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2011 Florida Gators Gambling Odds | Predictions

NCAA football preview guide for the 2011 Florida Gators NCAAF betting season. NCAA football gambling guru James Hayes weighs in with his college football picks, and BCS National champion cappers analysis…

2011-2012 Football Previews – SEC – Florida Gators

New head coach Will Muschamp evidently got tired of being the eternal coach-in-waiting at Texas, and snapped up a plum gig as the head man in Gainesville.

SEC 2011-12 Football Previews: Florida Gators
Coach: Will Muschamp
2010 Record: 8-5
Florida Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS: +3000
Florida Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2011 Schedule –>

Yet, this 2011 version of the Gators has far more questions to answer than they are used to.

Considering the UF faithful have grown accustomed to USC/Alabama-like dominance in the past seven seasons or so, last year’s eight-win campaign is not going to cut it. This team has had growing pains ever since hero/campus and local legend QB Tim Tebow moved on to the professional ranks.

Florida’s athletic department hired the intense Muschamp and former NFL guru and Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis in an urgent push to turn things around quickly.

Team Strengths

Every single off-season, Florida is adept at recruiting speed – the proof is always on its depth chart. The state of Florida is a treasure-trove for speed and athleticism; the Gators often do a great job securing many of the best to play in Gainesville.

For this year’s team, the running game will be explosive with senior Jeff Demps – an NCAA champ in the 60m dash – as well as Mike Gillislee, converted QB Trey Burton (who had 11 TDs in ’10) and utilityman Chris Rainey.

Florida features a clump of players on offense and defense that can put points on the board right away with game-changing speed and quickness.

The UF defense is also littered with highly-touted high school prospects, even if several of the starters are green. Keep an eye on the linebackers especially, there is a lot of talent there.

Team Weaknesses

In order for the Gators to get back atop the SEC, they need to get better pivot play. Last year’s starter John Brantley simply was not good enough. He is the penciled in starter as a senior in ’11, but his hold on the job is tenuous. Redshirt frosh Jordan Reed or #1 QB prospect Jeff Driskel could take the reins if Brantley does not continue to improve.

However, this was why UF brought in Weis as the new offensive co-ordinator; the Gators’ brain trust anticipates him being able to get the most out of Brantley or whomever is under center.

It won’t help that the offensive line returns only one starter from last year.

Janoris Jenkins, a first-team SEC CB in 2010 and the team’s best returning defender, was kicked off the team in the spring. This doesn’t bode well for a unit that already had to patch up heavy losses due to graduation, the pros and spent eligibility.

2011-12 Florida Football Prediction: 7-6

Speed can change a game instantly and I also anticipate Brantley to be better and hence secure his starting job, but there are just too many questions and holes on this team (despite a talented, but young, depth chart) to expect an instant fix. There are only 10 returning starters and Will Muschamp – while he was a defensive revelation at Texas – has never been a head coach before.

The Gators have uncertainty at crucial units like the defense and the O-line, which is devastating with an SEC schedule.

Florida probably won’t be down for long, but expect it to get more humbling before it gets better in The Swamp.

2011 Florida Gators Schedule

9/3/11 12:00 PM ET FLATL
9/10/11 12:00 PM ET UAB
9/17/11 12:00 PM ET TENN
9/24/11 12:00 PM ET @KENTY
10/1/11 12:00 PM ET ALAB
10/8/11 8:00 PM ET @LSU
10/15/11 12:00 PM ET @AUB
10/29/11 12:00 PM ET @GEO
11/5/11 12:00 PM ET VAN
11/12/11 12:00 PM ET @SOCAR
11/19/11 12:00 PM ET FUR
11/26/11 12:00 PM ET FSU

Click here to check out MORE 2011 college football previews for the 2011-2012 NCAA Football Season!

By James Hayes

James has been naming every player on the EA Sports video game rosters for half a decade now, he’s finally putting his knowledge to better use writing for us here at CappersPicks.com. Your comments are welcome below…Give Us Your Take!