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| Florida QB Jeff Driskel |
Will Muschamp and the Gators turned the corner in 2012, going 11-1 in the regular season before a disappointing loss to Louisville in the Sugar Bowl. The main talking point for Florida going into this season is the expected improvement Jeff Driskel will have this season.
Driskel averaged only 137 yards passing per game in 2012 but was efficient, throwing only five picks. He will be expected to open up the Florida offense that was largely dependent on the running of the now departed Mike Gillislee. Matt Jones replaces Gillislee at running back and senior all-purpose player Trey Burton will also see action out of the backfield.
At receiver the Gators are young and thin so contributors will have to develop as the season goes on to complement the returning Quinton Dunbar.
The Gators return only four players on defense but there is a great pool of talent. Dominique Easley who was a beast at end for the Gators in 2012 moves inside to tackle and will be an All-American candidate. He will be replaced at end by talented newcomers Johnathan Bullard, Dante Fowler and junior Ronald Powell, who is back after an ACL injury.
The Gators are young at linebacker but Antonio Morrison had a great season as a contributor and should lead a good group. Florida’s defensive strength may be at defensive back where the team returns starters in Marcus Roberson, Louchelz Purifoy and Jaylen Watkins.
Florida’s non-conference schedule features scrimmages with Toledo and Georgia Southern but also tough push games with intrastate, non-conference rivals Miami and Florida State. The Gators will also be tested in its annual Cocktail Party game against Georgia and in trips to Death Valley to play LSU and to Columbia to play South Carolina. I have Florida at 8-1-3
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