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Florida Football: 3 Reasons to Watch 2018 Peach Bowl vs. Michigan

By John Mitchell

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators runs with the football during the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 17: Emory Jones #5 of the Florida Gators runs with the football during the second half of their game against the Idaho Vandals at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
(Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

1. Florida could get a glimpse of their QB of the future

By all accounts, Feleipe Franks has shown improvement from his freshman-to-sophomore season in Gainesville, growing and developing under noted QB-whisperer Dan Mullen. Franks was demonstrably better in 2018 than he was in 2017, but his struggles in the biggest games against the better defenses still leaves fans wondering if he is the right man for the job going forward.

Franks’ four worst games of the season came against Kentucky, LSU, Georgia, and Missouri, which were not coincidentally four of the best defenses he faced all season long. It’s also no coincidence that the Gators went 1-3 in those contests.

Florida fans are eager for an extended look at true freshman QB Emory Jones, and Mullen has wisely managed his games played to allow him to retain his redshirt this season even if he plays in the bowl game.

The former four-star recruit has shown flashes of brilliance, most notably getting an extended look against Idaho a couple of weeks ago. He’ll have an extra month of preparation to get the playbook down, and he’ll almost certainly have some packages against the Wolverines.

Franks will get the start because he has earned that, particularly with strong play over the final three games of the regular season to clinch Florida’s spot in the New Year’s Six. If he struggles, however, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Mullen give an extended look to Jones.

Next. 3 Reasons to watch Georgia vs. Texas in the Sugar Bowl. dark

If Jones plays well, then that could open the door for a fierce QB competition in the Swamp heading into 2019.

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