Florida Football: Power Ranking the Gators' 2012 Road Games

While Florida receives their fair share of hate for not playing non-conference road games out of state, Gator fans argue that playing the SEC schedule is tough enough. 

The real reason Florida doesn't go out of state for non-conference games is a desire to play seven home games every year. With eight conference games, an annual game in Jacksonville and a home-and-home series against Florida State, the only way to reach that number is to schedule three home games against lesser opponents.

The University of Florida is not the only school that strives to have seven home games and scheduling three "cupcake" games can often pay for most of, if not all, the visiting team's expenses for that season. 

The fact is that the Gators regularly play one of the more difficult schedules in the nation due to their conference schedule and their natural rivalry with Florida State.

2012 is no different and the Gators will face road tests early in the season. We should learn a lot about where Will Muschamp's Gators are in the first three weeks of the season before two tough road tests near the end of the year. 

Let's take a look at Florida's away schedule and power rank the games in order of how tough it will be for the Gators to come away with a win. 

5. Vanderbilt

Date: October 13

While Vandy lands in the five spot, don't sleep on the Commodores this season. 

In 2011 the 'Dores gave the Gators a scare in The Swamp and followed up with the 29th ranked recruiting class according to Rivals. 

The 'Dores bring back quarterback Jordan Rogers and running back Zac Stacy. Rogers accounted for 317 total yards and three touchdowns a season ago and frustrated the Gators defense with his ability to extend plays with his legs. 

The Gators will be coming off of a tough home game against LSU and could be looking ahead to another home test against South Carolina. Will Muschamp must keep his team focused on Vanderbilt if the Gators want to avoid an upset in Nashville. 

4. Texas A&M

Date: September 8

The Gators matchup with the Aggies has built up some hype during the offseason. Even the mayor of College Station got in on the offseason smack talk. 

While the back and forth between the two schools has been all fun and games, it will get serious in the second week of the season. 

The Gators travel to Kyle Field in hope of spoiling the Aggies inaugural SEC game. 

The Aggies will be working in a new coach, new offensive and defensive schemes and will be trying to find a new quarterback. Sound familiar Gator fans?The Aggies will go through the same growing pains that the Gators dealt with in 2011 and all the uncertainty will begin to show when the Gators come to town. 

Florida lucked out when the game was scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. As we know, night games can be extra difficult on the road as fans are given a couple extra hours to enjoy their libations before heading into the stadium. The Gators hope to show their newest conference mates the sobering reality of playing an SEC schedule. 

3. Tennessee

Date: September 15

Gator fans, pack your ear plugs because a trip to Knoxville means you will hear "Rocky Top" more times than you've heard "Call me Maybe." 

With a capacity of 102,455, this will be the biggest crowd the Gators play in front of all season. 

While the Gators are currently riding a seven game winning streak against the Vols, Tennessee has a talented young group on offense and could give the Gators a run for their money. 

Tennessee will have a talented group of receivers this year, and quarterback Tyler Bray has been working on his throwing mechanics this offseason. 

While the Gators have won the last five games against Tennessee by double digits, this is still a rivalry game, and anything can happen in a rivalry game on the road at night. 

2. Florida State

Date: November 24

After being down on their luck in the last couple of years under Bobby Bowden, Florida State has found new life under Jimbo Fisher. 

The Noles lost six straight games to the Gators under Bobby Bowden, but those days seem like a distant memory now. Jimbo Fisher became the first coach in Florida State history to win his first two meetings against the Gators. 

Last season was a tough game to watch. Florida State won the game 21-7 despite gaining just 95 total yards on offense. The Gators didn't manage much better, with only 185 total yards. 

Both teams will bring back top defenses in 2012, so get ready for another defensive struggle. Doak Campbell stadium will be sold out and the Noles will be looking to extend their winning streak to three over the hated Gators. 

1. Georgia

Date: October 27

The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party will be the toughest road game the Gators play this season. 

The annual meeting with the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Field in Jacksonville usually has SEC East championship implications. 

2012 will be no different. 

Gator fans feel like they gave the game away last year with costly turnovers while Georgia fans feel that their team took the game to the Gators. 

Florida and Georgia will have two of the best defenses in the SEC, if not the country, and defense will again rule this game. Georgia appears to have the more advanced offense heading into 2011 but the Gators should have some answers to their offensive questions by the time Georgia pops up on the schedule. 

Can Brent Pease have the Gators offense clicking on all cylinders for Georgia? Or will Aaron Murray and the Dawgs be too much for the Gators? Georgia is looking to win back to back games for the first time since 1988-89.