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Florida Football: 5 reasons Gators will be contenders in 2019

By Connor Muldowney

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Kadarius Toney #4 of the Florida Gators crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 10: Kadarius Toney #4 of the Florida Gators crosses the goal line for a touchdown during the game against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 10, 2018 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Freddie Swain #16 and Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL – OCTOBER 27: Freddie Swain #16 and Feleipe Franks #13 of the Florida Gators celebrates a touchdown during a game against the Georgia Bulldogs at TIAA Bank Field on October 27, 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images) /

4. Schedule somewhat favors Gators

Last year, Florida finished 10-3 with losses to Kentucky, Georgia and Missouri which were relatively surprising because two of those were thought to be sure wins.

This season, the Gators get a rematch with Kentucky in Week 3 on the road after a Week 0 matchup with Miami, and followed by three straight home games.

Florida should begin the season 5-0 and then it hits a rough stretch agents Auburn at home, at LSU, at South Carolina and versus Georgia in Jacksonville. If the Gators can go 2-2 or even 3-1 during that stretch, they’ll have a smooth finish to the year with Vanderbilt, Missouri and Florida State. Those are three games that should be sure wins.

The worst-case scenario, given the schedule, in 2019 has to be a 9-3 season but 10-2 is highly possible and 11-1 is in the picture. While I don’t see the Gators going undefeated, one loss in the SEC East will be enough to contend for the division, especially if they can beat Georgia.

No Alabama and no Texas A&M is a major win as both will be fighting for the SEC West crown. This schedule plays in the Gators’ favor.

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