Florida Football: Best- and Worst-Case Scenarios for 2015
There are plenty of variables for the Florida Gators this season. The 2015 Gators will feature a new head coach in Jim McElwain, possibly a new quarterback in Will Grier and most importantly a talent-laden roster capable of competing in the SEC.
But a team with just as much talent managed only seven wins last season. How much improvement the Gators will show in year one under McElwain is one of the biggest questions in the SEC heading into the 2015 season.
The Gators' talent could rise to the occasion to make Florida an SEC power once again. On the other hand, McElwain could take his lumps in his first season as a head coach in the SEC.
Here are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the Florida Gators in 2015.
Best Case
In the best-case scenario, McElwain brings the Gators' talented roster together to show impressive improvement in year one.
Will Grier wins the quarterback battle over Treon Harris early in fall camp and is given plenty of time to establish continuity with the rest of the offense, especially junior receiver Demarcus Robinson and sixth-year tight end Jake McGee.
As a redshirt freshman, Grier doesn't have game experience, but he certainly has the physical attributes and an accurate arm.
The biggest problem in Florida's offense under Will Muschamp was it was almost always one-dimensional. The Gators finished 12th in the conference in passing each of the last two years. Grier can help change that, and McElwain can bring him along slowly by putting him in situations to make simple reads and throws, much like he did with A.J. McCarron at Alabama in 2011.
Despite returning only one starter from last season, the new offensive line is able to jell early on. Martez Ivey has a freshman season resembling that of Cameron Robinson or Laremy Tunsil. Also, FCS transfer Mason Halter adds much-needed depth at the Gators' thinnest position.
The presence of a passing threat and a capable offensive line open up running back Kelvin Taylor for a breakout 2015 season.
On defense, the Gators don't miss a beat without Muschamp in control. Vernon Hargreaves and Jalen Tabor shut down opposing receivers, while Alex McCalister and CeCe Jefferson put the heat on quarterbacks.
Joey Ivie and Caleb Brantley are able to plug holes in the running game as well.
The Gators win tough home matchups against Tennessee and Ole Miss as well as on the road against Missouri to set up a matchup against Georgia that could decide the SEC East.
Florida re-establishes itself as one of the top programs in the SEC, and the McElwain era starts off with a bang.
Best-Case Record: 10-2
Worst Case
McElwain's first season in Gainesville features more of the same from the past few years.
Neither quarterback is able to take control of the starting job in fall camp, and the position battle spills over into the first few games of the season.
"I don't know how it is going to happen. I don't know how it is going to go down," Hargreaves said at SEC media days, per the Orlando Sentinel's Edgar Thompson. "I don't know if athleticism is going to happen or is Will being more of a quarterback gonna prevail? We'll find out."
The continued lack of an effective quarterback causes the Gators offense to remain as one-dimensional as it has been in the past.
A depleted passing attack allows SEC defenses to load the box against Taylor, Adam Lane and Jordan Scarlett in the running game. The constant pressure from seven or eight defenders overwhelms the inexperienced offensive line.
The deficiencies up front keep McElwain from fully implementing his offense in his first year, and the Gators remain one of the worst offensive teams in the SEC.
The defense talent is still strong but does experience a drop-off with new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins running the show instead of Muschamp.
Florida can't find an answer to replace Dante Fowler Jr.'s pass-rushing abilities, and as a result the defensive front can't put much pressure on quarterbacks, leaving the veteran secondary stuck to cover receivers too long in passing situations.
After ranking fifth in the conference in total defense last season, the Gators drop a couple of spots to the middle of the pack.
The Gators get SEC wins against Vanderbilt and Kentucky but end up needing a victory over South Carolina or Florida State for a sixth win to reach a bowl game.
Meanwhile, questions arise over whether McElwain was the right hire.
Worst-Case Record: 5-7
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