College Football Preview: The 6 Toughest Games for the Florida Gators in 2011

The Florida Gators are in the rebuilding phase heading into the 2011 season, and their schedule will push them to the limits.

Being in the Southeastern Conference brings a lot of tough match-ups throughout the season, and the Gators will have to face some of the best teams in the nation on a weekly basis.

Often times, the Gators are criticized for not playing any noteworthy non-conference games outside the state of Florida, but their 2011 SEC schedule will be plenty for a team who will be searching for an identity.

Regardless of the criticisms, the Gators will face a tough stretch of games in October against the SEC West and Georgia, along with a November match-up against their in-state rival Florida State.

Here are the six toughest games for the Florida Gators in the 2011 season.

6. Florida vs Georiga

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party always features an exciting contest between Florida and Georgia.

With the exception of 2007, it seems as if the Gators have dominated this series for quite a while now, but that could all change this season.

The Bulldogs have arguably the best quarterback in the SEC in Aaron Murray, and he is my dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy this season.

Along with Murray, the Bulldogs have an experienced running back in Caleb King and standout freshman Isaiah Crowell, who could carry Georgia's running game next season.

But I think this game will hinder more on the Gators. 

They will be coming off a tough stretch against LSU, Alabama and Auburn. If the Gators lose all three of those games, it might be tough for Florida to play its best against Georgia after sustaining a tough losing streak.

But, if Florida wins two out of those three games, the Gators could be at the top of the SEC East and still have a lot to play for when they meet up with Georgia.

However, a lot of experts believe Georgia will contend with South Carolina for the SEC East championship, so it will be an interesting match-up for the Gators. 

They will have to concentrate on shutting down Murray and Crowell if they expect to extend their winning streak against the Bulldogs.

5. Florida vs Auburn

Auburn University was the only SEC team that Urban Meyer failed to beat during his tenure as Florida's head coach.

They suffered two tough defeats against the Tigers, one at Auburn in 2006 and on Wes Byrum's game-winning field goal at the Swamp in 2007.

And the 2010 seasons for these teams were polar opposites. The Tigers won the BCS National Championship behind the play of quarterback Cam Newton, and the Gators struggled under the inconsistent play of quarterback John Brantley.

The Gators will finally face Auburn again for the first time in four years, and the match-up will be at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

That is what makes this game so tough for the Gators. Football games at Auburn's stadium provide some of the most tumultuous conditions for the away team.

And with Brantley at the helm again in 2011, the Gators' offense could relive some of the same struggles from 2010 during this game.

It will take an almost perfect game by the Gators for them to come out on top. The defense will have to be the bright spot by forcing Auburn's inexperienced quarterbacks to throw interceptions. 

Players like Ronald Powell, Sharrif Floyd and Jelani Jenkins will have to maintain pressure in the Auburn backfield, so the defense can take advantage.

4. Florida vs South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks derailed the hopes of Florida returning to the SEC Championship game for the third consecutive year.

South Carolina's victory was due in large part to the dominating running game of Marcus Lattimore. He rushed for 212 yards in that game, a career high.

This season, Lattimore has Heisman hopes, and Alshon Jeffery and Stephen Garcia both return this year.

The Gamecocks are the preseason favorite to win the SEC East again, and they will be a tough opponent for any team throughout the season.

Unfortunately, the game is in Columbia, so the Gators will have to overcome the road atmosphere.

I do not see the Gators winning this game, but in order for them to prove me wrong, they will have to cause Garcia to turn the ball over and keep the ball out of Lattimore's hands.

Once again, the pass rush from Ronald Powell and company will be very critical to the Gators' success this year against the Gamecocks.

3. Florida vs Florida State

The 2010 match-up between the Florida Gators and Florida State Seminoles had more implications than just a simple win or loss.

To fans, it represented a new beginning for Florida State and an end to the Gators' dominance over the state of Florida.

This year, the contest between the Gators and the Seminoles will have just as many, if not more, implications.

The Seminoles will be a preseason top 10 team, and the Gators are seemingly reeling after the 2010 season and the departure of Urban Meyer.

Not to mention, FSU has also picked up steam in recruiting after having the top recruiting class last season.

The Gators will be the underdog against FSU, but will be helped tremendously by their home-field advantage.

When the two teams meet, the Seminoles could very likely be playing for a spot in the BCS Championship. They will certainly have a lot of momentum heading into the game. Stopping the Seminoles' momentum in this rivalry will be crucial for the Gators' reputation in the state of Florida and around college football.

The Gators will have to attack FSU early if they want to impede the year-long celebration by Seminole fans of that 31-7 debacle from last season.

2. Florida vs Alabama

Perhaps the Florida Gators' biggest rival for the past several years has been the Alabama Crimson Tide.

After defeating them in the 2008 SEC Championship game, the Gators have lost to the Tide the past two seasons, once in an SEC Championship rematch, and the second in Tuscaloosa last season.

The Gators were at the top of the college football world in 2008 and 2009, and so were the Tide. The difference has been that the Tide have maintained their ranking, while the Gators struggled last season.

But the Tide come back to Gainesville for the first time since 2006, and Florida will look to switch the momentum,

Once again, Alabama will be a top-ranked team heading into the season and have another legitimate Heisman candidate in running back Trent Richardson.

It is not too often that the Gators are underdogs in their own stadium, but this is one of those times.

The Tide do not have many weaknesses, and even in an atmosphere like the Swamp, they will be tough to stop.

But the Gators have the athletes and the talent to make a run at the Tide. Once again, the crowd will play a big part in how the Gators respond to adversity against the Tide. 

Some might argue that the Seminoles will be the tougher game for the Gators due to the in-state rivalry, but the Tide are a stronger team than FSU this season.

The Gators will have to play nearly perfect for them to come out victorious.

1. Florida vs LSU

Florida playing at LSU in a night game could almost seem like a death sentence for the Gators.

Maybe that is why they call it "Death Valley."

In all of the night home games LSU has played since 2002, the Tigers have only lost one game, and that one game was against the Gators in 2009.

But this is a completely different Gator team, one that is searching for an identity.

LSU will also be a top-ranked team this season and one that will be led by senior Jordan Jefferson and a opportunistic Tiger defense.

Many believe Tiger Stadium is the toughest place to in all of college football.

I dont foresee the Gators coming out with a victory in this game, but I believe they will keep it close.