Florida football is back on the rise under head coach Dan Mullen, but what’s in store for the encore in 2019 for Feleipe Franks and the Gators?
The Florida Gators were like a whole new team coming into last season. They finally got themselves from under Will Muschamp’s reign, and Dan Mullen was here to save the day. He led them to a 10-3 record, which included huge wins against LSU, Mississippi State and demolishing the best defense in college football in Michigan at the Peach Bowl.
Feleipe Franks was a surprise redshirt sophomore who played extremely well under center. He comes back with a second season of the Dan Mullen offense, something that could really help the rest of this offense click. Franks was always going to be the key to the team, and last year he proved he could be one of the best dual threats in the SEC.
On defense, they lost Jachai Polite to the NFL, but they return C.J. Henderson, who might be the best cornerback in the nation. This team could be good again, but it’s going to be a hard road to win the SEC East, as Georgia still stands in their way. But, what would it look like if everything went right in The Swamp?
Best-case scenario for Florida
- Aug. 24 vs. Miami – W
- Sept. 7 vs. UT Martin – W
- Sept. 14 at Kentucky – W
- Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee – W
- Sept. 28 vs. Towson – W
- Oct. 5 vs. Auburn – W
- Oct. 12 at LSU – L
- Oct. 19 at South Carolina – W
- Open
- Nov. 2 vs. Georgia – W
- Nov. 9 vs. Vanderbilt – W
- Nov. 16 at Missouri – W
- Nov. 30 vs. Florida State – W
Record: 11-1, (7-1 SEC) SEC East champions
Even in the best-case scenario, the Florida Gators are going to lose a game. The SEC is brutal, even if it is the East. The best of the best play here. There’s no way Florida can get out of it winning all the games on their schedule. So, if they were to lose one game, it’s likely going to be either versus Georgia or LSU. In a best-case scenario world, the Gators would rectify the last two seasons, and get back to their winning ways against Georgia, especially since this game is being played on a neutral-ish site in Jacksonville.
Again, this is the best-case scenario. This isn’t a likely scenario or even a scenario we’re predicting. This is the best possible thing.
Now, even with just one loss, the Gators won’t make the College Football Playoff. That’s because the last thing the committee will see is Florida losing for a second time to LSU. Will this most likely be Alabama in the SEC Championship Game? Yes, but this is the best-case scenario, and that includes who wins the SEC in general if it is not Florida. If it’s not Alabama, then everyone wins.
Worst-case scenario for Florida
- Aug. 24 vs. Miami – L
- Sept. 7 vs. UT Martin – W
- Sept. 14 at Kentucky – W
- Sept. 21 vs. Tennessee – L
- Sept. 28 vs. Towson – W
- Oct. 5 vs. Auburn – W
- Oct. 12 at LSU – L
- Oct. 19 at South Carolina – L
- Open
- Nov. 2 vs. Georgia – L
- Nov. 9 vs. Vanderbilt – W
- Nov. 16 at Missouri – W
- Nov. 30 vs. Florida State – L
Record: 6-6, (4-4 SEC)
If we’re going to talk about the worst-case scenario, then this certainly is it. The last time the Gators took on the Miami Hurricanes was back in 2013. They lost that game. Florida has beaten the Miami Hurricanes once since 1986. That’s not a typo. Starting the season losing to a Miami team that was shocked by their coach retiring would be the worst-case scenario in itself.
Then, add in a loss to Florida State who is in all kinds of flux, and it’s the worst-case scenario for sure. Obviously, we’d imagine some major injuries in this scenario and just general craziness. Franks has to go down for at least several weeks, and he needs to be ineffective when he returns. The defense has to fall apart at the seams, and the SEC has to catch up to Mullens’ offense.
Now, it seems like this is going too far in one direction, but this is honestly possible. One false step and it can all fall apart for Florida. They’ve put together a really interesting team, but it’s still flimsy. Last year might have been an overcorrection for 2017. Either way, even in the worst-case scenario, the Gators will be bowl-eligible.