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College Football Rankings: Top 25 after spring practice

By Cody Williams

Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 26, 2016; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) scrambles out of the pocket against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 7, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws a pass during the orange and blue debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 7, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Feleipe Franks (13) throws a pass during the orange and blue debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports /
16

Florida Gators

2016: 9-4, 

There is almost certainly going to be a decline in the defensive play of the Florida Gators in the 2017 season. Reasons about why obviously start with the losses the team incurred in the secondary. Jalen “Teez” Tabor, Quincy Wilson and Marcus Maye are all in the NFL now, and there are no immediate candidates to replace those abilities in the defensive backfield it appeared this spring. Throw in the losses of Caleb Brantley, Jarrad Davis and Alex Anzalone and inexperience will be in play for this unit. However, doubting Florida’s defense at this point seems foolish.

Doubting Florida’s offense, however, would not be foolish. The Gators offense in recent years has been an eyesore and a woefully unproductive one at that. Even with a weapon like Antonio Callaway on the outside and an adequate offensive line, the quarterback play in Gainesville has been so unflattering that it’s hampered the team’s overall effectiveness.

Finally, this spring may have brought them an answer. Freshman signal-caller Feleipe Franks was one of the stars of the spring game for Florida as he looked poised and skilled with nice statistical success and very few mistakes. That’s promising for this team and could mean the world in the 2017 season. If Franks can be that player all season, the offense can be better than its been in a long time. Thus, even if the defense does take a step in the wrong direction, the team could still maintain or even improve this year.

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