Florida Football: Pre-spring game-by-game predictions for 2021

Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen celebrates with his team after the Gators beat the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK
Nov 28, 2020; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators head coach Dan Mullen celebrates with his team after the Gators beat the Kentucky Wildcats at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Nov. 28, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Brad McClenny-USA TODAY NETWORK /
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ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 19: tight end Miller Forristall #87 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts a stiff arm on linebacker Mohamoud Diabate #11 of the Florida Gators in the second half of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – DECEMBER 19: tight end Miller Forristall #87 of the Alabama Crimson Tide attempts a stiff arm on linebacker Mohamoud Diabate #11 of the Florida Gators in the second half of the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 19, 2020 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /

The first real test of the season comes in Week 3 against Alabama and, well, this one won’t be as close as the final score might suggest.

The Crimson Tide are once again replacing an All-American quarterback with a future All-American quarterback and Heisman Trophy contender. Nick Saban just reeled in the best recruiting class in history and he’s reloading at every single position. Sure, he’s losing Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith, but that’s not going to matter.

Alabama wins this one fairly easily.

Final Score: Alabama 38, Florida 27 (2-1, 0-1 SEC)

Jeremy Pruitt will no longer be roaming the sidelines in Tennessee and the program seems to be in shambles yet again. Every time it looks like the Volunteers take a step forward (2019), they take two steps back (2020). This team seems to be cursed.

That’s not going to change under Josh Heupel and the new staff. Florida’s going to race out to a big lead early and cruise to a three-touchdown victory over the Volunteers.

This rivalry will trend more toward the one-sided variety.

Final Score: Tennessee 20, Florida 42 (3-1, 1-1)