The Florida Gators have won the SEC East two years in a row, but have fallen short to Alabama each year. This season, Florida is determined not to let that happen again. Can they win the SEC and compete for a College Football Playoff spot? Here's a game-by-game prediction of Florida's schedule this year:
Week 1: vs. Michigan Wolverines (Arlington, TX)
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
The season opener at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Michigan will essentially be breaking in a team full of new starters on the national stage against the two-time reigning SEC East champs. It's a tough way to start the season against the two-time defending SEC East champs.
Week 2: vs. Northern Colorado Bears
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
The who?
Week 3: vs. Tennessee Volunteers
Prediction: WIN (3-0)
Many around the Tennessee program aren't expecting big things from the Vols this year. With Butch Jones on the hot seat, Tennessee could be falling to uncertainty at this point in the year. Plus, the Gators have a major talent advantage.
Week 4: at Kentucky Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (4-0)
Kentucky has improved to the point where they've been competitive over the last few years. That said, Florida's 30-game win streak isn't ending in Lexington.
Week 5: vs. Vanderbilt Commodores
Prediction: WIN (5-0)
Vanderbilt is still one of the worst teams in the SEC and are no match for the Tide, even in Nashville. Florida's defense may score more than Vandy's offense in this one.
Week 6: vs. LSU Tigers
Prediction: WIN (6-0)
Could LSU win this game? Absolutely. However, playing in The Swamp against will be the biggest test of Danny Etling's improvement - and I haven't seen enough from him to trust him in a tough road game like this.
Week 7: vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Prediction: WIN (7-0)
This is a make-or-break season for Kevin Sumlin in College Station, and without a proven quarterback to run the offense, they will struggle mightily. That will include a sizable defeat in The Swamp.
Week 8: BYE
Week 9: vs. Georgia Bulldogs (Jacksonville, FL)
Prediction: WIN (8-0)
Head coach Jim McElwain owns Georgia and Florida has beat them three times in a row overall. Georgia is a team with a lot of talent, but that talent has a history of not playing their best against quality competition. Last year, they were just 3-3 against teams that finished the season with a winning record.
Week 10: at Missouri Tigers
Prediction: WIN (9-0)
Mizzou is projected to be the worst team in the SEC East again this year. They will be lucky to score more than 14 points against Florida's dominant defense.
Week 11: at South Carolina Gamecocks
Prediction: LOSS (9-1)
A loss to South Carolina would be a surprising upset, but a couple of things are working in the Gamecocks' favor. This will be Florida's only game in a real hostile atmosphere (Kentucky and Mizzou don't have the toughest of environments) and SC has a talented team returning fifth most production of any team in the country. Plus, crazy things happen in college football in November.
Week 12: vs. UAB Blazers
Prediction: WIN (10-1)
This is UAB's first football season since the program was disbanded for two years. They just don't have the talent to keep up with a SEC team.
Week 13: vs. Florida State Seminoles
Prediction: LOSS (10-2)
This game will likely come down to the final possession and could determine with of these two makes the College Football Playoff. Florida is a talented team, but Florida State is more so. The Seminoles win a tight one.
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