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Florida Football: 5 bold predictions for Gators’ 2019 season

By Briley Hughes

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a third quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 29: Lamical Perine #22 of the Florida Gators is congratulated by his teammates after scoring a third quarter touchdown against the Michigan Wolverines during the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 13: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators is greeted by teammates on the sideline after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN – OCTOBER 13: Freddie Swain #16 of the Florida Gators is greeted by teammates on the sideline after scoring a touchdown against the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

2. Florida wins first Florida Cup since 2008

Better known as the Championship of Florida, the Florida Cup is given to either Florida, Florida State or Miami in the years all three teams play each other.

Many fans are unfamiliar with this unique trophy because it has been awarded only five times since its creation in 2002. 2019 marks the first opportunity for the trophy to change hands since the 2013 season when Florida State beat both Florida and Miami.

Florida’s season is bookended by games against its in-state rivals.

Florida opens the season – and the 150th season of college football – against the Hurricanes. Both teams are trending up, though Miami has yet to show its development behind new coach Manny Diaz on the field. Most experts agree that Florida is the better team and should walk away from Orlando with a victory.

Same situation, different team in Tallahassee. Florida State had a nightmare season under first-year coach Willie Taggart. The Seminoles project to be improved in year-two, but will most likely be underdogs against the Gators in their annual matchup Thanksgiving weekend.

Anything but a sweep against Miami and Florida State will be a massive disappointment in Gainesville. If they’re able to secure the Florida Cup, the Gators will hold it until at least 2024 – the next year all three teams will play again.

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