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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) looks to pass during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Florida 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Luke Del Rio (14) looks to pass during the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Arkansas defeated Florida 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
17

Florida Gators

2016: 9-4, SEC- East Division

The Florida Gators won nine games last season, once again representing the East Division in the SEC Championship Game. As they head into 2017, there are a ton of question marks surrounding the roster, with the biggest one being who is going to play quarterback. Luke Del Rio was very inconsistent last season, and will not take part in the spring as he recovers from shoulder surgery. That could open the door for redshirt Freshman Feleipe Frank, who was a four-star prospect coming out of high school.

Whoever is under center will likely be running for their lives, as the Florida offensive line is going to be weak again. Wide receiver Antonio Callaway does return in 2017, and he was the team’s leading receiver in 2016. The Gators also return their leading rusher from a year ago, as Jordan Scarlett and his nearly 900 yards will be back for a shot at the school’s fourth SEC East Division title in a row.

While the offense should be decent, it will be the defense that makes or breaks the Gators season. The team is losing a ton of talent on that side of the ball, including four players that could wind up going in the first round of next month’s NFL Draft. Cornerback Quincy Wilson and Teez Tabor, along with linebacker Jarrod Davis and defensive tackle Caleb Brantley are all gone, which means players like Nick Walsh and Duke Dawson will need to step up for the Gators in 2017.

The Gators will open up their season with a huge matchup against the Michigan Wolverines, as the two teams do battle at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That is going to be a huge test for the Gators, who actually have the luxury of playing most of their tough games at home this season. This team could go one of two way, as a fourth division title is possible, but so is a season below .500 if they cannot get good play from Del Rio, or whoever is under center when the season kicks off in September.

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