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Florida Football: Ranking 2022 opponents by toughness

By Connor Muldowney

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass against Fabien Lovett #0 of the Florida State Seminoles during the third quarter of a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 27: Anthony Richardson #15 of the Florida Gators looks to pass against Fabien Lovett #0 of the Florida State Seminoles during the third quarter of a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on November 27, 2021 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /
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Florida Gators safety Trey Dean III (0) upends Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) with a big hit during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 42
Florida Gators safety Trey Dean III (0) upends Tennessee Volunteers running back Tiyon Evans (8) with a big hit during the football game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers, at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Sept. 25, 2021.Flgai 092521 Ufvs Tennesseefb 42 /

Are you surprised to see South Carolina in the top half of the toughness rankings on an SEC team’s schedule? That’s what hype and the transfer portal can do. When you hire a coach who brings the juice like Shane Beamer has in just one year, people are going to buy in. And when you land a former five-star Heisman-caliber quarterback from the portal, that’s only going to help.

South Carolina addressed a major weakness in the portal, landing Spencer Rattler and Christian Beal-Smith from the transfer portal as the offense figures to rank much higher than 111th.

Think of it this way: South Carolina went 7-6 with the 111th offense in the nation, so just imagine what the record will be with a ranking in the top 60.

Another surprise team in the top half of these rankings is Tennessee. The Volunteers also went 7-6 in their first season under a new head coach as Josh Heupel is getting fans and alumni to buy in again after Jeremy Pruitt ran the program back into the ground.

Hendon Hooker had a huge season after transferring in and winning the starting job over Joe Milton, passing for just under 3,000 yards and 31 touchdowns with just three picks. He’s going to be a problem. Plus, this game will be played in Knoxville which is good for a little boost on the toughness scale as well.

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