The first year under head coach Jim McElwain was a (somewhat) surprising success for the Florida Gators. They won the SEC East, although they struggled in the SEC Championship Game and in the bowl game against Michigan. Although the future looks bright for Florida, they could take a step back in 2016.
While there is still plenty of talent, the Gators have a major question mark at QB and lost some of their top weapons. So can Gators sustain the success they found in 2015? Find out what we think with our game-by-game prediction of Florida Football's record in 2016.
Week 1 - vs. UMass Minutemen
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
UMass won all of three games last year in the MAC. This is an easy opening-season win for the Gators.
Week 2 - vs. Kentucky Wildcats
Prediction: WIN (2-0)
Kentucky is better than they get credit for and Mark Stoops has done an impressive job at UK. They nearly upset the Gators last year, but that was at home. It's a close game, but the Gators come out on top.
Week 3 - vs. North Texas Mean Green
Prediction: WIN (3-0)
Here's another easy out-of-conference win. North Texas was just 1-11 last year and they won't upset the Gators this year.
Week 4 - at Tennessee Volunteers
Prediction: LOSS (3-1)
Here's the road game and the first game with a serious impact on the SEC East title race. The Gators narrow 28-27 win at home last year helped them capture the SEC East. But the Vols are at home in this one and with fewer question marks than Florida. It's another close game, but the final score is in Tennessee's favor this time.
Week 5 - at Vanderbilt Commodores
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
Playing back-to-back road games will make this a bit more challenging, and Vandy nearly upset Florida last year. However, the Gators should still come out on top.
Week 6 - vs. LSU Tigers
Prediction: LOSS (4-2)
Getting LSU at home will help the Gators' chances, but LSU has the better team. It'd be an upset if Florida knocked off LSU, and I don't see that happening.
Week 7 - vs. Missouri Tigers
Prediction: WIN (5-2)
Here's another home game, and the Gators should win this one as well. Missouri has a new coach and Florida is the more talented team.
Week 8 - BYE
Week 9 - vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Prediction: WIN (6-2)
The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is almost always a good game, with Florida's 27-3 win last year an example of an exception. Georgia is in a rather similar position to Florida last year: new coach and a highly touted QB at the helm. But, Florida gets the benefit of playing this game after a bye week. Georgia might end up being favored in this one, but I like the Gators.
Week 10 - at Arkansas Razorbacks
Prediction: WIN (7-2)
This is a tough game to predict. Arkansas lost its top player in their backfield and struggled early last year, but also finished the season strong. I'm not really sure which team will show up this year. The Razorbacks are the home team, but for now, I like Florida in this one.
Week 11 - vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Prediction: WIN (8-2)
USC head coach Will Muschamp will really want to beat his former team, but the Gamecocks are kind of a mess right now. We'll go with the more talented, and better coached, team.
Week 12 - vs. Presbyterian Blue Hose
Prediction: WIN (9-2)
It's not Georgia Southern, so Florida should win this one.
Week 13 - at Florida State Seminoles
Prediction: LOSS (9-3)
FSU is the best team in Florida and they'll push for a College Football Playoff spot. Playing on the road, it's tough to see Florida beating the Noles this year.
Week 14 - SEC Championship Game
Prediction: DNQ
Sorry Gator fans. I think this is (finally) Tennessee's year to make it back to the SEC title game.
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