Florida’s offensive line returns three, including the brother of a returning starter (Maurkice Pouncey moves from guard to center, and his brother Mike will start at guard). The offense, in total, returns seven starters.
Defensively, I have a few problems with Florida being a national championship contender, even though they return eight starters. They lost their two best defensive linemen, Clint McMillan and Derrick Harvey, and will start two sophomores and a junior. Sophomores Carlos Dunlap and Lawrence Marsh were highly recruited, but are yet unproven.
While the secondary returns all but one starter, SS Tony Joiner, their back seven is still young. In fact, they will start one senior in the entire defense (DT Javier Estopinan).
Like I said before, I will not believe the dramatic progress that Phil Steele, Athlon, et al. believe will occur until I see it. The Gators will have to prove me wrong.
Opponents: While Hawaii and Miami will be fun to watch to open up the season, I do not think that they will come close to beating Florida. Hawaii lost almost everything they had going for them, and Miami is still in rebuilding mode (although, if they keep Miami/Florida games coming every year, this will be a marquee game in three or four years).
The Gators' trip to Tennessee on September 20 will be their first big test. Everybody in the SEC knows that the rivalry here is not usually front-page news, but it is certainly fierce. If you have not read the Dixieland Delight by Clay Travis, he gives an excellent synopsis of the rivalry. I suggest you pick up that book. The Florida Tebows will probably give Tennessee a run for their money and come out with a close win.
A visit from LSU on October 11 and the Cocktail Party in Jacksonville with Georgia on November 1 loom large. Simply put, I think Florida may beat LSU but will most likely lose to a more talented (overall) Georgia team.
The other loss I predict on the schedule is a stunner by South Carolina. Steve Spurrier haunts Florida fans and is coaching an up and coming team that will surprise a lot of people this year.
I think Florida will be an injury-riddled team late in the year that will not prove to be quite as deep as some other SEC teams (Georgia and LSU come to mind), and some Spurrier magic will catapult his team to a last-second victory. You heard it here first.
Oh yeah, and they will beat Florida State to cap off a slightly disappointing season for Florida.
Prediction: 10-2
Sorry, Gator fans.
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