Gators can make the 2021 College Football Playoff

[SBR Drew]

1. The schedule

One reason there is a “this is the year” crowd is because they have looked at the 2021 schedule and know they get Alabama that season along with a road game at LSU.
This year’s schedule looks incredibly manageable with three softies in the non-conference plus an FSU team in transition, only three true road SEC games, LSU at home and Ole Miss the rotating West team.


2. The roster

Florida lost a lot of talent to the NFL, but only took one hit as far a junior leaving early. As a result, the Gators have some experienced and motivated seniors at the top of the roster.
There is no doubt Dan Mullen has done a great job of filling in what was a depleted number. Just look at the offensive line where John Hevesy will have enough bodies to fill three units.

The roster was a problem last year when the Gators were in the mid-60s with available scholarship players for the FSU game. That problem has been solved.


3. Georgia

The Bulldogs own the SEC East right now no matter how many Florida fans want to point to the closeness of last year’s game and the closing of the gap in recruiting.
But with Georgia being ranked No. 1 in recruiting this season, I’m not sure that the recruiting gap has been closed significantly.
The Bulldogs took some serious personnel losses, especially quarterback Jake Fromm, and the East will likely come down to that one big game in Jacksonville. In a series that has been littered with winning streaks (eight of four or more by both teams), it’s important to note this:
Over the last 12 seasons, each team has run off three in a row twice. Georgia has won the last three. Is it Florida’s time? Well, that’s where Gator fans are oozing optimism.



4. Kyle Trask

One would have to think he’ll be even better with 10 starts under his belt. Trask may be the preseason All-SEC quarterback and has the temperament to handle the spotlight.
He’ll be missing some of the weapons that made him effective, but there’s no shortage of talent at wide receiver and certainly tight end.
5. Continuity

Things could change and often they do after National Signing Day, but right now Florida has the same staff again for next season and that means the players have a comfort level with those coaches and vice versa.
Now, for the downer. The five reasons it may not work out for the Gators:

[SBR Drew]

WR Xzavier Henderson signs with Florida

Henderson is the younger brother of former Florida cornerback CJ Henderson, who recently bypassed his final year of college to enter this years NFL Draft. Over the course of the elder Henderson's time on UF's camps, the younger Henderson was a frequent visitor to The Swamp. Having spent so many times in Gainesville, Henderson felt it was UF's campus that he was most comfortable with.

“The fact I’ve been there so many times it’s my second home,” Henderson said of the decision. “If you go there I can give you the tour.”

[BigdaddyQH]

Florida may be a very good fade against Tennessee in September. The game is in Knottsville. Florida has a very soft schedule until that point while Tennessee is all but guaranteed to have a loss on their record after their game against Oklahoma in Norman. Tennessee will be a much more difficult opponent than of late, knowing that a loss here would just about end any dreams of an SEC East Championship, especially with games against Alabama at home and Georgia in Athens staring them in the face.

[SBR Drew]

Who you like in the SEC Bigdaddy...

[BigdaddyQH]

It is very hard not to like Alabama. They have a returning QB and a solid offense. If the defense improves, and LB Dylan Moses can return to his old form before his injury, 'Bama will be very tough to beat. The open in Dallas against USC, which should test their defense, if nothing else. The host Georgia two weeks later which is a break for 'Bama because Georgia will not have a lot of time to break in a new QB. They play LSU and Tennessee on the road, with a week off in between those games. LSU needs to find a new offense. Every other game that may be tough is at home.