Fansided

College football 2019: Biggest trap game facing every Top 25 team

By Cody Williams

CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - NOVEMBER 24: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers gets away from R.J. Roderick #10 of the South Carolina Gamecocks during their game at Clemson Memorial Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 10: Florida Gators defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga (92) lines up for a play during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL – NOVEMBER 10: Florida Gators defensive lineman Jabari Zuniga (92) lines up for a play during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl. (Photo by David Rosenblum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

10. Florida Gators

Biggest Trap Game: at South Carolina (Oct. 19)

Dan Mullen did not have a high bar to clear as he took over the Florida Gators given the disarray that the program was left in by Jim McElwain. However, he cleared that bar by a mile as he came in and notched a 10-win season in 2018, much to the delight of the Gainesville faithful. After that effort, though, the Gators now have big-time expectations to not just replicate that success but also take a step forward.

Perhaps the biggest revelation under Mullen was the player development throughout the roster and that was never more apparent than with quarterback Feleipe Franks. While Franks is not a world-beater still, he became a solid and serviceable player. With the weapons around him like running back Lamical Perine and wide receiver Van Jefferson, this group should be impressive in 2019.

Despite high-profile losses like Jachai Polite and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson on defense, Florida actually returns seven starters from this unit last season. They have a dynamic secondary and two studs in the front seven with Jabari Zuniga and David Reese II. With Mullen and Todd Grantham’s coaching on that side of the ball, they should again be a force when they aren’t in possession.

Like with Texas A&M before them, Florida’s trap game to watch out for is also against a feisty South Carolina team, though the Gators go on the road. Not only will Will Muschamp be out for revenge against his former employer, but the trip to play the Gamecocks is sandwiched between a road game at LSU and the rivalry matchup against Georgia. That’s a tough spot for this matchup and one that the Gators must watch out for.