360 Sports continues its countdown of the top 10 teams in college football today with #6 Florida. Who will be #5 tomorrow? Here's a clue: Their stadium, Sanford Stadium is known for the hedges that border the playing field.
#6 Florida
Coach: Dan Mullen (10-3, 2nd season)
2018: Finished on a four-game win streak and picked up regular season wins over Mississippi State, LSU and Florida State. A 41-15 victory over Michigan in the Peach Bowl ended their season on a high note.
Key losses: DB Chauncey Gardner-Johnson (Peach bowl Defensive MVP, 4 Interceptions in 2018), RB Jordan Scarlett (776 yards, 5 TDs in 2018)
The good news: They return the key pieces of the offense in QB Felipe Franks, RB Lamical Perine and three of the starting Wide Receivers. On defense, 3 of the 4 2018 starters on the defensive line are back, along with an ever-talented secondary.
3 Ws
Who will be the key leaders?
WRs Van Jefferson, Tyrie Cleveland, Josh Hammond
Although they aren’t one single leader, these guys operate as a unit all season. The team leaders in receiving last season, each of them had over 25 receptions and an average of 13 yards per catch. Cleveland is also expected to start at kick returner, so be ready for some special teams touchdowns; he runs a 4.36 40 yard dash! All seniors, they are focused on bringing an SEC Championship back to Gainsville in 2019.
What will be their projected record?
10-2 overall, 5-2 SEC
What will be their toughest game?
Like Texas A&M, the Gators play quality opponents at every point in the season. But perhaps their biggest, and most important, game will be in a rivalry against Georgia. Known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party”, this matchup brings out the best in both teams at the midway point of the season. Last year, Georgia defeated the Gators 36-17. But Florida will be ready for battle this season, especially since a spot in the SEC Championship will probably be on the line. According to multiple predictions, Georgia and Florida are supposed to finish 1-2 in the SEC East. If Florida can defeat the Bulldogs on November 2nd, that might give them their first spot in the SEC Title game since the Urban Meyer era.
My take
If you got a chance to see the opening game against Miami on August 24, you probably noticed a few things about the strengths of Florida’s team. As the took the 24-20 victory in a battle with their in-state rivals, I really was surprised with their explosive pass rush. The defensive ends were relentless in their pursuit of freshman QB Jarren Williams, sacking him 10 times throughout the course of the game. A strong defensive line will be important during SEC play as the Gators go up against offensive powerhouses in Georgia, LSU and Florida State.
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