Florida Football Schedule: The Gators' Path to Climbing the BCS Rankings

The Florida Gators are coming off a tough two-game stretch against top-ranked teams: Alabama and LSU.

Their starting quarterback is out with an injury. Their backup quarterback is struggling through an injury as well. And the Gators team is beginning to show their youth and inexperience.

So they have a tough test in front of them.

With games against South Carolina, Florida State, Auburn and Georgia, it will take a near perfect effort from the entire team in order for the Gators to climb up the BCS rankings.

Here is a detailed look at the rest of their schedule and the Gators' path to climbing the BCS rankings.

Oct. 15: Florida at Auburn

Game Analysis 

 This is perhaps the most important matchup for the Gators so far this season. Even with the two blowout losses to Alabama and LSU, the Gators still control their own destiny. So if they win out they can still win the SEC East.

The game against Auburn is a very winnable matchup for the Gators. The Tigers' defense has been less than stellar this season, and they also have to rely on two inexperienced quarterbacks to run their offense in Barrett Trotter and Khiel Frazier.

The problem lies in the environment for the Gators. Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the toughest stadiums to play in the SEC for an away team. And the Tigers have had the Gators' number the past two times these teams have met.

They are the one team that former Florida head coach Urban Meyer could never beat, losing to them both times.

I believe the Gators are the better team in this game, but anything can happen at Jordan-Hare. They will have to take the crowd out of the game early if the Gators expect to come out with a victory.

Games in Week 7 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up

No. 6 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Texas

No. 1 LSU at Tennessee

No. 18 Arizona State at No. 9 Oregon

Oct. 29: Florida vs. Georgia

Game Analysis

The matchup between the Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs will have some greater implications this season as both teams will be near the top of the SEC East standings. The loser of this game can pretty much count themselves out of the SEC East title race.

After their two-game debacle, the Georgia Bulldogs have put together an impressive string of performances, highlighted by a victory in Neyland Stadium at Tennessee. Freshman running back Isaiah Crowell has emerged as the Bulldogs' top playmaker by shouldering much of their running attack.

The Georgia game will be huge for the Gators because it could be John Brantley's first game back since injuring his ankle against Alabama. If he is able to return, the Gators' offense would receive a much-needed boost.

Brantley is the one quarterback on the Gators' roster who can get the Gators to the SEC Championship game and an appearance in the Georgia game would be a huge step for the Gators.

Games in Week 9 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up 

No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 17 Kansas State

No. 20 Baylor at No. 6 Oklahoma State

No. 8 Clemson at No. 12 Georgia Tech

No. 23 Michigan State at No. 14 Nebraska

Nov. 5: Florida vs. Vanderbilt

Game Analysis

Vanderbilt has gotten off to a hot start this season, going 3-2 in their first five games. But the Commodores will have a tough task of trying to beat the Florida Gators on the road in The Swamp.

The Gators will have superior talent at virtually every position, and the Gators should dominate this matchup from the beginning. This is one of those games that could establish some confidence throughout the Gators' players before having to face off against South Carolina the week after.

This should be a blowout win for the Gators.

Games in Week 10 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up

No. 1 LSU at No. 2 Alabama

No. 21 Texas A&M at No. 3 Oklahoma

No. 15 South Carolina at No. 10 Arkansas

Nov. 12: Florida at South Carolina

Game Analysis

If the Gators are able to win the rest of their games up to this point, their matchup with South Carolina in Columbia will most likely decide who will represent the SEC East.

This could be a very tough game for the Gators' defense. South Carolina boasts some of the best offensive talent in the SEC, if not the nation. Running back Marcus Lattimore absolutely ran over the Gators last season as a freshman, and one has to expect he would be capable of producing the same kind of numbers against Florida again. 

Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery will be a tough assignment for the young Gators' secondary, too. His physical style of play will force the Gators' cornerbacks into some tough positions, so they will have to avoid the pass interference calls that have plagued them so far.

If Florida wants to get revenge on South Carolina they will have to focus on stopping the run and force South Carolina to become more one dimensional on offense. But with how the defense has looked against other big, physical running backs so far in 2011, the Gators have a long way to go in order to prepare for Lattimore.

Games in Week 11 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up

No. 19 Virginia Tech at No. 12 Georgia Tech

No. 9 Oregon at No. 7 Stanford

No. 11 Michigan at No. 16 Illinois 

Nov. 19: Florida vs. Furman

Game Analysis

In a tune-up game before Florida State, the Gators will get to play Furman University. This shouldn't even be a close game, but it will be very important for the Florida football team.

Depending on how the rest of the games before this point have turned out, this matchup could be crucial for establishing confidence in the Gators' players before playing Florida State or just an opportunity to work on some things they have noticed in their last four wins.

Regardless, this will be the final game to see which players the Gators can rely on to bring them a victory against Florida State. This game will be a Florida blowout.

Games in Week 12 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up

No. 3 Oklahoma at No. 20 Baylor

No. 4 Wisconsin at No. 16 Illinois

No. 14 Nebraska at No. 11 Michigan

USC at No. 9 Oregon

Nov. 26: Florida vs. FSU

Game Analysis

A preseason top five ranked team, Florida State was supposed to be a team on the rise and on their way to being the top football team from the state of Florida this season. But after three straight losses, including one to Wake Forest, the Seminoles' expectations for the season have been drastically lowered.

However, there is no denying the great amounts of talent the FSU roster possesses, and the showdown between Florida and Florida State will still be a tough game for the Gators. 

A key for Florida will be forcing E.J. Manuel to throw interceptions. That has been one of the Seminoles' biggest issues during this three-game losing streak. If the Gators can force some turnovers, that would go a long way in helping the Gators secure a victory.

And if the coaching staff can trust in whichever quarterback will be starting for Florida and let him stretch the defense with some downfield passing, that could establish some confidence in both the quarterback and wide receivers.

The Gators have to utilize their wide receivers more than have been recently. They have some excellent speed at wide receiver and a consistent passing attack could open up some holes for both Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

Games in Week 13 to Keep an Eye on for the Gators to Move Up

No. 10 Arkansas at No. 1 LSU

No. 2 Alabama at No. 24 Auburn

No. 8 Clemson at No. 15 South Carolina

Georgia at No. 12 Georgia Tech

No. 22 Texas at No. 21 Texas A&M