Early look: What to like about No. 22 Florida in 2017
Each week, USA TODAY Sports will give a more detailed look at the teams listed on our early top 25 for the 2017 college football season.
Up next: No. 22 Florida. The Gators have made progress under Jim McElwain, twice coming within 60 minutes of a New Year’s Six bowl, but stumbles on offense and a poor record against their rivals — a combined 1-5 mark against Tennessee, Florida State and Alabama — have left a segment of the Florida fan base antsy for more.
Why No. 22?
1. Year 3. After pulling in back-to-back SEC East titles in McElwain’s first two seasons, Florida enters 2017 again as one of the favorites to book a trip to the conference title game — and maybe even as a contender for the College Football Playoff. While there has been some cause for concern, particularly in the lack of growth seen on offense, here’s cause for optimism: McElwain’s third team at Colorado State exploded, meaning the same sort of leap could be in play for the Gators come September.
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2. Depth. Much has been made of Florida’s recruiting under McElwain, which seemed destined for disappointment during the home stretch this winter before being salvaged leading into national signing day. The truth? The program’s recruiting could be better, but even with Georgia’s tremendous signing class earlier this month the Gators have the most depth and experience of any team in the SEC East Division.
3. Manageable schedule. This isn’t to say it’s an easy schedule, not when the Gators take on Michigan, Florida State, LSU and Texas A&M in addition to the normal divisional slate. But Michigan comes in the opener; there will be no better time to face the retooling Wolverines. FSU, LSU and the Aggies come at home. The road slate in league play — Missouri, Kentucky and South Carolina — is doable.
Why not higher?
1. Losses on defense. The Gators’ recent play on defense may render this point moot. Nonetheless, there’s a major overhaul in personnel occurring on defense, with four major contributors gone from the front seven and two outstanding cornerbacks off to the NFL one year ahead of schedule. There are players ready to step into the void, including Duke Dawson and Chauncey Gardner in the secondary and a number of young linemen up front, but the possibility exists for a slight step back in production. What would that mean for Florida if the offense doesn’t improve?
2. Will the offense improve? That remains to be seen. There’s a decision to be made under center: Florida could opt for Luke Del Rio, hoping the former transfer is healthy and capable, or roll the dice on Feleipe Franks, a talented yet untapped redshirt freshman. The offensive line has remained far too inconsistent, to be kind. The receiver corps looks solid, however. The bottom line: Florida must make a distinct improvement across the board to be taken seriously as a national contender.
3. Improving SEC East. First, a disclaimer: The East remains the weaker of the SEC’s two divisions. Yet there are some signs of life, particularly in the high likelihood of Georgia taking a step forward in Kirby Smart’s second season. Add the potential — untapped but still — of Tennessee to bring it all together under Butch Jones and you have a trio of possible top-15 teams atop the division. It won’t be a cakewalk to Atlanta.
Biggest games
►Vs. Tennessee, Sept. 16
►Vs. Georgia (in Jacksonville), Oct. 28
►Vs. Florida State, Nov. 25
Three players to know
1. RB Jordan Scarlett. He deserves to be Florida’s top rushing option after a solid sophomore season. The Gators’ simplest path to victory demands giving Scarlett 20 or more touches on the ground.
2. DL CeCe Jefferson. He can play inside and out, though Jefferson may be needed more along the interior as a sophomore. He has obvious all-conference potential at either tackle or end.
3. OT Jawaan Taylor. One of the nicest surprises of the 2016 season, Taylor enters his second season as an anchor on the strong side of the Gators’ offensive line.
PROJECTED PRESEASON TOP 25
