Mailbag: How Florida, Michigan raced ahead of the curve this year

Over the past couple of years, it seemed like Florida and Michigan were playing out parallel arcs 1,000 miles apart, with doomed four-year coaches (Will Muschamp and Brady Hoke) continually trotting out astonishingly anemic offenses. Now, they’re both seemingly enjoying parallel resurgences. Hi Stewart, I know it’s still two years out, but the 2017 matchup between Florida and Michigan is looking better and better after each Saturday. Which team’s success so far this season surprises you the most, and which coach do you think will have his team in a better position after two years at the helm? –Julie, Raleigh, N.C. Well, is that question even relevant given Jim Harbaugh will be coaching the Miami Dolphins next year? (… Sorry, just wanted to see how many incredulous Michigan fans I could get to scream out loud at the same time.) They’re both surprising, but Florida more so. All signs pointed to this being a potentially miserable rebuilding season given the seeming dearth of capable offensive linemen and skill players. Even if Will Grier or Treon Harris emerged as a viable quarterback (as Grier clearly has), he’d be hampered by lack of a supporting cast. Jim McElwain hinted as much in the spring with comments like, “You’ve got to play the hand you’re dealt and right now, quite honestly, the hand we were dealt is really insufficient at some of the areas.” Even as the Gators managed to survive against East Carolina and Kentucky, they looked like a team trying to get by with a competent but limited offense. But since the second half of the Tennessee game, we’ve seen not only Grier explode but more playmakers step up (Demarcus Robinson, Antonio Callaway, Brandon Powell Jake McGee) than seemingly the entirety of the Muschamp era…

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