2011 Florida Gators Football: 7 Games That Could Be Blowouts

For UF to get some blowout victories, this man's offense will have to put up some points.
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Every year there are easy games and there are tough games, so says Captain Obvious.

Some aren't difficult to predict, while others catch you off guard.

In the case of the 2011 Florida Gators, there are five games a person could assume will be blowouts in UF's favor. Then, it gets a little tougher.

My assignment said to pick seven, and it also said they could be for or against the team I cover. So, Gator fans, don't inundate me with hate mail for the one I think could be ugly.

It isn't at LSU, at Auburn or even at South Carolina (which did bury Florida in The Swamp last season). In those rivalries, it generally is an anomaly when the contests aren't close. So, I'm using history as my backup there, as well as with the one I'm sure will bring out the orange and blue venom.

And before you want to string me up, remember, I have UF going 6-1 in these games.

Florida Atlantic

Howard Schnellenberger will bring FAU to Gainesville for the season opener.
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GameDay: Sept. 3 (in Gainesville)

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This program is just a decade old, and Howard Schnellenberger has done nice work in a state where it is tough to overcome "the Big Three" (as well as South Florida and Central Florida), but let's be real: This game, as well as the ones the Owls play Sept. 10 at Michigan State and Sept. 24 are merely paydays for FAU.

There really is no expectation of victory.

Alabama-Birmingham

GameDay: Sept. 10 (in Gainesville)

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I'm predicting a blowout Gator win here, but don't get too carried away with overconfidence.

Sure, UAB went just 4-8 last season, but two of those losses were close ones at Tennessee (32-29 in double overtime) and at Mississippi State (29-24), almost as close as UF's 10-7 home loss to the Bulldogs).

Still, the Blazers also lost by a combined 56 points to SMU and UCF.

Tennessee

Tyler Bray will try to do what Peyton Manning never could: beat Florida.
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GameDay: Sept. 17 (in Gainesville)

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So, this was the one of the six that wasn't so easy to call.

Someday, the Vols are going to break through and beat the Gators again, but recent history hasn't been so kind to the fellas from Rocky Top.

The last four meetings (starting at 2010 and going backwards) between the two teams have seen UF win by 10, 14, 24 and 39 points, respectively.

Hey, I guess UT fans can at least say it has gotten closer each time.

Kentucky

A product of the Sunshine State, Danny Trevathan is one of the SEC's best linebackers.
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GameDay: Sept. 24 (in Lexington, Ky.)

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Many "Big Blue" fans were of the belief 2010 might be the year the Wildcats finally broke through and beat Florida (many Gator fans were uneasy, as well). Then, UK's defense allowed UF freshman Trey Burton to turn in video game stats with six touchdowns in a 48-14 thumping.

Former coach Rich Brooks and his replacement, Joker Phillips, have done a lot to help make football something more than just a way to pass the time between basketball seasons in Lexington, but they have yet to overcome the massive hurdle that is Florida.

Alabama

Courtney Upshaw is willing to go heels over head to make a play - just ask John Brantley.
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GameDay: Oct. 1 (in Gainesville)

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Yes, Florida has won its share against Alabama in recent years, going 2-3 against the Crimson Tide since 2005. And UF's average margin of victory in those two wins was 13.

However, the other three contests have seen Alabama win by 28, 19 and 25 points. Granted, none of those wins came in Gainesville, but this Tide team is talking BCS national championship and is riding a two-game winning streak against the Gators.

Florida will be fired up and ready to play, but will it be enough?

Vanderbilt

Quarterback Larry Smith and the Vanderbilt offense returns in full from 2010.
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GameDay: Nov. 5 (in Gainesville)

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There have been some seasons Vanderbilt has played Florida tough (ask Danny Wuerffel about that), but the Commodores are 0-18-1 since beating the Gators for the first and only time in Gainesville in 1945.

That was the year Steve Spurrier was born.

Going from 2007-10, UF has topped Vandy 49-22, 42-14, 27-3 and 55-14. The Commodores should improve on last season's 2-10 mark, but they probably won't come close here.

Furman

Former Gator (and current NFL) quarterback Ingle Martin finished his college career at Furman.
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GameDay: Nov. 19 (in Gainesville)

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The Paladins return seven starters on each side of the ball from a 5-6 team. They also have two wins all-time in eight tries against Florida. Furman also played South Carolina closer (in a 38-19 road loss) than UF did (in a 36-14 home defeat) in 2010.

That's the good news.

The bad? Those wins came against Florida in 1922 and 1930, and there is no way the Gamecocks were as fired up for the Paladins as for the Gators.

Look for this game —the bridge between South Carolina and Florida State—to be a showcase of backup quarterback Tyler Murphy and whoever isn't red-shirted among the duo of true freshmen Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett.

Also, don't expect to look for it on anything but pay-per-view.