

“Based on what I saw this weekend, both of them (Georgia and South Carolina) are better football teams than Florida,” said Dye during the first Legend’s Poll conference call of the season on Tuesday. “Now, Florida may make tremendous improvement, but they have a long way to go. To me, they looked like a team in disarray.”

Fellow Legend’s Poll voter Bill Mallory was in Gainseville and got a firsthand look at the Gators’ struggles in an ugly 34-12 win over Miami (OH). Florida had less than 50 yards of offense heading into the fourth quarter and finished with same amount of total yards, 212, as the visiting RedHawks, who were 1-11 last season.

“Miami should be improved, but it’s certainly not in the same class as Florida,” said Mallory. “I know they have great athletes, but, boy, I certainly don’t believe they’re the No. 4 team in the nation.”

While the Gators try to find their way, Georgia and South Carolina have an opportunity get out in front in the SEC East. The Gamecocks host the Bulldogs Saturday in Columbia.

UGA, playing without star receiver A.J. Green and leading returning rusher Washuan Ealey, breezed past Louisiana-Lafayette in its season opener in Athens.

South Carolina showed off its offensive firepower in a 41-13 rout of Southern Mississippi on Thursday night.

“Everyone’s talking about Ohio State and Miami and Oklahoma and Florida State, but Georgia-South Carolina might be the best game of the weekend,” added Dye.

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