Florida Gators College Football: A Look at the 2011 Schedule

The 2011 season will be Will Muschamp's first as Florida's head football coach. And, as always, when you play in the Southeastern Conference, the schedule is a doozy.

In fact, even with a week off during the month, there isn't a team in the country with an October as brutal as UF's.

The first day of October will bring 2009 BCS national champion Alabama to the Swamp. A week later, the Gators will travel to Louisiana State, a squad many analysts have predicted could be preseason No. 1. Florida will visit defending BCS champ Auburn on Oct. 15, and two weeks later is the annual showdown in Jacksonville with always talented Georgia (Muschamp's alma mater).

The Gators' first kickoff isn't until Sept. 3, but it's never too early to look ahead.

Week 1: Florida Atlantic (Sept. 3)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 17: Cameron Newton of the Florida Gators breaks a tackle during a game against the FAU Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2007 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Opponent: Florida Atlantic Owls

2010 Record: 4-8

Head Coach: Howard Schnellenberger

Conference: Sun Belt

Keep An Eye On: RB Alfred Morris (227 carries for 928 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010)

In the NFL: In April of 2010 quarterback Rusty Smith, who holds just about all of the school's passing records, became the first Owl ever selected in the NFL Draft. And as a rookie, the sixth-round pick of the Tennessee Titans (176th overall) became the first FAU alum to play a down in the league when he relieved injured starter Vince Young on Nov. 21, 2010 against the Washington Redskins.

Week 2: Alabama-Birmingham (Sept. 10)

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 02: Roddy White #84 of the Atlanta Falcons runs upfield during the game against the Carolina Panthers at the Georgia Dome on January 2, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)

Opponent: University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) Blazers

2010 Record: 4-8

Head Coach: Neil Callaway

Conference: Conference USA

Keep An Eye On: In his first year with the Blazers after transferring from East Mississippi Junior College, Pat Shed led the Blazers in rushing yardage (847), receiving yardage (471) and kickoff return yardage (738). He averaged 177.1 all-purpose yards per game in 2010, his junior year.

In the NFL: Now an Atlanta Falcon, Alabama-Birmingham alum Roddy White has become one of the NFL's best receivers. The 2005 first-round pick (27th overall) is a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and he led the NFL in receptions (115) and receiving yards (1,389) last season, 

Week 3: Tennessee (Sept. 17)

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COLUMBIA, SC - OCTOBER 30: Tauren Poole #28 of the Tennessee Volunteers against the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Williams-Brice Stadium on October 30, 2010 in Columbia, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Opponent: Tennessee Volunteers

2010 Record: 6-7

Head Coach: Derek Dooley

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: Tailback Tauren Poole led the 2010 Vols in rushing with 24 carries for 1,085 yards (5.1 ypc) and 11 touchdowns. The 5'10", 210-pound Georgia native will be a senior next fall.

In the NFL: By the time he finally puts a wrap on his NFL career, Peyton Manning could find himself in the discussion of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history.

Week 4: @ Kentucky (Sept. 24)

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LEXINGTON, KY - SEPTEMBER 26: Quarterback Tim Tebow #15 of the Florida Gators is sacked by Taylor Wyndham #94 of the Kentucky Wildcats during the third quarter of the game at Commonwealth Stadium on September 26, 2009 in Lexington, Kentucky. (Photo by And

Opponent: Kentucky Wildcats

2010 Record: 6-7

Head Coach: Joker Phillips

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: LB Danny Trevathan (144 tackles, 16 tackles-for-loss, four forced fumbles, three sacks in 2010)

In the NFL: When Pro Bowl tight end Dallas Clark went down with a season-ending injury in Week 7 of the 2010 season, former Wildcat Jacob Tamme stepped up and recorded career highs in receptions (67), receiving yardage (631) and touchdowns (four).

Week 5: Alabama (Oct. 1)

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KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 23: Trent Richardson #3 of the Alabama Crimson Tide runs for a touchdown during the SEC game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Opponent: Alabama Crimson Tide

2010 Record: 10-3

Head Coach: Nick Saban

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: S Mark Barron (77 tackles, three interceptions, two sacks in 2010)

In the NFL: Raised in Chiefland, Fla., just 45 minutes outside of Gainesville, Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson played his college football at Alabama. A starter on year-in, year-out one of the league's best defenses, Johnson recorded 73 tackles, two forced fumbles and 1.5 sacks in the 2010 season.

