The Friday Florida Fix: Predictions for the Gator’s 2013 College Football Season
By John Carey
April 6, 2013; Gainesville FL, USA; A detail view of Florida Gators wide receiver Solomon Patton (83) helmet during the spring practice for the Orange and Blue Deput at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Florida Gators surprised many last season, including some Gator fans, by going 11-2 and making a BCS bowl for the first time since beloved quarterback Tim Tebow’s departure. Many fans are hesitant to say the Gators will make the next step and make either the SEC Championship, and/or the National Championship. Some have even questioned if the Gators will even make it to ten wins, as they have lost several key pieces on defense and offense, and there are many questions surrounding Florida’s passing game, most notably quarterback Jeff Driskell’s progression.
Game 1, 8/31/13: Vs. Toledo
While this Toledo team is much improved from years past, going 9-4 in 2012, it doesn’t really matter, the Gators have too much talent to lose to a team like Toledo, Gators get an easy win for their first game of the season.
Prediction: W, 42-14
Game 2, 9/7/13: At Miami (FL) The Cane’s are going to be a contender in the ACC this year, and if they aren’t stopped by some form of probation, might make it to the ACC Championship. Florida will get it’s first test of the season in this underrated Miami team.
Prediction: W, 20-14
Bye Week, 9/14/13
Game 3, 9/21/13: Vs. Tennessee
There is not much reason to think that the Volunteers can pull off the upset, even with an improvement at the coaching position. Look for Jeff Driskell to have a field day against Tennessee.
Prediction: W, 30-10
Game 4, 9/28/13: At Kentucky Much like Tennessee, the Wildcats do have a new coach and fans will be invigorated since Florida hired their last coach, but the Gators again have too much talent and the team will have enough experience together at this point in the season to let Kentucky pull the upset.
Prediction: W, 49-13
Game 5, 10/5/13: Vs. Arkansas
This is yet another team that has a new coach but still does not have enough talent to legitimately compete with Florida. This string of games will be good for Florida to get the defense figured out and give Jeff Driskell time to get in sync with his receivers.
Prediction: W, 25-10
Game 6, 10/12/13: At LSU
This is going to be a key game for the Gator’s 2013 season. This will be the first opponent to give Florida a real chance at a loss. The LSU defense will be all over the Gators offense and will likely try and make Jeff Driskell beat them with his arm, this is a do or die moment for Driskell with Gators fans. If he performs well, he will be praised, but if not, fans will be clamoring for the likes of Trent Murphy or even Trey Burton to be under center.
Prediction: L, 14-7
Game 7, 10/19/13: At Missouri
After rebounding from a tough loss in Baton Rouge, the Gators go on a much easier road trip than their last outing. Whether Driskell has a good or bad game against LSU, look for him to have a very good showing at Missouri.
Prediction: W, 45-6
Bye Week, 10/26/13
Game 8, 11/2/13: Georgia (In Jacksonville)
Georgia has won the past two games in Jacksonville vs. the Gators, and the Gators do remember last year’s defeat very vividly. Had they won that game they would have made the SEC Championship with a chance at the National Championship. The Gators will come into this game pumped up and hoping to get a chance at the SEC Championship, or at least to take away Georgia’s chances.
Prediction: W, 21-17
Game 9, 11/9/13: Vs. Vanderbilt
While most would expect the Gators to just roll over ole’ Vandy, expect a little bit of a letdown coming off of the emotional Georgia game. However, this is their homecoming game so they may struggle in the first half but they should come out in the second half firing on all cylinders.
Predictions: W, 33-23
Game 10, 11/16/13: At South Carolina
This will be another tough road game for the Gators as they will be facing one of the top contenders for the SEC East division. The Gators defense will have a tough test against South Carolina’s dynamic quarterback Connor Shaw. Jadeveon Clowney will make life very hard for Gator quarterback Jeff Driskell, as he will have little time to make the throws needed.
Prediction: L, 35-17
Game 11, 11/23/13: Vs. Georgia Southern
This game is pretty much a scrimmage to get the Gators ready for the big game against Florida State to close out the season. Florida will likely get the lead up in the first half and then rest the starters in the second half, so get ready to see some of Florida’s younger players on the field for this game.
Prediction: W, 55-13
Game 12, 11/30/13: Vs. Florida State
While people should expect FSU to come out with a vengeance against their rivals coming off of last year’s ugly defeat, expect Florida to still beat them handily, as this Noles team is not ready for primetime.
Prediction: W, 30-13
2013 Season Record: 10-2
Looks like the Gators will have another shot at a BCS bid, but they might be out of luck, it all depends on how other teams play. They will at least be in one of the major bowl games, and could possibly make it to the SEC Championship if Georgia or South Carolina have a down season.
Hope you enjoyed this week’s Friday Florida Fix and hope you tune in next week! Go Gators!