Florida Football: Ranking the 2012 Schedule from Easiest to Toughest

Nobody really expected a 7-6 season under first-year head coach Will Muschamp, but with the Gators returning 16 starters, a much better season is expected in his second year.

While the talent is certainly on the roster, a typical SEC schedule is starring them in the face, which will make things difficult to compete in the SEC East. Playing teams such as LSU, Georgia and South Carolina is not an easy task heading into the 2012 season.

With the college football season right around the corner, here are the easiest and most difficult games on the 2012 Florida Gators schedule.

12. Vs. Jacksonville State

Last year's record: 7-4

Returning starters: N/A

It does not matter how many issues this Florida team has to deal with before the season kicks off—there is no way it loses to Jacksonville State. We have seen many bizarre things in the sport, but this certainly will not be one of them.

11. Vs. Bowling Green

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 17

Bowling Green may return the majority of its starters from a year ago, but the Falcons are in over their heads here. The Falcons defense was brutal last season, and this is a program that is 0-4 against ranked teams in the last three seasons. I'll take a talented SEC team over a team in the MAC any day of the week.

10. Vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: 10

Louisiana-Lafayette returns eight starters on offense but only two on defense. Actually, that may be a good thing, considering the Ragin' Cajuns defense allowed nearly 30 points per contest last season. Regardless, this is a team that the Gators should handle with ease, especially if they would like to climb back on top of the SEC.

9. Vs. Kentucky

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 12

I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter what is going on with these two programs. When they meet, the Gators will simply win. Florida has won the last 25 matchups against the Wildcats and 31 of the last 32. Really, that's all you need to know about this matchup.

8. At Vanderbilt

Last year's record: 6-7

Returning starters: 16

Similar to its results against Kentucky, Florida has won the last 21 meetings against Vanderbilt. Although last year's meeting came very close to the Commodores snapping that streak, you have to believe that the Gators overall talent is enough to win for Florida. Vanderbilt is making huge strides under head coach James Franklin, but Florida is just more of a complete team at this point heading into the year.

7. Vs. Missouri

Last year's record: 8-5

Returning starters: 11

Missouri is a newbie of the SEC but does not lack talent, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. Players such as quarterback James Franklin and wide receivers T.J. Moe and Dorial Green-Beckham are SEC-type talent. It has yet to be seen how this team will hold up against a more competitive schedule, but the Tigers are not a team to sleep on.

6. At Texas A&M

Last year's record: 7-6

Returning starters: 15

Texas A&M may be the more complete team out of the two newbies, as the Aggies have one of the best defensive and offensive lines in the country. They also have a big-time wide receiver in Ryan Swope, who was an All-Conference player last season. There is also nothing easy about taking a trip to Kyle Field. Just when you thought the SEC can't get any more difficult.

5. At Tennessee

Last year's record: 5-7

Returning starters: 18

Tennessee has been one of the laughing stocks of this conference the past few seasons, but all that could change in 2012. The Volunteers have pretty much all of their team returning this year, including getting a playmaker back from injury in wide receiver Justin Hunter. The Gators have won the last seven meetings against Tennessee, but that could change this season when they travel to Knoxville in Week 3.

4. Vs. South Carolina

Last year's record: 11-2

Returning starters: 13

The Gamecocks won 11 games last season and should be even better in 2012. A total of six starters return from a defense that ranked third in the country, quarterback Connor Shaw has a year under his belt and a healthy Marcus Lattimore should be back in the backfield. South Carolina is without question a legitimate SEC contender, and it will take a strong performance to end a two-game slide against Steve Spurrier's club.

3. At Florida State

Last year's record: 9-4

Returning starters: 14

We keep asking when Florida State will be back to the program we are all used to seeing. It may be this year, it may not be. Regardless, the Gators have struggled against their hated rival the last two seasons, and with the Seminoles returning the majority of their key players, things don't look good for Florida. That defense is no joke, and the game is being played in Doak Campbell Stadium—where Florida is 3-5 in the last eight seasons.

2. Vs. Georgia (In Jacksonville, FL)

Last year's record: 10-4

Returning starters: 15

Georgia is probably the most slept-on team in the SEC at the moment. The Bulldogs are extremely talented on both sides of the ball and return nine starters from a defense that was ranked fifth in the country. Quarterback Aaron Murray has emerged as one of the better quarterbacks in the country, and Georgia should have a nice 1-2 combo in Isaiah Crowell and true-freshman Keith Marshall. The world's largest cocktail party may require a few more drinks from Florida fans when this game is over.

1. Vs. LSU

Last year's record: 13-1

Returning starters: 12

The Gators are 3-5 in the last eight games against the LSU Tigers, including a 30-point loss last season. The bad news is that this LSU team may be even better than it was last year. The Tigers are still loaded on defense, have arguably the deepest backfield in the country and possibly have a real quarterback in Zach Mettenberger. There are a lot of tough games for Florida in 2012, but this is the most difficult to come by.