Florida Gators Preview and Predictions: 2015-16 NCAA College Football Season

In case you haven’t heard, Will Muschamp is now in Auburn. And the former Florida Gators coach has left behind an underwhelming offense that desperately needs a jump start. Enter Jim McElwain, who comes to Gainesville hell-bent on restoring Gators glory. Last season, the Gators finished third in the SEC East with a 4-4 conference record.

Will McElwain right Florida’s ship? Read on for an overview of Florida’s key player this coming season along with the team’s key game, best and worst scenarios and a complete list of the Gators’ 2015-2016 schedule. For more about college football, click here for a preview of Alabama’s season and here for the early Heisman Trophy candidates.
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2015-2016 Florida College Football Preview

Overview

[sc:NCAA240banner ]There’s a new sheriff in town for the Florida Gators, who are +2,800 to win the SEC. After the higher-ups in Florida served Will Muschamp his walking papers last February, it’s clear that the Gators are entering a new era. As Muschamp’s replacement, the Gators hired former Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain. A known offensive guru, McElwain arrives in Florida looking to improve an offense that finished 12th in the SEC in total yards per game.

To do that, he must first decide between Will Grier and Treon Harris, who are competing to be the team’s starting quarterback. Harris has the advantage in experience, having served as Jeff Driskel’s back up in 2014. That season, Harris passed for 1,019 yards and nine touchdowns. Grier was a redshirt freshman last season, but his style could fit McElwain’s offensive schemes better.

In any case, Florida will be protecting the winner of that quarterback battle with a suspect offensive line that has lost all its top linemen from 2014. There’s some experience in the group though, as eight scholarship offensive linemen back in tow.

As for the defense, McElwain and new defensive coordinator Geoff Collins inherit one of the best groups in the nation. That includes an imposing secondary that retains three starters led by two-time All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves. In 2014, Florida ranked 19th in the nation in scoring defense (21.1 points allowed per game) and 15th in total defense (329.8).

Key Player – Kelvin Taylor

With the quarterback situation between Harris and Grier yet to be settled, it’s fair to say that running back Kelvin Taylor is currently the man to watch for Florida. The offensive line’s problems are well-publicized, but Taylor reportedly looked great getting out of the backfield in the spring. McElwain has been known for being in charge of a fast offense that tires its opponents just like what the Rams did under him a season ago. All told, Taylor is primed to see big changes in his numbers this coming season. Last year, Taylor rushed for 565 yards and six scores.

Key Game – @ LSU (Oct. 17)

Les Miles and the rest of the LSU Tigers welcome the Gators in Death Valley. It’s going to be a very tough test for Florida, which will be coming off a road game against another SEC contender in the form of Missouri.  Regardless of what happens in Columbia, the game against LSU will test the character of McElwain’s team. The Gators are 4-6 SU and 5-4-1 ATS in their last 10 matchups with LSU.

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Best/Worst Case Scenario for the Season

Best Case Scenario

Well, it turns out McElwain is some sort of a miracle worker. Despite an average pair of quarterbacks and a new lead running back in Taylor, McElwain manages to somehow find a way to recreate the Rams’ offense that ranked eighth in passing yards (321.6 per game) and 71st in rushing yards (159.3) last year. Muschamp’s solid defense from last year stays sturdy, particularly the secondary, and gives the offense plenty of minutes in possession. In the end, the Gators finish with a 9-3 record, while going 5-3 in conference play.

Worst Case Scenario

Neither Grier nor Harris becomes the competent quarterback McElwain wants to run his schemes. But a large part of the quarterbacks’ struggles is the silly group offensive linemen that does a poor job of keeping opposing pass rushers to getting around and through them. The tough defense is still there for the Gators but without a good offense as a complement, the Gators get another disappointing season. They end with a 5-7 overall record, including a 3-5 SEC slate.

Complete Schedule

DATE | OPPONENT | TIME
Saturday, Sept 5 | vs. New Mexico | 7:30 PM ET
Saturday, Sept 12 | vs ECU | 7:00 PM ET
Saturday, Sept 19 | @Kentucky | 7:30 PM ET
Saturday, Sept 26 | vs Tennessee | TBD
Saturday, Oct 3 | vs Ole Miss | TBD
Saturday, Oct 10 | @Missouri | TBD
Saturday, Oct 17 | @LSU | TBD
Saturday, Oct 31 | vs Georgia | 3:30 PM ET
Saturday, Nov 7 | vs Vanderbilt | TBD
Saturday, Nov 14 | @South Carolina | TBD
Saturday, Nov 21 | vs FAU | TBD
Saturday, November 28 | vs FSU | TBD

Writer’s Prediction

Florida finishes with a 7-5 record (4-4 SEC).
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