2013 Florida Gators Football Preview

By Scott Sergent

The Good: Florida had a tremendous season last year to build off of. 11 wins and came within a game ofplaying for the SEC Championship and a Sugar Bowl appearance were unexpected in Gainesville. Will Muschamp’s team improved in many facets from 2011, especially in the turnover margin, which saw them go from a terrible minus twelve to third in the SEC and seventh in the nation at plus 15.

The Bad: How did this team win eleven games? In the SEC, they were offensive, and I do not mean that in a good way. They ranked last in passing, tenth in scoring and twelfth in total offense. The ground game was solid (3rd) and the defense ranked second in three of four categories, so they bailed out the offense. Jeff Driskel better improve, and in a hurry.

The Ugly: The 2013 Sugar Bowl. Friends, it doesn’t get any uglier than that. After an incredible 11-1 record they completely wet the bed in New Orleans as Louisville embarrassed them as well as the entire SEC. It was evident that they did not want to be there, so that leaves a lot of fans shaking their head about the leadership from both the team and the coaching staff.

Starters Returning: 5- Offense / 3 - Defense.

Schedule: The schedule is not kind to the Gators this year. Trips to Miami, LSU and South Carolina will be difficult and the season finale at home against Florida State is always tough. However, it’s not all bad as Florida is fortunate they are in the same division as Missouri, Kentucky and rebuilding Tennessee. Throw in a visit from Arkansas on October 5th, and that should be a guaranteed four SEC wins.

April 6, 2013; Gainesville FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp talks with quarterback Jeff Driskel (6) during the spring practice at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Photo courtesy by Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports.

Outlook: Florida will once again have a tough running game and until the passing attack gets on track, they will be able to lean on Matt Jones to keep them in games. The defense returns just three starters, but the rest of the squad is talented and there should not be too much of a drop of from last year’s impressive performance. The Gators will be good, but question marks about Driskel and a schedule that has them in some very loud environments will be too much for them to end up in a BCS Bowl for a second straight year.

Prediction: 3rd SEC East.

Here's our Top 3 Returning SEC QB/WR Duos.

Read more at 2013 SEC Football Preview and Predictions.

Individual 2013 SEC Football Team Previews and Predictions (Listed in Order of Predicted Finish):

Read Scott Sergent's outstanding new book:

More Florida Gators Football Pages:

2012 Florida Gators 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

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