2020 Team Preview: Can Florida Finally Overtake Georgia?

It has been a constant source of frustration for the Florida Gators. They have not been able to overcome the Georgia Bulldogs for first place in the SEC East in recent years. Florida has not won an SEC East title since 2016. Georgia has won the East the last three seasons. The pattern is the same: Florida brings a solid defense into its annual game against Georgia, but gets torn apart on offense and fails to score enough points to top the Bulldogs. Florida will have to do something to change the balance of power against Georgia this year. It is the challenge the Gators must figure out if they want to finally win another division title and compete for the SEC championship once again. Florida hasn’t won the SEC title since 2008.

Offseason Changes

The Gators lost cornerback C.J. Henderson to the NFL as the No. 9 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Gators also lost receiver Van Jefferson, defensive end Jabari Zuniga, linebacker Jon Greenard, running back La’Mical Perine, receiver Freddie Swain, and receiver Tyrie Cleveland. Henderson, Zuniga and Greenard were especially important to the 2019 roster. Finding good replacements for them will be of paramount significance for coach Dan Mullen’s team.

The Gators Will Succeed If…

Their defensive line can dominate. It would be great in an ideal world for Florida to finally come up with a great offense which can score 30 points and outflank Georgia’s defense, but that is not a particularly realistic scenario for the Gators. If they are going to beat Georgia, the more likely path to success is to shut down Georgia’s offense and win a 17-13 style of game. This means Florida’s defense has to be excellent, and that starts with a defensive line which needs to bother and pummel Georgia’s new starting quarterback. The Dawgs watched Jake Fromm go to the NFL, so J.T. Daniels or D’Wan Mathis will replace him this season. If Florida can cause Daniels or Mathis to have a horrible, miserable game, the Gators could hold down Georgia’s offense and win an ugly slugfest. That is how they are likely to win the SEC East, if they can actually achieve it.

The Gators Will Fail If…

Kyle Trask fails to make moderate improvements at quarterback. Kyle Trask doesn’t need to be an elite quarterback, but after a solid season in 2019, he needs to become noticeably better – not a massive transformation, but completing five or six more passes per game and converting a handful of additional third down situations to keep Florida’s drives alive. Trask has to be able to produce in key moments for Florida. He doesn’t have to rewrite the record book. If he can come through in the clutch, Florida could vault past Georgia and end its bitter losing streak to the Dawgs.

Prediction

The Gators will have a chance since Georgia’s SEC schedule is difficult, but Florida must beat Georgia to have a good chance of winning the SEC East. The Gators’ offense won’t be markedly better this year than it was in the past. Their hope is that Georgia’s quarterbacks will tumble. It’s something which could happen, but it’s a lot to expect. Florida doesn’t really control its fate. This is more about how well Georgia will handle its situation. If Florida can’t really be trusted, the edge – if only by default – should stay with Georgia in this two-team battle.

Prediction: 2nd in SEC East