gatorwadeh10

[gatorwadeh10]

Florida Gators 2020

It comes as no surprise that in most predictions around the college football community have UF as the favorites to go to the SEC Championship this December. With Georgia looking for a new QB to replace Jake Fromm and no real threat besides a typical Kentucky or Tennessee, the Florida Gators seem to have the opportunity of a lifetime. With Kyle Trask and Emory Jones keeping Defenses on their toes, an almost full returning O-Line, and most importantly the weapons to throw to including the best TE in the country Kyle Pitts, the human joystick Kadarious Toney, and the always reliable Grimes next to the up and coming Copeland the offense will be thriving. The worry I see is actually on the defensive side of the ball. The loss of Jabari Zuniga and Jonathan Grenard will slow up the pass rush that really set us apart from LSU and Georgia last season. I am not as worried about the Linebackers and DB’s as Houston pairing with Miller (I’m assuming) and Elam/Wilson will be running the show. Campbell will need to step up into those shoes for his senior year at the nose. His junior stats include 39 total tackles with 4 for a loss and 1 sack. He also was apart of the reason we beat Miami with a forced fumble and the recovery. Next to him we will see most likely Slaton who tallied a decent 29 tackles with 3.5 for a loss and 2 sacks. On the outside, we will see the transfer Brandon Cox from Georgia who missed last season after transferring midway through the year. But he did manage 20 tackles 2 for a loss and 1 sack in only his freshman campaign. I cannot wait to see this young man in action as his Junior year approaches. The man that I predict to be the best on this D-Line is Zach Carter. Although I think he may switch a lot from DT to DE, he still managed 28 tackles with 4.5 for loss and 4.5 sacks. This versatility is what we need on the line. This allows for more stunts on the line and hidden blitz packages.

Do not be surprised when UF waltz through the competition this year with their loaded offense and versatile defense. I can see them easily going undefeated this season with the most obvious struggles against LSU in Week 6 and Georgia in Week 9 after the bye. LSU I think will be a 9-3 team this year. You cannot replace Joe Burrow that fast just like you cannot with Fromm. Also, 14 of their top players were drafted leaving a lot of question marks for them. Yes they still have Chase who will be good if they can get the ball to him and Stingley who is probably the best young CB in college football and a definite top 5 overall but that is 2 and you are still missing 14 essential spots. I think they lose to us, Bama, and either Auburn or an upset from Ole Miss. I think Georgia loses 2 this year. Lost Fromm, both running backs, and Andrew Thompson but still kept an overall decent team. They lose to Alabama Week 3 and then lose to UF Week 9.

I could see UF struggling Week 2 against Kentucky unless things start to get back to normal soon. The lack of practices and camps and the spring game might shake them up with less than 3 months to go until the opener against Eastern WA. Kentucky put us in our place and made us respect them in that game. Franks going down and Trask coming in did turn the tide however. No offense to Franks and I wish him all the best at Arkansas, but he was not the right fit for this team. Trask is the calm and collected under pressure and while I admit he could just have Emory run the ball as he is no Tebow, he does go through progressions beautifully and puts the ball where his receiver has the best chance to get it. I trust he will only get better with the last season upon us. Throwing for the second most yards in the SEC behind Burrow was no small feat also. Having almost 3,000 with a couple games he did not play fully is a great stat line by itself. Throwing 310 yards and 3 TD’s against LSU is even better. I am happy where Mullen has brought us back to and they will be in many peoples prediction for the playoffs.