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Florida Football: Way too early predictions for 2021 schedule

By Jackson Caudell

Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2020; Arlington, TX, USA; Florida Gators quarterback Emory Jones (5) throws a pass against the Oklahoma Sooners in the third quarter at ATT Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Emory Jones, Florida football. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Emory Jones, Florida football. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Despite losing star talent on offense, don’t expect Florida Football to take a big step back in the 2021 season

Florida football took a big step forward in 2020 by winning the SEC East and getting back to the SEC championship for the first time since 2016. The Gators had one of the best offenses in the country and were one of the only teams last season to make Alabama sweat a little bit.

Dan Mullen seems to have been the right hire for the program and the Gators future looks bright. The next step for the program will be to win the SEC and make the college football playoff.

Despite the positives of last season, Florida still has some questions to answer as a program. Florida enters into the 2021 season on a three-game losing streak and one of those was a shocking loss to LSU, in which the Gators were a three-touchdown favorite.

The loss to Alabama is nothing to be ashamed of, but the performance in the Cotton Bowl loss to Oklahoma put a damper on the momentum that the Gators built and they will be looking to be the team that was in the thick of the playoff race instead of the one that ended the season.

Florida is obviously losing a lot of talent on offense, including tight end Kyle Pitts, Heisman finalist Kyle Trask and receivers Kadarius Toney and Travon Grimes. If anyone is going to replace Pitts, it will be LSU transfer tight end Arik Gilbert. Gilbert is one of the highest-rated tight end recruits ever and is a mismatch problem similar to Pitts.

Emory Jones is set to finally get his chance at quarterback and while there are going to be questions about his passing ability, Jones is a good athlete and Dan Mullen is one of the best offensive minds in the game and always does a good job of tailoring to his quarterback’s strengths.

Florida will need to be better on the defensive side of the ball in 2021. Florida fans were not pleased with the fact that defensive coordinator Todd Grantham is back, but I think that the Gator’s defense has a chance to be better.

While I don’t think a playoff run is in the cards, Florida football won’t be an easy out for any team it plays. Here are my way too early 2021 predictions for Florida’s schedule.

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