The Florida Gators are not used to winning 4 games in a season, but that is exactly what happened last year when they went 4-8. This year they have 14 starters back and one of the best defenses in the league, so they should return to their winning ways this year. Preview & Schedule are below. Preview & schedule are below.
The Gator offense really struggled last year as they scored just 18.8 ppg, which is just horrible for a team that had scored 25.5 ppg or more in each of their previous 6 years. This year 7 starters are back including QB Jeff Driskel, who was lost for the season in game 3 last year, but was the teams starter back in 2012, when he threw for 1686 yards, 12 TDs and just 5 INTs. The Gators did sign 2 top 10 QBs in the offseason should Driskel falter this year. The running game has a nice tandem of Mack Brown and Kevin Taylor, who combined for 1051 yards and 8 TDs last year, but they will be setting up behind one of the weaker OLs in the league. The WR corps is average at best, does return Quinton Dunbar, who had 548 yards receiving last year. The defense last year brought back just 4 starters and they still allowed only 21.1 ppg. This year they have 7 starters back and look to have one of the best defenses in the league. The DL is a beast and rated as the 10th best in the nation. The line is led by Dante Fowler, who had 3.5 sacks and 7 TFL last year, plus they have added plenty of depth with the signing of the #7, 11 and 22 true freshman. The secondary also looks very solid and is led by Vernon Hargrreaves, who had 11 PBUs and 3 INTs last year, plus they add in the #7 prep school DB in Jalen Tabor. The LB is solid with 3 of 4 starters back.
The Gators had a very rough season last year, but they will be stronger on both sides of the ball this year. The offense has some solid skill players and with Jeff Driskel back they should easily top the 18.8 ppg they put up last year, even with the questions on the OL. The defense is very good up front and the secondary and should allow under 20 ppg this year. The Schedule is not all that kind as they have road games vs Alabama, Tennessee and Florida State, plus a neutral site game vs Georgia, while at home they have games vs LSU, Missouri and South Carolina. The Gators should be able to navigate that schedule for a bowl game, but they will not challenge South Carolina and Georgia for the top spot in the SEC East. KEY TREND: 10-2 ATS when playing with rest vs an opponent off a SU loss.
2014 Florida Football Schedule
Aug. 30 Idaho
Sep. 6 Eastern Michigan
Sep. 13 Kentucky
Sep. 20 at Alabama
Sep. 25 OPEN DATE
Oct. 4 at Tennessee
Oct. 11 LSU
Oct. 18 Missouri
Oct. 25 OPEN DATE
Nov. 1 Georgia (in Jax)
Nov. 8 at Vanderbilt
Nov. 15 South Carolina
Nov. 22 Eastern Kentucky
Nov. 29 at Florida State
Info gathered From Phil Steele's CFB Preview and Athlon Sports
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