The optimist’s case for Florida football in 2021

Quarterback Emory Jones fires a pass during a 2021 training camp practice. UAA Communications photo by Hannah White.There are widely differing opinions on how good the Florida Gators will be this year. Looking at the Massey composite rankings and its collection of 32 rating systems, UF has the second-highest standard deviation among top-15 teams. Among the major preview magazines, they range from No. 11 in Athlon to outside the top 25 in Phil Steele. Just this morning, Stewart Mandel released his SEC predictions which have UF tied for third in the East with Missouri at a conference record of 4-4.

I understand why it’s hard to find many people really bullish on the Gators. Emory Jones hasn’t…