GatorCountry brings you a new podcast as we breakdown Dan Mullen naming Felipe Franks as the Florida Gators starting quarterback on Monday.

Andrew Spivey and Nick de la Torre also break down the rest of the depth chart that was released ahead of the Gators season opener on Saturday night in the Swamp.

Andrew and Nick also give you the latest injury news and what they’re looking forward to seeing on Saturday night.

TRANSCRIPT:

Andrew:                 What’s up, Gator Country? Your man, Andrew Spivey, here with Nicholas de la Torre. Nicholas, you have a starting quarterback. The University of Florida has a starting quarterback. Dan Mullen spoke on Monday. We’re taping this on Monday. Named Feleipe Franks the starter. Well, actually named it beforehand when the depth chart came out. Had some interesting comments on why Mr. Franks was named the starter, and I’m happy to say that I think I may have to call BS on Mullen, and we’re 30 seconds in on the podcast.

Nick:                         You know why? I know why you’re saying that. You’re saying that because it’s the same reason that was given last year. He can extend plays and this and that. We saw 11 gaves and 8 starts with that.

Andrew:                 There was two comments that really stood out to me that even made me say BS more than that. He said he’s getting better at taking the short plays and understanding the reads. First of all, those two comments and Feleipe Franks don’t go together. Then his second comment was the experience of him playing last year didn’t play into this. I call major BS with that, because everyone we talked to says that if you watch practice Kyle was better than Feleipe, but I think you take in the experience. That’s what you and I have said in the past. You have to take that into consideration. Listen, it’s no surprise to me. It’s no surprise to you either. We both said Feleipe Franks was going to be the starter, but the reasons given for that are BS.

Nick:                         So, what do you think the reasons are?

Andrew:                 Exactly what we just said, that he said wasn’t the reason, his experience last year.

Nick:                         You’re calling an audible on what Mullen said and running the exact opposite play.

Andrew:                 100%. That is 100% that. I will say this too. I say that he is a guy that the guys on the team are more rallied around for the most part, I would say, because of what he went through last year as the starter and the ups and the downs, mainly downs, and Nussmeier being his OC. I think guys rallied around him.

Listen, I’m not sitting her today telling you guys on August 27th, this is Monday we’re taping this, that Feleipe Franks isn’t going to be better. I think he will be improved somewhat, because Dan Mullen is a much better quarterback coach than Doug Nussmeier is. But I’m sitting here saying also, listen, what you got last year was no joke either. As bad as Doug Nussmeier was as offensive coordinator, the guy couldn’t make a throw. The guy still locked onto one receiver.

Something else Dan Mullen said, he said a lot of times he can look at the quarterback and say, you know where you’re going with the ball right now, and the quarterbacks would look at him and say, how do you know that? If you’re expecting Feleipe Franks to know that, you got problems.

Nick:                         That comes with being a veteran, because what Mullen was saying is I know my play. As I break the huddle, or even not a huddle, as I look and scan the defense before I even say hut, I can see what they’re in. So, I know I don’t need to look at my one guy or my two guy. I’m throwing this quick slant, because I can tell what the coverage is. He’s saying, basically said, right now they’re not at that point yet. That could be because of inexperience, because of youth, but they’re not at that point yet. That comes with experience.