Over the course of the next several weeks, the SoBros Network crew will be going team-by-team through the SEC, previewing the upcoming American tackle football season. Up next, the 2019 Florida preview!
2019 FLORIDA PREVIEW
The Dan Mullen effect is real, huh? We knew he was good, but who would have thought that he’d take embattled Feleipe Franks and win 10 games in 2018? The Gators capped off a breakout year by SMASHING the Michigan Wolverines, 41-15, in the Peach Bowl. But, because of that, Mullen and the Gators now enter 2019 with championship expectations.
Franks returns as the starter at quarterback, which should bode well for continuity’s sake. But, the Gators are absolutely loaded on offense – Lamical Perine is back at running back, with stud receiver Van Jefferson returning as well. The biggest concern on offense is undoubtedly replacing four seasoned and experienced starters along the offensive line. If the revamped unit holds up in 2019, this should be an offensive juggernaut in the SEC East.
The Gators have always seemed to be one of those teams that just breeds defensive talent, but finding a way to lessen the blow of losing Jachai Polite to the NFL is of paramount importance. Otherwise, the Gators are returning eight starters on defense, including a solid defensive line and a secondary with a lot of potential.
If any team has a chance to unseat the Georgia Bulldogs from playing in Atlanta in December, it’s the Gators.
2019 GATORS SCHEDULE
8/24 vs. Miami (in Orlando) – The Gators should win this, as they have the edge on the Hurricanes in terms of flat out talent. But, a loss here would essentially dictate how the season goes for Florida. This is a big game.
9/7 vs. UT-Martin – A glorified scrimmage in between big games. Nothing more.
9/14 @ Kentucky – I just don’t know how Kentucky recovers from losing all of that talent to the NFL. Benny Snell and Josh Allen were both revelations a season ago. Kentucky’s 10-win season felt like the perfect storm of circumstances. I don’t think they can replicate that in 2019, and even though this one’s in Lexington, I think it’s a win for the Gators.
9/21 vs. Tennessee – Lot of reasons to think the Vols will be much improved in 2019, but I just don’t think they’re ready to compete with the upper echelon of SEC teams.
9/28 vs. Towson – Good for Towson, getting that pay day…
10/5 vs. Auburn – The Tigers are all about potential in 2019. If all of that potential comes together, they could be a force in the SEC. If not, you’re looking at another season of hot seat talk for Gus Malzahn. The Gators benefit from getting them at home. Though this is a lose-able game, I think the Gators win it.
10/12 @ LSU – This is the one game on the schedule I look at and think, “there’s no way.” The Tigers are going to be good this year. Like….CFP contender good.
10/19 @ South Carolina – It’s a potential slip-up game – played in between a road trip to LSU and the Cocktail Party. But, the Gators should outmatch the Cocks. South Carolina gets the benefit of hosting this game, but I don’t think it’s enough to pull off the win.
11/2 vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville) – I expect the Bulldogs come into this game undefeated. The Gators could come in undefeated as well, but I’m think there will at least be one loss (LSU). So, that makes this year’s rivalry game even larger. This game could decide the SEC East this year.
11/9 vs. Vanderbilt – The Commodores are returning quite the collection of skill players this season. You can’t help but wonder what this team could do if Kyle Shumur could’ve stuck around for one more year. Alas, he didn’t. This one should be a win for the Gators.
11/16 @ Missouri – I love the addition of Kelly Bryant at quarterback. If the Gators do find themselves out of the SEC race at this point in the season, maybe there’s an issue with motivation. Even if they are, this Tigers team is going to be competitive. A potential loss for the Gators.
11/30 vs. Florida State – The ‘Noles were an utter disappointment in 2018, finishing with just five wins and missing a bowl game for the first time since 1981. I’m not expecting a leap from that to “competing with the Gators” in 2019, so count this one as a win for Florida.
Prediction
Gators fans have every reason to be excited about the upcoming the season, but this schedule is set up to be tricky. It doesn’t exactly favor the Gators to have two decent in-state rivals in non-conference play. Plus, all of their biggest SEC games take place on the road with the exception of Auburn. They’re at Kentucky, at LSU, at South Carolina, at Missouri, and as usual, at a “neutral site” for the Georgia game.
This could easily be a four-loss team if the Gators don’t take the next step as a program. If they trip up against Miami, the season could spiral into bowl ineligibility. That’s how crazy this schedule is for the Gators.
But, I trust Mullen to get the job done. I don’t think 10 wins is out of the realm of possibility at all. The SEC East is going to come down to this year’s Cocktail Party (and yes….it’s the Cocktail Party. Quit trying to change the name).
OTHER 2019 SEC SEASON PREVIEWS
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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