Florida Gators Preview
By: Kenneth Harrison Jr.
TheSouthernSportsEdition.com news services
We are entering Jim McElwain’s third year as the head coach in Gainesville. The Gators won the SEC East the last two years.
On the surface that sounds great until we consider that the SEC East is by far the weaker division in the conference. Then we have to consider they finished the 2015 and 2016 seasons negatively. They got blown out in the season finales against in-state rival Florida State. They were also manhandled in the SEC Championships by Alabama.
Will this Gator team be good enough to compete against elite teams? There is a lot of turnover on this team. Surprisingly, defense has been the strongest unit over the last few years. The defense only returns 3 starters from 2016. That unit was ranked 6th nationally in total defense.
Florida is known for producing good corners but defensive end might be the best position group. Red shirt sophomore Jabari Zuniga led the team in sacks (5) but did not register a sack over the last two months (8 games) of the season.
Senior Jordan Sherit is returning from a knee injury. Freshman Zachary Carter is expected to contribute immediately. He has a rare mix of size (6-4, 263), speed and power. They also have former five-star recruit, junior CeCe Jefferson. Jefferson needs to have a breakout season.
We’re used to seeing high scoring offenses in Gainesville but they’ve been struggling ever since Urban Meyer left. Quarterback Malik Zaire transferred from Notre Dame.
Quarterback has been the biggest weakness on offense over the last two years so this is a big upgrade. There are some good skill position players like wide receivers Antonio Callaway and Tyrie Cleveland.
Sophomore running back Jordan Scarlett is also poised for a breakout 2017 season. He led the team with 889 rushing yards on 179 carries and 6 touchdowns. That was the most rushing yards by a Florida freshman or sophomore since 1995.
The season opens Sept. 2nd against Michigan at AT&T Stadium. This will be a tough game but I think the Gators will have too much talent and speed for the Wolverines.
The next week is at The Swamp versus overmatched Northern Colorado. Easy win.
Sept. 16th is home against rival Tennessee. The Vols will be breaking in a new quarterback in a hostile environment. That can’t be good; Florida avenges last season’s loss.
At this point of the season you have to be ecstatic you’re in the SEC East. Florida travels to Lexington. They’ll beat up on Kentucky.
The Gators will end September in The Swamp against one of their favorite punching bags, Vanderbilt. The Commodores won’t disappoint and this is another blowout win.
Surprisingly the homecoming opponent is LSU. The Tigers typically struggle on offense and rely heavily on the power running game. Leonard Fournette is gone but Derrius Guice is also a great back. The Tigers will win.
Texas A&M travels to Gainesville Oct. 14. The Aggies are notorious for starting the season off great then fading down the stretch. I think coach Kevin Sumlin is coaching for his job which makes them dangerous. I’ll give the win to A&M.
After a bye week the Gators head to Jacksonville for the one-sided rivalry game with Georgia. I’ll never pick UGA to win this game considering they consistently lose it.
The next three games are at Mizzou, at South Carolina and UAB. All of these are double digit victories.
The season ends with a home game against FSU. I think the Seminoles are still the better team. Worst case scenario Florida should win nine games this season.
