The 2018 season is just days away….
Yes, days away.
This offseason had it’s ups-and-downs like most offseason’s do, but this one was strange. We had the quarterback battle, the fight with airsoft rifles and a frying pan, we had the Justin Watkins situation, and angry fans. Guess what? THE SEASON IS FINALLY HERE!
Let’s take a look at Florida’s opponents and make some predictions.
Week 1: Charleston Southern- This shouldn’t be a long discussion. Blowout. 2nd and 3rd teamers should be on the field be the middle of the 3rd quarter. Florida 48 CSU 7
Week 2: Kentucky- Ok folks…. Last year was Kentucky’s best chance to beat the Gators for the first time in 3 decades and they didn’t. I do not see it happening this year either. This game is in The Swamp at night and the crowd will be fired up as the color orange floods Ben Hill Griffin under the lights. Kentucky’s offense will be overmatched by Florida’s talent on defense. Defense will win this game for the Gators. Could see it being a close game at halftime but I think Florida pulls away in the 4th quarter. Florida 28 Kentucky 13
Week 3: Colorado State- Oh the irony! This game is a result of former head coach Jim McElwain’s buyout negotiation. Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo has been hospitalized for medical issues and his status is unclear on this season. With or without Bobo, the Rams are a decent team this year and could put up a fight against the Gators but the talent difference wins out and the Gators get the W here, easily. Florida 35 Colorado State 17
Week 4: Tennessee- Normally this game would be circled on both teams schedule. This year…. not so much. Tennessee lost a ton of talent after last season and brings in a new head coach in Jeremy Pruitt. I believe Tennessee takes a big step back this year and struggles to make a bowl game. Florida just needs to not get caught looking ahead to the next week. Florida 31 Tennessee 17
Week 5: Mississippi State- This is the game that Bulldogs players and fans have had circled on their calendars all offseason. Dan Mullen returns to StarkeVegas against all of his former players and a fanbase that feels slighted. Mississippi State has been picked by many pundits as the surprise team to possibly win the SEC Championship this year and they have the talent to possibly do it. This game will go down to the wire but too much cowbell for the Gators. I do believe Florida loses this one. Mississippi State 28 Florida 21
Week 6: LSU- The Tigers come into Gainesville while the University of Florida honors it’s 2008 National Championship team and Tim Tebow goes up on the Wall of Fame in Ben Hill Griffin. The crowd will be fired up and these players at Florida will want revenge for last years close loss. LSU will not be a very good team this year. Gators win this one, comfortably. Florida 28 LSU 14
Week 7: Vanderbilt- This game could be tricky. Vanderbilt always seems to give the Gators a hard time no matter where either team is ranked. I see this game going one of two ways…. Either Florida wins this one by 3 touchdowns or squeaks one out with a field goal within the final 2 minutes of the game. I think Florida wins by 3 touchdowns (but I’m not confident in this selection). Florida 42 Vanderbilt 21
Week 8: Georgia- This. Is. The. Game. Coming off of a BYE both teams will be fired up and ready for blood. Count this one as a “bodybag game”. This game most likely determines the SEC East winner (as it has in the past and should continue to be). The fans and players despise each other. This game will be CLOSE. REAL CLOSE. But sadly…. Georgia is too good right now and Florida is a year away. Georgia 28 Florida 27
Week 9: Missouri- Homecoming weekend. Missouri comes into Gainesville with a potent offense and possibly the best quarterback in the conference. This game concerns me, but home crowd advantage wins out and The Swamp gets too loud. Gators win in a shootout. Yes, that’s right… I said shootout. Points will be scored in this one. Florida 42 Missouri 35
Week 10: South Carolina- This is where I think Florida could trip up. This game will determine how good of a season Florida will have this year. It’s a home game and there is a chance both of these teams come into this game still with hopes of playing in Atlanta. I don’t like what I’m about to do here. Gators lose a close one on a late field goal. South Carolina 27 Florida 24
Week 11: Idaho- Senior Day. Idaho isn’t good enough to compete. This game should be over by halftime. Florida 37 Idaho 10
Week 12: Florida State- This is a game that Florida HAS TO WIN. Recruiting, bragging rights, momentum going into the offseason all hangs in the balance with this game. Florida hasn’t beaten the Noles since 2012. Think about that for one second…. The. Last. Time. Florida. Beat. Florida. State. Was. In. 2012. That is 6 years ago. The time is NOW. Gators go into Doak Campbell and come out victorious and break the spear on Ron Zook Field. Florida 34 Florida State 27
I have the Gators going 9-3 and playing in the Outback Bowl. But a few bounces here and there could propel Florida to 10 or 11 wins. This schedule isn’t just manageable, it’s winnable.