Week 6: @ LSU (Oct. 8)

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Quarterback Jordan Jefferson #9 of the LSU Tigers call a play against the Texas A&M Aggies during the AT&T Cotton Bowl at Cowboys Stadium on January 7, 2011 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

Opponent: LSU Tigers

2010 Record: 11-2

Head Coach: Les Miles

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: QB Jordan Jefferson (118-of-209 for 1,411 yards with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions; 123 carries for 450 yards and seven touchdowns in 2010)

In the NFL: Arizona Cardinals' offensive guard Alan Faneca, a former Tiger, has played in the league for 14 seasons and very well could be headed to the Hall of Fame.

Week 7: @ Auburn (Oct. 15)

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SCOTTSDALE, AZ - JANUARY 11: Head coach Gene Chizik of the Auburn Tigers poses with the Coaches trophys during a press conference for the Tostitos BCS National Championship Game at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn on January 11, 2011 in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Opponent: Auburn Tigers

2010 Record: 14-0

Head Coach: Gene Chizik

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: RB Michael Dyer (182 carries for 1,093 yards and five touchdowns in 2010)

In the NFL: It is still a week from happening, but the likelihood exists quarterback Cam Newton and defensive tackle Nick Fairley, two vital members of the 2010 BCS national champs, will both be selected in the top 10 picks of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Week 9: Georgia (Oct. 29 in Jacksonville)

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AUBURN, AL - NOVEMBER 13: Quarterback Aaron Murray #11 of the Georgia Bulldogs against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Opponent: Georgia Bulldogs

2010 Record: 6-7

Head Coach: Mark Richt

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: QB Aaron Murray (209-of-342 for 3,049 yards with 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions in 2010)

In the NFL: A 13-year NFL veteran, Denver Broncos' cornerback Champ Bailey, a Georgia alum, has 790 career tackles and 48 career interceptions in what most likely is a Hall of Fame career.

Week 10: Vanderbilt (Nov. 5)

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 31: Sean Richardson #38 of the Vanderbilt Commodores celebrates against the Boston College Eagles during the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl at LP Field on December 31, 2008 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Ima

Opponent: Vanderbilt Commodores

2010 Record: 2-10

Head Coach: James Franklin

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: S Sean Richardson (team-high 98 tackles, seven tackles for loss, five passes defensed in 2010)

In the NFL: Chicago Bears' quarterback Jay Cutler, a Vanderbilt alum, helped his team reach the NFC title game in the 2010-11 season. The Santa Claus, Ind. native completed 261-of-432 passes for 3,274 yards with 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2010.

Week 11: @ South Carolina (Nov. 12)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - NOVEMBER 13: Marcus Lattimore #21 of the South Carolina Gamecocks rushes against Jonathan Bostic #52 of the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 13, 2010 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Opponent: South Carolina Gamecocks

2010 Record: 9-5

Head Coach: Steve Spurrier

Conference: SEC

Keep An Eye On: WR Alshon Jeffery (88 receptions for 1,517 yards and nine touchdowns in 2010)

In the NFL: Former Gamecock John Abraham, a defensive end for the Atlanta Falcons, recorded 40 tackles and 13 sacks in 2010, his 13th year in the league. He has 102.5 career sacks.

Week 12: Furman (Nov. 19)

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GAINESVILLE, FL - APRIL 9: Quarterback Jeff Driskel #16 of the Florida Gators sets to pass during the Orange and Blue spring football game April 9, 2011 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

Opponent: Furman Paladins

2010 Record: 5-6

Head Coach: Bruce Fowler

Conference: Southern

Keep An Eye On: PK Ray Early (41-of-42 PATs, 11-of-12 FGs in 2010)

In the NFL: Currently, there are no former Paladins in the NFL. Former NFL player and coach Sam Wyche is a Furman alum.

Week 13: Florida State (Nov. 26)

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JACKSONVILLE, FL - JANUARY 01: Quarterback E.J. Manuel #3 of the Florida State Seminoles scrambles against the West Virginia Mountaineers during the Konica Minolta Gator Bowl on January 1, 2010 at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida.

Opponent: Florida State Seminoles

2010 Record: 10-4

Head Coach: Jimbo Fisher

Conference: ACC

Keep An Eye On: DE Brandon Jenkins (63 tackles, 21.5 tackles-for-loss, 13.5 sacks, four quarterback hurries, two forced fumbles in 2010)

In the NFL: Baltimore Ravens' receiver Anquan Boldin, a former Seminole quarterback/receiver, finished the 2010 season with 64 receptions for 837 yards and seven touchdowns. In his nine-year NFL career, Boldin has 650 catches for 8,357 yards and 51 touchdowns.