2012-13 Football Previews – (SEC) – Florida Gators
The Gators, long an SEC powerhouse, must rebound from a disappointing 2011 season. Until 2010, Florida (under former head coach Urban Meyer) made appearing in BCS bowls its calling card, winning a national title in ’08 against Oklahoma and a Sugar Bowl in ’09 versus upstart Cincinnati.
SEC 2012-13 Football Previews: Florida Gators
Coach: Will Muschamp
2011 Record: 7-6
Florida Gambling Odds from Bovada.lv to win BCS: 50-1
Florida Team Page – Players Stats – Roster – 2012 Schedule –>
Optimism is high in Gainesville that the beloved Gators can get back to their winning ways. A year of experience should work wonders for this team and for second-year head man Will Muschamp, the fired-up former Texas defensive co-ordinator. The SEC is never a cakewalk, but the East division is less deep than is the West; the Gators stand a decent chance of re-asserting themselves in the conference – and national – picture.
Florida’s fantastic defense should go a long way towards bringing the program back to prominence. UF should have one of the best defensive units in the nation, led by MLB Jonathan Bostic, DT Sharrif Floyd, OLB Jelani Jenkins and safety Matt Elam. The entire Gators team was green last year, and the year of a baptism of fire was likely a good thing, in the long run. Years of strong recruiting have translated into Florida rolling out a fast, athletic team perennially.
A big factor in exactly how much this team improves will be the quarterback play. Health was a big factor with Florida’s QBs in 2011, with starter John Brantley battling injuries – and inconsistency – all season. This year, sophomore Jeff Driskel should be a more reliable presence for the Gators; he was the top QB recruit in the nation two years ago and looks the part, going at 6”4, 232 lbs, with a strong arm and athleticism to spare.
Sophomore Jacoby Brissett will back up and has the skill-set to provide some insurance if Driskel encounters some Brantley-like misfortune. Behind those dudes in the backfield will be senior RB Mike Gillislee. He, combined with sophomore Mack Brown, should make Florida more effective running between the tackles. The Gators have had top-tier speed for years now, with track stars like Jeff Demps, WR Andre Debose and Chris Rainey, but Florida truly needs a more well-rounded run game. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Expect the Gators defensive front seven to be absolutely imposing, with the secondary making profound strides from last year’s “sink or swim” situation. The special teams units will be speedy and nasty, and of course are headlined by senior kicker Caleb Sturgis (a Groza Award candidate) and returning sophomore P Kyle Christy. There is no doubt that Muschamp has a fine stable of players to deploy against 2012 opponents.
2012-13 Florida Football Prediction: 11-3
Finishing 7-6 last season was a very un-Florida year and the rabid fan base was predictably crestfallen. However, things could look up in a hurry in Gainesville. The year of experience was crucial for a team that was talented last year, but very raw and rather unlucky (injuries to Brantley, etc.) This time, a lot could ride on how well Driskel can command his offense. The Gators have talented skill-position players and a very solid offensive line; if Driskel can harness his potential to string it all together, UF is a surefire East division contender.
I see Florida duking it out with Georgia for the SEC East division crown, and they could wind up on top. The Gators really have only three conference road games (not counting the annual rivalry game against Georgia, which is played in Jacksonville, FL – I consider that rather an advantage for the northern Florida side). Yet, with such a strong Florida State squad this season, I don’t see the Gators winning their rivalry game with their nemesis from Tallahassee.
I think Georgia is a slightly safer bet to win the East division this season, and though UF is a country mile better than last year, I see them coming up just short.
2012 Schedule
9/1/12 TBD BGREN
9/8/12 TBD @TXAM
9/15/12 TBD @TENN
9/22/12 TBD KENTY
10/6/12 TBD LSU
10/13/12 TBD @VAN
10/20/12 TBD SOCAR
10/27/12 3:30 PM ET @GEO
11/3/12 TBD MISOU
11/10/12 TBD ULLAF
11/17/12 TBD JACST
11/24/12 TBD @FSU
