2012 Florida Gators Football Preview

2011 SEC Record: 3-5 (3rd SEC East) – Overall 7-6

Returning starters: 7 offense, 10 defense, 2 special teams

The Good: With ten starters returning on defense, this is an experienced bunch with playmakers. The secondary features stud cornerback Marcus Roberson, who is back from a neck injury, and Matt Elam, who is as good as it gets at the strong safety position. The defensive line is stout, and if Ronald Powell returns from a torn ACL in the spring game, he will just be one more piece to a very talented line.

The Bad: There is not a clear cut starter at QB as sophomores Jeff Driskel and Jacoby Brissett went into the spring as co favorites. They remained there after the spring and will probably share the position as the season begins. Remember, when you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks.

The Ugly: The Gators finished under .500 in the division in 2011. Good thing for them they were in the SEC Least and could depend on the rest of division to break their free fall through the standings. With an anemic offense, and having lost the psychological advantage of knowing they will win, instead of hoping to win, the Gator Nation has to give Will Muschamp enough time to get the ship going in the right direction.

The Schedule: Bad news for the Gators as they have been assigned LSU as their permanent out of division opponent. Yuck! The schedule is manageable in September, but October brings the Tigers, then South Carolina and Georgia in successive weeks, with all games being played in Florida (two in Gainesville and the annual clash with the Bulldogs in Jacksonville). Once November arrives, we will know just what the Gators stand.

What will happen: The talent is there, but the monster that was once Florida football is nothing more than an afterthought due to questions at QB, an inconsistent running game and a rash of injuries they cannot afford to sustain. Given time, Muschamp might be able to turn the program back into what it once was, but right now, Georgia and South Carolina are way ahead of the Gators. The good news is they won’t fall past the rest of the division, and will build off what they accomplish in 2012.

Bowl Game: Look for the Gators to be in Atlanta when December arrives, but it will be late December, not early December. Eat More Chickin!!!

2012 Prediction: 3rd in the SEC East.

For a preview of all the teams go to 2012 SEC Football Preview.

• 2011 Florida Gators Football Preview
• 2010 Florida Gators Football


• 2009 Florida Gators Football


• 2008 Florida Gators Football


• 2007 Florida Football


• Florida Gators Football History


• Will Muschamp Biography -- Current Florida cocah


• Urban Meyer Biography -- Former Florida cocah


• Tim Tebow Biography


• Jack Youngblood Biography


• Ike Hilliard Biography


• Best All-Time SEC Football Team -- ('96 Gators are a finalist)


• Best SEC Football Stadium -- ("The Swamp" made the list)


• Biggest All-Time SEC Football Victory


• Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games


• All-Time Best SEC Football College -- (Florida is a finalist)


• Top All-Time SEC Offensive Football Team -- (1996 Florida Gators)


• Top All-Time SEC Defensive Football Player -- (Jack Youngblood)


• Best All-Time SEC Football Rivalry Games


• SEC Football Traditions


• SEC School Mascots


• Origins of SEC School Colors


• University of Florida Gainesville Trip


• SEC Football Predictions


• 2011 SEC Football Tickets


• Florida Gators Apparel


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• Florida Gators Tailgate Party Shop


• Florida Gators Fathead


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